7 Savory Crêpes You Can Eat for Dinner

From earthy mushroom-and-cheese-filled buckwheat crêpes to Vietnamese-inspired pancakes, here are seven savory crêpes to make for dinner.

Lumpiang Sariwa
Photo: Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell

When you think crêpes, you might envision crêpes suzette, the dramatic dish flambéed with brandy and Grand Marnier, or warm brown-butter crêpes with nutella and jam. But before you get to dessert, you can also enjoy the deliciously delicate pancakes as a main course.

Crispy Vietnamese Crêpes with Shrimp, Pork, and Bean Sprouts

Crispy Vietnamese Crêpes with Shrimp, Pork and Bean Sprouts
© Quentin Bacon

Star chef Charles Phan's take on banh xeo, aka "happy pancakes," are lacy thin and crackly crisp, made with a batter of pureed mung beans, coconut milk, rice flour, and scallions.

Buckwheat Crêpes with Wild Mushrooms and Gruyère

Buckwheat Crêpes with Wild Mushrooms and Gruyère
© Phoebe Lapine

Mixed wild mushrooms are sautéed with garlic, shallots, and white wine, then paired with creamy, subtly sweet Gruyère to give these hearty vegetarian crêpes terrific umami flavor.

Barley Crêpes with Cabbage and Sauce Pierre

Barley Crepes with Brassicas and Sauce Pierre
At Canlis in Seattle, Best New Chef Brady Williams balances classic components with modern techniques. For his Barley Crêpes with Cabbage and Sauce Pierre, Williams envelops grilled fermented cabbage in a savory buckwheat crêpe, accompanied by rich sauce Pierre. The cabbage in this barley crêpe calls for naturally fermented Japanese ayu fish sauce. Sweeter and milder than the Vietnamese version; ayu fish sauce is available at well-stocked Asian grocery stores and at tokyocentral.com. You can order the shio koji and black vinegar in this recipe at amazon.com. Greg DuPree

For this recipe, 2018 F&W Best New Chef Brady Williams envelops grilled fermented cabbage in a savory buckwheat crêpe, accompanied by a rich sauce made from butter, shallots, dry vermouth, and cream.

Crespelle with Ricotta and Marinara

Crespelle with Ricotta and Marinara

Crespelle is the Italian version of crêpes, and just like their French counterparts, they can be sweet or savory. In this recipe from chef Tony Mantuano, lush ricotta-filled crêpes bake in a rich marinara sauce. Round out the dish by serving these with a pour of a Tuscan red wine blend.

Lumpiang Sariwa (Fresh Filipino Spring Rolls)

Lumpiang Sariwa
Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell

For his lumpiang sariwa recipe, 2021 F&W Best New Chef Carlo Lamagna skips the deep fryer. Instead, he makes these tender spring rolls by wrapping delicate homemade coconut crêpes around lettuce leaves filled with fresh vegetables, making for a nice appetizer or light meal.

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Crêpes

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Crêpes

These extra-large 12-inch crêpes are slathered with shallot, caper, and dill-studded cream cheese, then topped with smoked salmon, spinach salad, and plum tomatoes.

Open-Faced Buckwheat Crêpes with Tuna, Arugula, and Dijon Vinaigrette

Open-Faced Buckwheat Crêpes with Tuna, Arugula and Dijon Vinaigrette
© Phoebe Lapine

This crêpe dish showcases a tuna salad made with tart green apple, shallot, mayonnaise, and lemon juice, topped with fresh arugula and a simple mustard vinaigrette. Be sure to buy the best olive oil-packed tuna you can find for the most delicious results.

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