These ham and cheese crepes make a fun and easy dinner or lunch recipe loved by the whole family – fussy kids and toddlers included! Inspired by French crepes made with buckwheat flour, these are made with a mixture of buckwheat and plain flour.
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A simple batter is made into savoury buckwheat pancakes, topped with ham, cheese and baby spinach leaves and then cooked until the cheese has melted, the spinach wilted and the ham warmed through.
Why we love this recipe
- These crepes can be enjoyed for brunch, lunch or dinner.
- They are an easy meal that both toddlers and adults enjoy.
- I’ve found savoury crepes and pancakes like pumpkin pancakes and corn drop scones to be a great way of vegetable being enjoyed by even the fussiest of eaters.
- Ham and cheese – one of our favourite combinations! (If your family loves it too, check out these ham and cheese pinwheels, Jambons (ham and cheese puff pastry parcels) and ham and cheese pasta)
Ingredient Notes
- Buckwheat Flour – buckwheat flour has quite a strong taste, therefor to make these crepes more toddler friendly I have mixed it with plain wheat flour. It adds a lovely savoury flavour to the crepes and is slightly nutty.
- Ham – any good sliced ham works well. Or you could use leftover cooked ham or gammon, and finely shred it.
- Cheese – I use a basic cheddar cheese, but you could use gruyere cheese or a vintage cheddar.
FAQ
What is Buckwheat Flour?
Buckwheat flour is ground buckwheat, which is actually a seed and not a grain. It is a gluten free and grain free flour which has a slightly nutty taste.
What can I do with buckwheat flour?
Add it to scones, breads and cookies. It also makes delicious banana bread and blinis.
What goes with crepes for dinner?
Serve them with a leafy salad, coleslaw, or tomato and basil salad.
My Recipe Tips
- Get your filling ingredients ready before you start to cook the crepes – grate the cheese, wash the spinach and chop the ham.
- To make vegetarian crepes: leave out the ham
- This galette batter uses more water than milk, as I find this produces less rich galettes, which I prefer when serving as savoury pancakes.
- If possible leave the crepe batter to rest for at least 30 minutes.
- If the batter thickens after being kept in the fridge, add another tablespoon of water.
- Other filling ideas : sliced fried mushrooms, an egg, smoked salmon, brie…buckwheat pancakes are such a great base for a variety of fillings!
Make Ahead/Leftovers
The batter can be made ahead of time, even the night before. The crepes themselves are best eaten freshly made.
More easy French recipes you may like
Ham and Cheese Crepes
Author: Robyn
These savoury buckwheat pancakes with ham, cheese and spinach, are delicious for lunch, dinner and brunch!
Ingredients
- 100g (¾c) buckwheat flour ($1.00 / £0.34p)
- 100g (¾c) plain flour ($0.12 / £0.05p)
- 1 egg, size large. beaten ($0.35 / £0.18p)
- 175ml (¾c) cold water, plus 2-3 tablespoon extra, if needed ($0 / £0)
- 125ml (½c) milk ($0.20 / £0.08p)
- 1-2 tablespoon olive oil, to fry the crepes ($0.24 / £0.12p)
Crepe Filling
- 3-4 slices (100-125g) depending on size cooked ham, shredded ($2.10 / £2.00)
- handful baby spinach, finely shredded ($1.00 / £0.15p)
- 125g (1c) cheddar cheese, grated ($1.45 / £1.00)
Instructions
Make the batter:
- Mix the buckwheat and plain flours together in a mixing bowl.
- Add the beaten egg, then the water and milk.
- Whisk to a smooth batter. It should be the consistency of runny/heavy cream – if it isn't, add 1-2 tablespoons of water.
- Cover and leave in fridge for an hour, or overnight. If it thickens in the fridge, add a tablespoon more water to thin slightly back to the consistency of cream.
To make the crepes:
- Heat a non stick frying pan over a medium heat add add a teaspoon of oil.
- Spoon 2 tablespoon batter into the pan, swirling it slightly. Fry for a couple of minutes, until the top is mostly set, then flip over.
- As soon as you flip the crepe over, sprinkle with some ham, then a little spinach and then some cheese. Leave 30 seconds or so, then fold two opposite edges over to meet in the middle. Press them slightly with the spatula to make them stay.
- Cook for another minute, or until the cheese is melted and the bottom of the crepe is golden, then remove to a plate and cover to keep warm whilst you make the rest of the crepes.
- Repeat the steps, until all the batter and filling has been used.
- Eat the crepes straight away.
Notes
Estimated costs: Australia $6.46. Per serve = $1.62
UK £3.92. Per serve = £0.98p
America – I am yet to calculate the estimated ingredients costs to make this recipe in the US. If you would find it useful please contact me and I’ll get calculating 🙂
Buckwheat Flour – buckwheat flour has quite a strong taste, therefor to make these crepes ore toddler friendly I have mixed it with plain wheat flour. It adds a lovely savoury flavour to the crepes and is slightly nutty. Blinis
Ham – any good sliced ham works well. Or you could use leftover cooked ham or gammon, finely shredded
Cheese – I use a basic cheddar cheese, but you could use gruyere cheese or a vintage cheddar.
Other Toppings: sliced fried mushrooms, a fried egg, smoked salmon, brie, goats cheese…buckwheat pancakes are such a great base for a variety of fillings!
Nutrition
Calories: 530kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 26gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 628mgPotassium: 423mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 564IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 378mgIron: 4mg
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Or just leave a comment below!
Sally says
These sound really good, and I bet the filling possibilities could be endless!
Robyn says
Totally! Ham, mushroom and cheese or spinach and cheese spring to mind, but will definitely be experimenting with other fillings!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
My new favourite! I love this combination, and it is the ideal weekend treat.
Robyn says
Thankyou Alexandra! It’s a favourite of mine too!
Gavin says
These look great and are pretty simple. Might try them on the toddler during the week
Robyn says
Thanks Gavin! They are super simple – and my toddler devoured it even though he’s not so keen on ham!