Blintz vs. Crepe — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 3, 2023
Blintzes are thin pancakes typically filled and folded, while crepes are delicate, unfilled thin pancakes often rolled or folded with various toppings.
Difference Between Blintz and Crepe
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Key Differences
Blintz and crepe are both types of thin pancakes, but they originate from different cultures and have unique characteristics. A blintz is a traditional Eastern European pancake often filled with sweet cheese or fruit, folded, and then sautéed or baked. In contrast, a crepe is a thinner, French pancake that is not filled before cooking but is commonly filled and rolled or folded afterwards with ingredients ranging from simple sugar to complex savory fillings.
Blintzes are typically made with a batter that includes eggs, flour, milk, and sometimes a leavening agent, resulting in a slightly thicker pancake than crepe batter, which is usually egg, flour, and milk, with the batter rested to allow gluten to relax for a supple texture. While crepes can be served either sweet or savory, blintzes are traditionally served sweet with fillings like cheese or fruit, and then finished with a light frying or baking.
Serving traditions for blintzes and crepes also vary. Blintzes are often served with sour cream or applesauce and are associated with Jewish cuisine and celebrations. Crepes, on the other hand, are a staple in French cuisine, served at any meal, with a variety of fillings and sauces, from the simple addition of lemon juice and sugar to complex fillings like chicken and mushrooms in a béchamel sauce.
In terms of preparation, blintzes require a two-step process: the pancakes are cooked, filled, and then cooked again, while crepes are typically cooked once on a specialized crepe maker or in a pan, then immediately filled and served. Despite these differences, both blintzes and crepes are beloved for their delicate texture and versatility in accommodating a wide range of fillings and flavors.
Blintzes are often part of festive meals and can be sweet or savory, though the sweet cheese variety is most common. Crepes are equally at home in fine dining establishments as they are at street fairs, embodying the French flair for turning simple ingredients into elegant and versatile dishes. Both blintzes and crepes offer endless possibilities, whether they're served as a main dish, a dessert, or an enticing snack.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Eastern European
French
Filling
Filled before final cooking
Filled after cooking
Cooking Process
Cooked, filled, and cooked again
Cooked once
Texture
Slightly thicker
Very thin and delicate
Common Serving Occasions
Festive meals, breakfast
Any meal, dessert, street food
Compare with Definitions
Blintz
A thin pancake filled with sweet cheese or fruit.
For breakfast, she enjoyed a blintz topped with blueberry compote.
Crepe
A pancake made from a fluid batter cooked on a hot surface.
For his brunch, he chose a savory crepe filled with ham and cheese.
Blintz
An Eastern European dish typically made from a thin batter.
The blintz was served with a dollop of sour cream on top.
Crepe
Can be eaten as a dessert, main dish, or street food.
They had crepes for dinner, experimenting with different fillings.
Blintz
A pancake that is filled, folded, and then sautéed or baked.
My grandmother's recipe for a cheese blintz is my favorite.
Crepe
A delicate and versatile dish served in countless variations.
The restaurant's specialty crepe featured seasonal berries and cream.
Blintz
A rolled pancake with a filling, often fried after being filled.
He prepared a blintz as part of the traditional Hanukkah meal.
Crepe
A very thin, light pancake originating from France.
She sprinkled sugar and squeezed lemon juice over her crepe.
Blintz
A food item commonly associated with Jewish cuisine.
During the holiday, we shared a delicious homemade blintz.
Crepe
Often served with a variety of sweet or savory fillings.
At the fair, the chocolate and banana crepe was a hit.
Blintz
A blintz (Hebrew: חֲבִיתִית; Yiddish: בלינצע) is a popular traditional cigar-shaped filled pancake of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, similar to a crepe or the Russian blin. Blintzes are commonly filled with farmer's cheese or fruit.
Crepe
A light, thin fabric with a wrinkled surface
A crêpe bandage
Blintz
A thin pancake, usually wrapped around a cheese filling, sautéed or baked, and topped with sour cream, fruit, or powdered sugar.
Crepe
A thin pancake.
Blintz
A thin blin pancake, filled (often with sweet cheese) and folded, then fried and often served with sour cream, fruit, or a sweet sauce.
Crepe
A light soft thin fabric of silk, cotton, wool, or another fiber, with a crinkled surface. Also called crape.
Blintz
A thin wheat pancake folded around a filling (such as cheese or fruit) and sauteed, fried, or baked.
Crepe
See crape.
Blintz
(Judaism) thin pancake folded around a filling and fried or baked
Crepe
Crepe paper.
Crepe
Crepe rubber.
Crepe
(also krĕp) A very thin pancake, often wrapped around a sweet or savory filling.
Crepe
A flat round pancake-like pastry from Lower Brittany, made with wheat.
Crepe
A soft thin light fabric with a crinkled surface.
Crepe
Crepe paper; thin, crinkled tissue paper.
Crepe
Rubber in sheets, used especially for shoe soles.
The policeman wore crepe-soled shoes.
Crepe
(Ireland) A death notice printed on white card with a background of black crepe paper or cloth, placed on the door of a residence or business.
Crepe
(transitive) To crease (paper) in such a way to make it look like crepe paper
Crepe
(transitive) To frizz (the hair).
Crepe
Same as Crape.
Crepe
Any of various crapelike fabrics, whether crinkled or not.
Crepe
A small thin pancake.
Crepe
Paper with a finely crinkle texture, usually sold in rolls of 2-3 inches width; crepe paper; - it is usually colored brightly and used for decoration.
Crepe
Paper with a crinkled texture; usually colored and used for decorations
Crepe
Small very thin pancake
Crepe
A soft thin light fabric with a crinkled surface
Crepe
Cover or drape with crape;
Crape the mirror
Common Curiosities
What is a blintz?
A blintz is a thin, rolled pancake typically filled with sweet cheese or fruit, then fried or baked.
Are crepes always sweet?
No, crepes can be both sweet and savory, depending on the filling.
What makes a crepe different from other pancakes?
A crepe is thinner and more delicate than most other pancakes and is often served with a variety of fillings.
Can blintzes be savory?
Yes, blintzes can also have savory fillings like meat or potatoes.
Are blintzes served hot or cold?
Blintzes are typically served hot or warm.
What's the traditional blintz filling?
The traditional filling is sweetened cheese, often cottage or ricotta.
Can blintzes be made ahead of time?
Yes, blintzes can be prepared ahead of time and reheated or cooked when ready to serve.
Is a blintz a breakfast food?
While blintzes can be eaten for breakfast, they're also served for other meals and during festive occasions.
What's the best way to flip a crepe?
Use a thin spatula or toss it in the air by jerking the pan if you're skilled.
How thin should a crepe be?
Crepes should be very thin, almost paper-like in texture.
Do I need a special pan to make crepes?
A specialized crepe pan is not necessary but can make the process easier.
Are blintzes gluten-free?
Traditional blintzes are not gluten-free, but they can be made with gluten-free flour.
Can I freeze blintzes or crepes?
Both blintzes and crepes can be frozen, either before or after filling.
What's a popular topping for crepes?
Popular toppings include Nutella, fruit compote, whipped cream, or simply sugar and lemon.
Can I use any type of flour for crepes?
While all-purpose flour is standard, you can experiment with others like buckwheat for different flavors.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
