British · serves 2

Crumpets

A yeasted batter cooked in rings on a pan. No oven needed and the holes make themselves.

75 min Some work Vegetarian No oven needed

Ingredients

  • 250ml milk
  • 60ml water
  • 7g dried yeast
  • 1 tsp caster sugar
  • 225g strong white bread flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Butter to serve

Method

  1. Warm the milk and water to lukewarm, stir in the yeast and sugar, and leave 10-15 minutes until foamy.
  2. Sift flour and salt, make a well, pour the yeast liquid in and beat to a smooth batter.
  3. Cover and prove 45 minutes until light and frothy. Those bubbles become the holes.
  4. Grease crumpet rings and a frying pan.
  5. Rings in the pan on medium heat, batter spooned in about 1.5cm deep.
  6. Cook until the tops are covered in burst holes and look dry — about 8 minutes on a gentle heat.
  7. Lift the rings, flip, and give them a minute to colour. Toast and butter them.

Questions people ask about Crumpets

How long does Crumpets take?

About 75 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of maida in Crumpets?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make Crumpets ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Crumpets vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Can I make Crumpets without an oven?

That is exactly what this recipe is for. It uses a pressure cooker, a pan or the fridge instead of an oven, and the method here is written for that, not adapted from a baked version.

What do you serve with Crumpets?

Toast and butter them. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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