Hot buttered crumpets

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Rest Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 8–10 crumpets
Difficulty: Easy
Course: Breakfast, Snack, Tea Time
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour

• 1½ teaspoons instant yeast

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ¾ teaspoon salt

• 1¾ cups (420 ml) warm milk (or half water, half milk)

• Butter (for serving and greasing rings)

Optional: ½ teaspoon baking soda (can help form more open holes)
You’ll need crumpet rings or metal pastry rings (3–4 inches wide). If unavailable, you can use cleaned tuna cans with both ends removed.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Batter

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.

2. Gradually add the warm milk, whisking or stirring until you get a smooth, thick batter (thicker than pancake batter but pourable).

3. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rest in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until bubbly and slightly risen.

You should see bubbles on the surface — this means your yeast is active and ready!

Step 2: Add Baking Powder

After the first rise, stir in the baking powder. Let the batter rest for another 10–15 minutes while you heat the pan.

This gives crumpets their characteristic texture with lots of little holes.

Step 3: Prepare to Cook

1. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.

2. Grease the inside of your crumpet rings and lightly oil the pan.

3. Place rings on the skillet and pour in batter to about ¾ inch deep (don’t fill to the top — the batter will rise).

If your batter is too thick, thin with 1–2 tablespoons of warm water.

Step 4: Cook the Crumpets

1. Cook for 6–8 minutes, until the surface has formed bubbles and looks dry around the edges. The top should be full of holes and no longer shiny.

2. Remove the rings carefully, then flip each crumpet and cook for another 1–2 minutes to lightly brown the top.

Repeat with remaining batter, greasing the rings each time.

Step 5: Serve Hot with Butter

Toast the crumpets (if cooled), then serve them hot with butter. The butter melts into the little holes — pure joy!

Serving Suggestions

Crumpets are delicious on their own, but here are a few delicious toppings:

Traditional

• Salted butter

• Honey or golden syrup

• Strawberry or raspberry jam

Modern Twists

• Peanut butter & banana slices

• Cream cheese and smoked salmon

• Avocado and poached egg

• Cinnamon sugar & a drizzle of maple syrup

Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store cooled crumpets in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the toaster.

Nutrition Information (Per Crumpet, without toppings)

Adding butter increases the calories by ~35–50 per tablespoon.