11 Absolute Best Cheeses for Crepes
When it comes to making delicious crepes, choosing the right cheese can take your dish to a whole new level of deliciousness. The right cheese adds flavor, texture, and creaminess to your crepes and creates the perfect balance with other ingredients. In this article, we will explore the 11 absolute best cheeses for crepes, each with its own unique qualities that make it shine in this classic French dish.
Gruyere
With its nutty and slightly sweet flavor, Gruyere is a Swiss cheese that adds a delightful depth to savory crepes. Its smooth and creamy texture melts beautifully, creating a velvety filling that holds all the other elements together. Gruyere pairs beautifully with ingredients such as ham, mushrooms or spinach, enhancing their flavors for a rich and indulgent experience.
Emmental
Also from Switzerland, Emmental is known for its distinctive large holes and mild, nutty flavor. Its subtle flavors complement the ingredients without overpowering them, resulting in a harmonious combination. Its semi-firm texture adds a delightful chewiness to crêpes. Emmental melts smoothly and provides a creamy background for fillings such as smoked salmon, roasted vegetables or chicken.
Goat Cheese
For those looking for a tangy and slightly acidic twist, goat cheese is a fantastic choice for savory crepes. With its creamy and crumbly texture, goat cheese softens when heated, adding a delightful creaminess to the filling. Pair it with roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, or fresh herbs for a burst of vibrant flavors that perfectly balance the tang of the cheese.
Brie
Known for its soft, creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor, Brie is a cheese that exudes elegance. It melts beautifully, creating a luscious filling that adds a touch of luxury to your crepes. Try pairing Brie with ingredients like prosciutto, arugula or sauteed mushrooms. The creamy and delicate flavors of Brie will enhance the savory elements of the filling, resulting in a delightful and sophisticated dining experience.
Cheddar
Cheddar is a classic cheese that brings a rich, sharp flavor to your crêpes. It has a firm and crumbly texture and melts beautifully, adding a satisfying gooeyness to your crepe fillings. Cheddar works well with ingredients like bacon, caramelized onions or roasted vegetables, adding a bold and robust flavor.
Feta
Feta cheese is a Greek treasure with a distinctly salty and tangy flavor. Traditionally crumbly, its texture is a delightful contrast to the softness of the crepe. Feta pairs beautifully with Mediterranean-inspired fillings such as sun-dried tomatoes, olives or fresh herbs. Its unique flavor cuts through richer ingredients, adding a refreshing and savory element to the crepes.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is a mild and creamy cheese with an elastic and stringy texture. It melts beautifully, creating a gooey and cheesy filling in your crepes. Mozzarella works well with a variety of savory fillings such as tomato sauce, basil or Italian cured meats, adding a touch of indulgence to your crepe creations. Its delicate flavor allows the other ingredients to shine, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavors.
Camembert
Camembert, with its creamy and earthy flavor, is a luxurious addition to savory crepes. Its soft and gooey texture melts beautifully, enveloping the filling in a velvety embrace. Pair Camembert with ingredients like mushrooms, thyme or caramelized apples for a delightful combination of sweet and savory. The rich and indulgent nature of Camembert elevates crepes to a gourmet level.
Blue Cheese
With its bold and distinctive flavor, blue cheese brings a tangy and savory element to crêpes. Its crumbly texture provides a delightful contrast that makes every bite a flavorful experience. Blue cheese pairs beautifully with ingredients such as caramelized onions, walnuts or pears, balancing the sharpness of the cheese with the sweetness of other ingredients. The cheese’s ability to melt beautifully adds a creamy and luxurious element to the filling, making it an excellent choice for flavor enthusiasts.
Parmesan
Known for its rich and nutty flavor, Parmesan adds a savory kick to crêpes. Its hard and grainy texture allows for easy grating, making it a convenient option for sprinkling on filled crepes or incorporating into the batter. Parmesan pairs well with a variety of fillings, including spinach, mushrooms, or roasted vegetables, and enhances the savory notes of the dish. As the Parmesan melts, it forms a creamy and slightly crunchy layer that adds a delightful texture to your crepes.
Fontina
Fontina cheese is a semi-soft Italian cheese with a buttery and slightly nutty flavor. It melts beautifully, creating a smooth and creamy filling for your crepes. Fontina pairs well with ingredients such as prosciutto, caramelized onions, or roasted garlic, adding a luxurious and indulgent touch to the overall flavor. Its mild and smooth flavor allows other ingredients to shine, while providing a velvety backdrop of creaminess.
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is a mild and creamy American cheese that melts exceptionally well. Its smooth texture and subtle flavors make it a versatile choice for savory crepes. Monterey Jack complements a variety of fillings, including grilled chicken, bell peppers or avocado, adding a creamy and comforting element to your crepes. Its mild flavor profile allows the other ingredients to shine while providing a pleasing melt-in-the-mouth experience.
Bottom line
Choosing the right cheese for your savory crepes can elevate the flavors and textures of your dish to new heights. From the nuttiness of Gruyere to the tang of goat cheese, each cheese brings its own unique qualities that enhance the overall culinary experience. Whether you prefer a mild and creamy option like Emmental or a bolder choice like blue cheese, there is a cheese that perfectly complements your desired fillings. Experiment with different combinations and let your taste buds guide you to find the best cheese for your savory crepes. Enjoy the delightful journey of creating and enjoying these delicious French delicacies.
FAQS
What are the best cheeses to make savory crepes?
The best cheeses for savory crepes include Gruyere, Emmental, Goat Cheese, Brie, Cheddar, Feta, Mozzarella, Camembert, Blue Cheese, Parmesan, Fontina, and Monterey Jack.
What flavors do these cheeses bring to crêpes?
These cheeses bring a wide range of flavors to crepes, such as nutty (Gruyere), mild and nutty (Emmental), tangy and creamy (Goat Cheese), buttery and mild (Brie), rich and sharp (Cheddar), salty and tangy (Feta), mild and creamy (mozzarella), creaminess and earthiness (camembert), bold and distinctive (blue cheese), rich and nutty (parmesan), buttery and slightly nutty (fontina), and mild and creamy (Monterey jack).
Can these cheeses be used in both sweet and savory crepes?
Yes, these cheeses can be used in both sweet and savory crepes. While this article focuses on the best cheeses for savory crepes, many of these cheeses can also be used in sweet variations, depending on personal preference.
What are some popular fillings that go well with these cheeses?
Popular fillings that pair well with these cheeses include ham, mushrooms, spinach, roasted vegetables, smoked salmon, caramelized onions, fresh herbs, prosciutto, arugula, sautéed mushrooms, bacon, roasted red peppers, Mediterranean-inspired ingredients (such as sun-dried tomatoes and olives), tomato sauce, basil, Italian cured meats, mushrooms, thyme, caramelized apples, caramelized garlic, spinach, and grilled chicken.
Are these cheeses easy to melt?
Yes, these cheeses melt easily. They have different melting properties, with some becoming smooth and creamy when heated (such as Gruyere, Emmental, Brie, goat cheese, Mozzarella, Camembert, and Fontina), while others melt into a gooey and cheesy texture (such as Cheddar, Blue Cheese, and Monterey Jack). Parmesan typically forms a creamy and slightly crunchy layer when melted.