Banana Crepes are a truly delightful treat, gracefully filled with creamy custard, sweet banana slices, and crunchy walnuts. This recipe allows you to prepare both the delicate crepes and the rich custard ahead of time, ensuring a quick and effortless assembly when you’re ready to serve. Perfect for a memorable breakfast, a leisurely brunch, or even a sophisticated dessert, these crepes promise a delicious experience for any occasion.

Indulge in Homemade Banana Crepes with Creamy Custard and Toasted Walnuts

These exquisite Banana Crepes were originally inspired by a special Valentine’s Day breakfast created for my boys. I wanted to craft something truly unique and heartwarming, so I took the extra step of cutting fresh bananas into charming little heart shapes, nestled them within perfectly homemade, tender crepes, and generously spooned in a luscious, creamy custard. To add a delightful texture and nutty flavor, I finished them with their favorite chopped walnuts. The outcome was so incredibly delicious and visually appealing that I simply had to share this recipe with everyone on the blog!

While these crepes are absolutely ideal for making any ordinary day feel special, whether it’s for breakfast or brunch, the playful touch of heart-shaped bananas transforms them into an extra sweet and thoughtful treat, perfect for celebrations like Valentine’s Day or even a romantic weekend morning. They are a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Banana Crepes

Crafting the best banana crepes starts with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired texture, flavor, and overall excellence of this delightful dish. Here’s a deeper look into the ingredients you’ll need and why they matter:

• Milk: For an incredibly rich flavor and the most tender crepe texture, whole milk is highly recommended. Its higher fat content contributes significantly to the crepes’ delicate structure and luscious mouthfeel.
• Flour: Accuracy in measuring flour is paramount to avoid a dense, heavy batter. Always spoon flour lightly into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. This technique prevents over-packing the flour, ensuring light and airy crepes.
• Sugar: A touch of sugar in the crepe batter adds a subtle sweetness and helps with achieving that beautiful golden-brown color during cooking. If you plan to use these crepes for savory fillings, you can easily reduce the sugar amount to your preference.
• Salt: Don’t underestimate the power of a tiny pinch of salt! It’s essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in both the crepes and the custard, making them taste more vibrant and complex.
• Butter: Melted butter is incorporated into the crepe batter for richness and a smooth consistency. Additionally, using a small amount of butter to grease the pan between crepes ensures a perfect golden finish and prevents sticking, contributing to their appealing appearance.
• Vanilla Extract: This classic flavor enhancer adds a warm, aromatic note that complements the banana and custard beautifully. For a delightful twist, consider swapping it with almond extract to introduce a slightly different, yet equally delicious, flavor profile.
• Eggs: Using room-temperature eggs for your crepe batter is a simple yet effective trick. They emulsify more easily with the other ingredients, resulting in a remarkably smoother and more uniform batter, which in turn leads to perfectly consistent crepes.
• Custard: The creamy custard filling is the heart of these crepes. It’s vital to chill the custard completely before you begin the assembly process. A well-chilled custard will be thicker and much easier to spread evenly onto the crepes, preventing a runny mess.
• Bananas: For the best results, especially if you’re aiming for those charming heart shapes or simply want your slices to hold their form, choose firm, ripe bananas. They maintain their structure better when sliced and offer a pleasant texture contrast to the soft crepes and custard.
• Walnuts: The addition of walnuts provides a wonderful textural crunch and a distinct nutty flavor. To elevate their taste, lightly toast the chopped walnuts in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the crepes. This simple step brings out their inherent oils and intensifies their flavor.

How To Make Delicious Banana Crepes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making perfect banana crepes might seem daunting, but with these clear steps and helpful tips, you’ll be swirling and flipping like a pro in no time! The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the ability to prepare components ahead, making entertaining a breeze.

1. Prepare the Crepe Batter: Combine all crepe ingredients in a high-powered blender. Blend on low speed until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined, typically 10-15 seconds. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the blender with a spatula, then blend for a few more seconds. The most crucial step here is allowing the batter to chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour (or even overnight). This resting period is essential as it allows the flour to fully hydrate and the gluten to relax, resulting in incredibly soft, pliable, and thinner crepes.
2. Set Up Your Pan for Success: Choose an 8-inch non-stick pan and place it over medium to medium-low heat. Ensure you have a large tray ready, along with small squares of parchment or wax paper. These will be used to separate your cooked crepes, preventing them from sticking together. Just before you start cooking, retrieve your chilled batter from the fridge and give it a quick stir to ensure it’s well-mixed.
3. Cook Each Crepe to Perfection: Lightly butter your heated pan using a pastry brush or a paper towel dipped in melted butter. This helps create a beautiful golden hue and prevents sticking. Lift the pan briefly off the heat and pour approximately 1/4 cup of batter into the center. Immediately and swiftly tilt and swirl the pan in a circular motion to evenly coat the entire bottom with a thin layer of batter. Return the pan to the heat. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the bottom is golden brown, the edges begin to crisp, and the surface appears dry. Use an offset spatula to gently lift one edge, then carefully grab it with your fingers and the spatula to flip the crepe. Cook the second side for another 1-2 minutes until golden spots appear. Transfer the cooked crepe to your prepared tray and place a piece of parchment or wax paper on top. Repeat this process for the remaining batter, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain consistent cooking.
4. Craft the Creamy Custard Filling: In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add the whole milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Cook this mixture over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and gently bubbles, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook and stir for another 2 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool for one minute.
5. Temper the Egg Yolks and Finish Custard: While the custard base cools, place 3 room-temperature egg yolks in a small, heat-safe bowl. To temper the yolks and prevent them from scrambling, slowly whisk a small amount (about 1/4 cup) of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks. This gradually raises the temperature of the yolks. Then, pour the warmed egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining custard, stirring constantly. Return the pan to medium heat and bring it to a gentle boil, cooking and stirring for 2 minutes until it reaches a thick, luxurious consistency. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, cover, and chill for at least 1 hour. This chilling time is essential for the custard to set properly and become easier to handle.
6. Assemble Your Delicious Crepes: Once your crepes are cooked and the custard is chilled, it’s time for assembly. Lay one crepe flat on a plate. Spoon a generous amount of the creamy custard onto the bottom half of the crepe. Artfully arrange thinly sliced bananas over the custard, and then sprinkle with a desired amount of finely chopped walnuts. Fold the crepe in half, then fold it in half again to form an elegant triangle shape.
7. Top and Serve Immediately: For the ultimate culinary experience, top your assembled banana crepes with your favorite garnishes. Options include additional thinly sliced bananas (consider cutting them into heart shapes for a special touch), more finely chopped walnuts, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup or caramel sauce. Serve these delectable crepes right away to enjoy them at their peak flavor and perfect texture.

Creative Topping Ideas for Your Banana Crepes

While banana crepes with custard and walnuts are undeniably delicious on their own, a world of toppings awaits to customize your culinary creation. Here are some fantastic ideas to elevate your crepes:

• My Favorite Classic Combination: Stick with the winning trio of creamy custard, fresh banana slices, and finely chopped walnuts. This blend offers a perfect harmony of creamy, sweet, and crunchy textures.
• Fresh Fruit Burst: Brighten up your crepes with an assortment of fresh berries or other fruits. Think vibrant strawberries, juicy blueberries, tangy raspberries, or even a spoonful of homemade apple butter for a delightful autumnal touch.
• Decadent Chocolate Sauce: For chocolate lovers, a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce or a spread of Nutella is an irresistible addition. Check out our Nutella Crepes recipe for more inspiration on combining chocolate and crepes.
• Rich Caramel Sauce: Elevate the sweetness with a generous pour of gooey caramel sauce. Its buttery, rich notes beautifully complement the bananas and custard, creating an extra indulgent experience.
• Crunchy Chopped Nuts: Beyond walnuts, experiment with other nuts for different flavor and texture profiles. Sprinkle on toasted pecans, slivered almonds, or crushed hazelnuts for an added layer of crunch and nutty aroma.
• Light and Airy Whipped Cream: A cloud of freshly whipped cream provides a delicate and airy topping that perfectly balances the richness of the custard and fruit, offering a refreshing contrast.

Expert Tips for Perfect Crepe-Making Success

Achieving consistently perfect crepes requires a few key techniques. Follow these expert tips to ensure your banana crepes are always tender, thin, and beautifully golden:

• Don’t Skip Chilling the Batter: This is arguably the most important step for truly soft, light, and flexible crepes. Allowing the batter to rest in the fridge for at least an hour (or even overnight) gives the flour time to fully hydrate and the gluten to relax. This prevents the crepes from being tough and makes them much easier to cook and flip without tearing.
• Master the Buttered Pan: For impeccable crepes, spread a very thin, even layer of melted butter over the bottom and sides of your non-stick pan before each crepe. You don’t need much; too much butter can make the crepes greasy. The first crepe often acts as a “tester” and might be a little crispier. After the first one, the pan will be perfectly seasoned, and that initial buttering should be sufficient for about 5-6 crepes before needing a refresh.
• Patience is Key: Wait to Flip: Resist the urge to flip your crepe too soon! Wait until you see distinct golden-brown spots forming on the bottom, the edges of the crepe begin to gently lift and brown, and the entire surface looks dry and opaque. Flipping prematurely will almost certainly result in tearing. Once these visual cues are met, a gentle flip will reveal a perfectly cooked side.
• Swirl Quickly for Thin Crepes: As soon as you pour the 1/4 cup of batter into the pan, immediately lift the pan slightly off the heat and quickly tilt and swirl it in a circular motion. This swift action allows the batter to spread thinly and evenly across the entire surface of the pan before it starts to set. The quicker you swirl, the thinner and more delicate your crepes will be.

Banana Crepes

By Chelsea Lords

Banana Crepes feature a delicious custard filling, ripe bananas, and chopped walnuts, and they come together easy and quick. This recipe is designed for ease, allowing you to prepare the crepes and custard ahead of time for swift assembly.

Prep Time:

15 minutes

Chilling Time:

1 hour

Total Time:

1 hour 15 minutes

Yields:

25 crepes

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Equipment

• Blender
• Non-stick Pan (8-inch recommended)
• Offset Spatula (for flipping crepes)
• Small Pot (for custard)
• Whisk
• Heat-safe Bowl
• Pastry Brush or Paper Towel
• Large Tray and Parchment Paper (for stacking crepes)

Ingredients

For the Crepes:

• 2-1/2 cups whole milk (see note 1)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• Additional butter, for greasing the pan

For the Custard Filling:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups whole milk
• 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Assembly and Topping:

• 3 firm bananas, thinly sliced (for filling)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (for filling)
• 1 banana, thinly sliced (for topping)
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts (for topping)
• Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
• Maple syrup or caramel sauce (optional, for topping)

Instructions

Preparing the Crepes:

1. Add the milk, flour, sugar, salt, melted butter, vanilla extract, and eggs to a high-powered blender. Blend on low speed until all ingredients are well combined and the batter is smooth, approximately 10–15 seconds.
2. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the blender, then blend for a few more seconds to ensure no dry spots remain. Cover the blender pitcher and refrigerate the batter for at least 1 hour, or overnight for the best results, as this resting period improves texture.
3. Heat an 8-inch non-stick pan over medium to medium-low heat. Prepare a large tray and cut small squares of parchment or wax paper to separate the cooked crepes. Remove the chilled batter from the fridge and give it a quick stir.
4. Lightly grease the hot pan with a small amount of melted butter, using a pastry brush or a paper towel dipped in butter. Briefly lift the pan off the heat and pour 1/4 cup of batter into the center. Immediately, and working quickly, tilt and swirl the crepe pan in a circular motion to evenly coat the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of batter. Return the pan to the heat.
5. Cook the crepe until the bottom is golden brown and the edges start to lift, about 1–2 minutes. Use an offset spatula to gently lift an edge of the crepe. Carefully grab the lifted edge with your fingers and the spatula to flip the crepe to the other side. Cook until golden brown spots appear on the bottom, another 1–2 minutes. Remove the cooked crepe to the prepared tray and place a piece of parchment or wax paper on top.
6. Repeat this process until all the batter has been used. If crepes are cooking too quickly or browning too much, reduce the heat as needed. Conversely, if they are taking longer than 1–2 minutes per side to cook, slightly increase the heat.

Making the Custard:

1. In a small pot, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Place the pot on medium-high heat. Gradually add in the whole milk while continuously whisking to prevent any lumps from forming. Cook and stir constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes slightly bubbly, usually taking about 3–5 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to low. Continue to cook and stir for an additional 2 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the custard cool for 1 minute.
3. Meanwhile, place the 3 room-temperature egg yolks in a small heat-safe bowl. To temper the egg yolks, slowly whisk a small amount (about 1/4 cup) of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks. This gradually raises their temperature and prevents them from scrambling. Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the pot with the remaining custard, stirring constantly. Return the pot to medium heat and bring it to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes more until the custard is thick and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Cover the custard and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow it to set properly.

Assembly:

1. Once the crepes are cooked and cooled, and the custard is thoroughly chilled, it’s time to assemble. Place one crepe on a plate. Spoon a generous amount of the prepared custard onto the bottom half of the crepe. Top the custard with thinly sliced bananas and a light sprinkle of finely chopped walnuts. Fold the crepe in half, then fold it in half again to create an elegant triangle shape.
2. Top the assembled crepes with your desired garnishes. This could include additional thinly sliced banana (perhaps cut into festive heart shapes!), more finely chopped walnuts, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup or our homemade “caramel” syrup (see note 2). Serve and enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture experience.

Recipe Notes

• Note 1: For the best results and the most tender, flavorful crepes, it is strongly recommended not to use lower-fat milk. The richness of whole milk is essential for the desired texture and taste.
• Note 2: Instead of traditional maple syrup, you can enhance these crepes with a rich and delicious “caramel” syrup, which offers a unique depth of flavor.
• Nutrition Note: The nutritional information provided accounts for the crepes and custard filling, but does not include any optional toppings such as whipped cream or additional syrup.
• Storage: Cooked crepes, once completely cooled, can be stacked with parchment paper between each one. Place the stack in a large resealable plastic bag or airtight container and refrigerate for 3–4 days. For longer storage, crepes can be frozen for up to 2-3 months using the same parchment paper separation method.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 crepe |
Calories: 145 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 18 g |
Protein: 4 g |
Fat: 7 g |
Saturated Fat: 3 g |
Trans Fat: 1 g |
Cholesterol: 61 mg |
Sodium: 65 mg |
Potassium: 108 mg |
Fiber: 1 g |
Sugar: 9 g |
Vitamin A: 196 IU |
Vitamin C: 1 mg |
Calcium: 57 mg |
Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

We hope you adore these homemade Banana Crepes as much as we do! Their delightful combination of tender crepes, creamy custard, sweet bananas, and crunchy walnuts makes them a truly unforgettable treat. Whether you’re making them for a festive holiday, a leisurely weekend brunch, or simply to brighten an ordinary morning, they are sure to bring smiles to everyone at the table. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different toppings and make this recipe your own. Enjoy the process of creating these delicious crepes and savor every delightful bite!