Crêpes Parmentier (Buckwheat Galettes with Potato, Egg, and Cheese)
Crêpes Parmentier are savory buckwheat galettes filled with tender boiled potatoes, rich eggs, and melted Emmental cheese. The buckwheat batter is rested and then thinned to cook delicate yet slightly crisp crêpes that serve as a sturdy wrap for the soft filling. These galettes offer a more robust, less sweet alternative to traditional dessert-style crêpes, with textural contrast between crispy edges and creamy interiors. They are traditionally enjoyed as a meal or light lunch, showcasing simple ingredients in a rich, satisfying combination.
Ingredients
Buckwheat Crêpes (Breton Galettes):
- 1 cup buckwheat flour 120 grams
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 egg large
- 1 cup milk 255 grams, any type
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted, 14 grams
- ¼ to ½ cup water I would recommend about 6 tablespoons, 57 grams to 113 grams
Filling per Crêpe:
- 1 egg large
- 1 to 2 ounces Emmental cheese use less for a smaller crêpe, more for a larger crêpe, shredded, ¼ to ½ cup / 30 to 55 grams, aka Swiss cheese
- 1 ½ to 2 ounces potato ½-inch dice, peeled and cubed Yukon gold or yellow, boiled in salted water until tender, ¼ to ⅓ cup / 40 to 55 grams
Instructions
To make the crêpe batter:
- Combine all the ingredients (except water) in a blender, and blend until smooth. Cover the batter and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
To cook the crêpes:
- When you’re ready to make crêpes, thin the batter with water, using less water for thicker crêpes and more water for thinner ones. I find about 6 tablespoons to work well for this amount of batter.
- Preheat a crêpe pan or large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly grease the pan with butter, oil, or pan spray, then pour in enough batter to thinly coat the bottom of the pan (a scant ⅓ cup is good for 8-to-9-inch diameter crêpes); tilt and swirl the pan as you pour the batter to ensure an even coating.
- Cook the crêpe for 1 to 2 minutes on the first side, until it’s golden and lifts from the pan easily. If the pan is hot enough you should yield the characteristic craters on the bottom. Flip it over and cook for another 30 seconds on the other side. Adjust the heat as necessary for even cooking.
- Transfer cooked crêpes to a plate, stacking them on top of one another, and covering with a towel. (The first crêpe may not turn out as well as the others, similarly to the first pancake in every batch). Crêpes can be stacked with wax or parchment paper in between, and refrigerated or frozen. You will yield about 8 (8-to-9-inch) crêpes.
To assemble the crêpes:
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, and top with a cooked crêpe with the crater-side down. Carefully crack an egg into a small bowl, and then pour the egg onto the center of the crêpe, making sure the yolk is centered. Season the egg with salt. Sprinkle the cheese around the egg, leaving about a small border around the edges of the crêpe, then sprinkle the cubed potatoes over the cheese around the yolk.
- Lower the heat to low, and cover the pan with a lid. Cook until the cheese melts, the white of the egg is cooked through, and the bottom of the crêpe is crisp. Fold over the edges of the crêpe to make a square, and carefully slide the crêpe pocket onto a plate. (Alternatively you can slide the crêpe onto a plate first, and then fold over the edges). Serve immediately. Repeat with remaining crêpes and additional filling as desired.
Notes
- These galettes are drier and crispier at the edges compared to sweet dessert crêpes due to buckwheat flour.
- Freeze leftover crêpes flat, separated by parchment or wax paper, in a sealed container to preserve quality.
- If vegetarian, choose Swiss cheese without animal rennet for the Emmental.
- Alternative fillings include versions with ham, bacon, different cheeses, or vegetables for variety beyond traditional potato, egg, and cheese.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 (8-to-9-inch) crêpes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 409
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 409kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 295mg | 98% |
| Sodium | 384mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 304mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.