My favourite food in the world

A plate of hot pancakes drizzled with Buckwheat Honey might be the most loved food item of the planet.

For most people, pancakes conjure up images of the fluffy American style flapjacks with butter and maple syrup. However, there are tons of different types of pancakes out there. Taking various forms around the world from delicate French crepes to crispy Indian dosas, almost every country has a variation.

One of the oldest prepared foods in the world (no, really!) pancakes and flatbreads have been around for millennia. Easy to make, and infinitely adaptable, these staple foods can be found in every culture. While pancakes and flatbreads are quite different today, you can still find types of pancakes for every taste and palate, whether they are sweet, savoury, or stuffed.

Delicious Types of Pancakes From Around the World

Australia – Pikelets

These fluffy mini Australian pancakes are made with pockets that can be filled with custard or jam. Pikelets are usually enjoyed with butter and honey or jam as a snack or are served with afternoon tea.

Austria – Kaiserschmarrn

Kaiserschmarrn literally means “the emperor’s sweet omelette,” and is named for the Kaiser Franz Joseph I of Austria. As the pancake mix cooks, it is turned and cut with a fork, which is why it doesn’t have the shape of traditional types of pancakes. It is usually served with sugar, berries, jam, or apples.

Belgium – Boûkéte

Belgium may be more famous for its waffles (which some may argue are essentially the same, though they actually use different batter), don’t miss the delicious  boukete (or bouquette). Its texture resembles the French crepe, and it is usually made with buckwheat flour and pan-fried in lard. Boûkètes may be embellished with raisins and garnished with a local brown sugar known as cassonade or with sirop de Liège.

Brazil – Tapiocas

Tapiocas are also similar to crepes, though the Brazilian pancakes are often slightly thicker. They are made with tapioca flour that is cooked on ungreased girdles. They can be eaten either plain or with a range of sweet and savoury toppings, which include butter and shredded coconut.

China – Bing

Bing are savoury Chinese pancakes that are usually made with wheat. The consistency varies across regions from thick and chewy to paper-thin. They are often eaten as a snack, and can be filled with ground meat, or fried with scallions. One of the most popular variations is the cong you bing, or the flaky scallion pancakes. These types of pancakes are often served with soy sauce to dip it in.

Colombia – Arepas

Traditionally found across Colombia and Venezuela, arepas are a staple of South American cooking much like the tortilla is in Central America. Often said to be a cross between a flatbread and a pancake, they are made with corn flour (or masa) and are often split in half and filled with meat, beans, cheese, and more. While the Colombian arepas are larger and flatter than the thick Venezuelan ones, they are both cooked on a girdle.

Denmark – Aebleskiver

The spherical aebleskiver look more like doughnut holes than like most other types of pancakes. Literally meaning “apple slices” (though most versions don’t actually feature apples anymore) they are cooked in a special pan with circular depressions, which makes them pancakes. They are usually sprinkled with sugar, and served with jam for dipping.