What is a Crumpet?

The phrase 'time for tea and crumpets' may evoke images from British dramas like Downton Abbey, or comedies such as Keeping Up Appearances, where Hyacinth Bucket serves crumpets alongside tea in her prized "Royal Doulton with hand-painted periwinkles" china.

While the British are famous for their tea and crumpet tradition, you might wonder—are crumpets the same as the English muffins commonly found in American kitchens, toasted and ready for butter?

What Is a Crumpet?

A crumpet is a small, round griddle bread made from a simple, unsweetened batter of water or milk, flour, and yeast. It's a beloved choice for breakfast or afternoon tea in the United Kingdom and is also enjoyed in places like Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia.

Crumpets are small, round breads with a delightfully spongy interior. In the United States, you can find them in specialty aisles or international food sections of some grocery stores. The closest equivalent to these British treats are English muffins, which are widely available in the bread section of most U.S. markets.

The History of the Crumpet

The term 'crumpet' is thought to come from a 14th-century reference to a "crompid cake" and the Old English word for 'crumpled,' referring to the cake’s shape and texture.

Crumpets are a spongy type of griddle cake, made by cooking a yeast-based batter in a hot pan. This batter usually contains flour, sugar, milk, and baking soda. The batter is poured into special rings placed on the griddle, allowing it to rise into a spongy top. Traditionally, crumpets are crisp on the bottom with a soft, chewy top.

Crumpets were first mentioned in 1382 in the writings of theologian John Wycliffe, where they were described as flat cakes cooked on a hot stone. Early versions were made with buckwheat flour, but by the Victorian era, a lighter, leavened crumpet emerged, thanks to the invention of ring molds that shaped them into their familiar round form. Crumpets are often associated with the British upper class, depicted in films and television shows where they are served with tea in fine bone china—pinkies up!

Despite their association with the upper class, crumpets have long been enjoyed by people from all walks of life, particularly at breakfast or during afternoon tea.

Crumpet vs. English Muffin: What Sets Them Apart?

Both crumpets and English muffins are staples on many breakfast tables. But is there a real difference between the two?

The English muffin is easily recognized by its packaging featuring a charming horse-drawn carriage.

According to the Thomas' Breads website, Samuel Bath Thomas introduced the Original "Nooks & Crannies®" English Muffin in 1880, after relocating from England to the U.S. The site explains, "He developed a secret griddle-baking process to create a muffin that was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Thomas later opened a bakery in New York City, and his muffins quickly became a breakfast favorite across America."

Today, the English muffin has become a quintessential American favorite, found on breakfast menus in restaurants, served by chefs, and even used by fast food chains.

Both English muffins and crumpets are known for their airy texture, filled with tiny pockets that make them perfect for holding a variety of toppings like butter, jam, preserves, eggs, melted cheese, and more.

The main difference in how they are prepared lies in the fact that crumpets are made from a batter poured into ring molds, whereas English muffins are crafted from a dough. Crumpets are only cooked on one side, resulting in a characteristic crusty exterior, while English muffins are cooked on both sides.

English muffins are often advertised as being "fork split," making them easy to cut in half before toasting—ideal for breakfast sandwiches. Crumpets, on the other hand, are served whole with spreads like butter and jam applied directly on top, without the need for splitting. The difference in preparation methods—batter for crumpets and dough for muffins—creates distinct textures. Crumpets are light and chewy, while English muffins are more doughy and crisp, with their iconic nooks and crannies.

Crumpets are delicious when topped with warm butter and jam, golden syrup, lemon curd, preserves, or even clotted cream for a decadent treat.