Whether you’re a curious American wanting to know what a crumpet is or a homesick Brit hunting for the perfect English crumpet, we’re here to break down everything you need to know about this legendary, and often forgotten, legend of the British bread family. 

What is a Crumpet?

To the untrained eye, a crumpet looks like a thick pancake riddled with holes, but really it is a sacred breakfast staple, a comforting taste of home and the ultimate lazy Sunday morning essential. 

Made from a flour and yeast batter, British crumpets are, admittedly, an odd little thing. Cooked only on one side, they have a flat bottom and a soft sponge-like top full of tiny holes. Whilst many compare them to a pancake or an English muffin, they really are in a league of their own. 

The Best English Crumpets are… Welsh!

Here’s something that might surprise you: although you probably found your way to this page because you were searching for “English Crumpets” and “where can I buy English Crumpets in the USA?”, what you probably didn’t know was that the best crumpets actually come from Wales. The word "crumpet" itself derives from the Welsh word crempog (meaning pancake) and the Old English crompeht (meaning crumpled cake).

The good news is, we import the best crumpets straight from an award-winning family-run bakery in the heart of Wales and deliver them straight to your American doorstep.

English Crumpet vs English Muffin vs a Teacake; What’s the Difference?

Many people ask, 'Is a crumpet the same as an English muffin?', and the short answer is no. While they look a bit similar and share the breakfast shelf, they bring different qualities to the breakfast plate. And that's before we even get to the teacake, which throws its own hat into the ring. The key differences between the three are;

• Ingredients: An English crumpet is made from a loose batter with yeast, while English muffin batter is a firm, kneaded dough. A teacake, meanwhile, is an enriched, slightly sweet yeasted bun, often studded with dried fruit like sultanas or currants.

• Cooking: A muffin is evenly cooked on both sides; a crumpet is cooked bottom up to create the soft sponge texture on the top. A teacake is baked whole, then split and toasted just before serving.

• Texture: Arguably the biggest difference between the crumpet and the muffin, the crumpet is almost springy to the touch, where a muffin is more bread-like and chewy. A teacake sits somewhere in between, soft and slightly sweet, with a light chew from the dried fruit running through it.

• Serving: An English muffin is perfect for creating breakfast sandwiches and can be used like any other bread roll or barm. A crumpet, under no circumstances, should be sliced open! A teacake, on the other hand, is made to be split, toasted and buttered - simple as that.

Whichever you choose, all three are made for the same ritual: a proper cup of tea alongside. A crumpet, its little pockets pooling with melted butter, is the classic teatime pairing. An English muffin, split and lightly toasted, holds its own alongside a strong brew, especially with a spoon of jam. And a teacake, warm and buttery straight off the grill, might be the most traditional teatime companion of the three — the kind of thing that turns a quick cuppa into a proper sit-down break.

How to Eat a Crumpet The Proper British Way

British crumpets are a really simple piece of food that requires little prep, making it the perfect snack or quick breakfast. The most traditional way to eat a crumpet is:

Step 1 - Toast: Pop the crumpet into the toaster (whole) or under the broiler and let the edges crisp for a few minutes. 

Step 2 - Butter: While it’s still hot, add as much good European or Irish butter as the crumpet can take and watch it melt into the perfectly placed holes. 

Step 3 - Add a Topping: This is an optional step (unlike the butter, which is essential), but at this point many people like to add their own favourite topping such as Marmite, marmalade, honey, jam, even melted cheddar cheese. Please do NOT add Coleman’s Mustard; we appreciate this was a viral social media trend for a while, but it isn’t recommended. Save your Colmans English Mustard for a sausage sarnie or a bacon butty.

Step 4 - Eat: Enjoy straight away, warm, for the best experience with a hot cup of tea

The Best British Crumpet Toppings

You can’t go wrong with a good serving of salted Irish butter, but if you want to mix things up, here are a few great ideas:

• A sweet crumpet: If you’re not a scone lover, this could be a great alternative for you to try. Add a healthy dollop of Strawberry jam, and you’ve created the perfect sweet snack.

• A British favourite: You either love it or hate it, but if you are a lover of the yeast extract Marmite, it is notoriously good when spread on an English crumpet a  

• A slice of comfort: If in doubt, add cheese. Sharp cheddar cheese (or your favourite meltable cheese) popped onto the crumpet and under the broiler for a few minutes until bubbly - perfection. 

Does “Fancy a Bit of Crumpet” have a double meaning in England?

Yes. Yes, it does. Crumpets (like many other seemingly innocent words) have double meanings in British slang, but we'll leave it up to your imagination to work out exactly what "a bit of crumpet" refers to. Let's just say if you live in the USA and you fancy a bit of actual, literal English crumpet, we can help. But if you're after its double-entendre meaning, we can't give you one.

Looking for Authentic English Crumpets in America?

Now that we’ve answered the question on everyone's lips (what is a crumpet), it’s time to taste them for yourself. Our authentic and delicious crumpets are imported from Wales, beautifully thick, perfectly spongy and designed to hold maximum amounts of melted butter. Order online today and have them shipped directly to your door.