Do you create English muffins or crumpets when life throws you batter? Both types of round, soft, and fluffy pastries are great with melted butter, jam, honey, and a variety of additional sides and toppings for breakfast. They are also known as griddle cakes because they may be baked on the stovetop rather than in the oven.

But don’t be fooled by their similarities; their contrasts are significantly larger. Let’s get started since there’s so much to discuss and compare, from batter and texture to cooking procedure.

Crumpet: The “Spongy” One

A crumpet is best described as a round, chewy cake with holes on top. Baking soda is used in the recipe to generate the spongy, distinctive surface texture.

Crumpets are only cooked on one side to let the other side to soak up the exquisite jams, sweet cocoa butter, and honey that may be added. They are often had for breakfast or in the afternoon with a cup of tea.

English Muffin: The “Bread-Like” One

English muffins are flatter and drier than crumpets, and since the recipe does not call for baking soda, the holes are on the inside rather than the top. When English muffins are fried on both sides, they become quite crispy.

Its smooth surface is ideal for slathering on jams, honey, and creams. English muffins are also incredibly simple to freeze.

Crumpet vs English Muffin: What’s The Difference?

After reading the two descriptions above, you may have noticed the fundamental similarities between crumpets and English muffins: both are griddle cakes, round, with a spongy or fluffy texture, and are often eaten for breakfast or with afternoon tea.

So, what distinguishes each of them? Let’s look into it.

They Have Different Origins

Crumpets are said to have originated in late 17th century England as crompit cakes, which were little, firm, oval-shaped biscuits fried on a griddle with a pancake-like appearance. Yeast and baking soda were added to the recipe during the Victorian era to give them a soft, spongy appearance.

English muffins, contrary to popular belief, were invented in the United States by a British immigrant called Samuel Bath Thomas as an alternative to crumpets. Around 1880, Thomas, who ran a bakery in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, invented the toaster crumpet.

These became a fashionable alternative to hotel and restaurant toasts. They were called English muffins in 1894, and the rest is history.

They Are Made With Different Ingredients

Milk, yeast, baking soda, and baking powder are used to make crumpets. The components create a wet batter with a hydration of 90% or more, resulting in a loose and spongy texture.

English muffins are produced with solid dough as opposed to watery batter. While milk is sometimes used, the classic recipe does not. Since they include more yeast or sourdough, they rise higher than crumpets. Baking soda is periodically added to the dough to make it rise even more.

They Are Cooked Differently

Since crumpet batter is highly liquid, it is poured into ring molds and cooked on one side only. Along with the loose batter, this cooking procedure gives the final pastry its unique spongy look with holes on top. Cooking time for crumpets is 20-25 minutes.

Meanwhile, the English muffins are uniformly cooked on both sides. As a consequence, the pastry is uniformly browned and fluffy on the inside. Cooking time for English Muffins is around 2 hours.

They Have Different Textures

Crumpets are cooked on one side with a high-hydration batter, giving them a frothy look and a moist and soft feel. They don’t rise as much as their doughy relatives.

English muffins are created using a firm dough that rises more owing to the increased yeast content. Because of the sourdough fermentation, they have a bread-like consistency.

They Are Usually Paired With Different Dishes

Crumpets soak up toppings like melted butter, marmalade, or honey like a sponge. They go well with sweet spreads, while other people like them with savory sides such as eggs or sausages. They’re often consumed in the morning or with afternoon tea.

English muffins, on the other hand, are sliced in half and stuffed with savory or sweet components like sausage, eggs, bacon, cheese, and chips. They are a terrific alternative to toast and provide a substantial lunch or breakfast since they resemble bread.

Crumpet vs. English Muffin: Which One’s Healthier?

Crumpets have less calories than muffins, but muffins are healthier since they include less fat and no cholesterol. Let’s have a look at their nutritional values.

The Breakdown: Key Differences

Now that we’ve gone through them thoroughly, let’s summarize their significant differences.

Conclusion

One thing that English muffins and crumpets have in common is that they both make great British breakfasts.

The primary distinction between the two is that English muffins resemble a little, round loaf, whilst crumpets resemble a round, fluffy sponge. While crumpets are fewer in calories, English muffins are lower in fat and have no cholesterol, making them the better choice.