A crumpet is a small, round British yeasted griddle cake with a porous surface and chewy texture.
Crumpet batter is typically made from flour, yeast, water or milk, and often baking soda. It is cooked in a ring on a griddle, allowing bubbles to rise and form the characteristic holes across the top. The underside is browned while the top usually remains pale.
Crumpets are commonly toasted and served with butter, which melts into the holes. They differ from English muffins, which are usually split horizontally and have a firmer, breadier crumb. Regional names and recipes vary; in some parts of Britain, the word “pikelet” refers to a thinner or ringless relative rather than the standard thick crumpet.