Crumpets are light and fluffy stovetop bread from the UK. They are made with a yeasted batter with baking soda.
The batter is not sticky or thick but needs about an hour to rise before it is ready for cooking. Once the crumpets are cooked, serve them with jam or your favorite dairy-free spread.
Crumpet rings are a great bakeware item. They hold the batter and dough and are a popular tool at bakeries and grocery stores. Unfortunately, these rings are not always easy to find.
Fortunately, you can try several substitutes for these rings, which we will share hereinafter.
Substitutes For Crumpet Rings
1. Aluminum Rings
Using aluminum crumpet rings can be a convenient and affordable alternative to traditional crumpet rings. These rings are dishwasher safe and have a non-stick crumpet surface.
Using them makes crumpet baking easier and faster. They also keep crumpets fresher for longer.
You can make your crumpet rings by using aluminum foil as a ring form. The process is simple and doesn’t require much time.
You can use the foil in any size you need, and you don’t need to use any special tools to make it. You must roll it into a ring form with two or three foldings.
Once the rings are ready, you can pour the batter into them. The batter should not be too stiff; otherwise, the crumpets will be blind.
Ensure the crumpet rings are well-greased and do not let them dry. You should also ensure that the crumpet rings have rolled edges so they won’t stick.
2. Cans
Another substitute is to use cans instead of crumpet rings. Water chestnut cans are an ideal substitute, as their size allows you to make perfect-sized crumpets.
The bottoms of these cans are usually rounded, allowing the crumpet dough to nest into the can. Once nestled in the baking sheet, the crumpets will bake properly.
You can also try tuna cans for this purpose. They have about the same diameter as a crumpet ring and will be perfect for making crumpets.
3. Roll Into Balls
Crumpets are a British version of an English muffin. They’re thin and spongy with a soft, buttery inside. They’re generally eaten toasted, with butter or jam.
If you don’t have crumpet rings on hand, you can roll out the dough into a ball. It will be slightly sticky but not too much.
You may want to grease the inside of your saucepan before adding the dough. Once the dough is cooled slightly, it should be ready to be rolled out into crumpet rings.
You can reuse scraps by rolling the dough again and cutting more rounds. This way, you can make different-sized crumpets.
4. Muffin Rings
Crumpets are typically made in round metal rings. Several types of crumpet rings are available, including silicone, metal, and tart tins. However, you can use muffin rings if you can’t find any metal rings.
Muffin Rings are an excellent alternative to crumpet rings. Traditionally, crumpets are baked in a metal ring that helps keep them in shape. It also prevents crumbs from settling into the cooking fat.
Using muffin rings as a substitute for crumpet rings allows you to bake a delicious and convenient treat that’s low-carb and low-calorie. These rings are non-stick and won’t leave a metallic taste or scratch the pan.
If you don’t want to spend money on fancy muffin rings at the bakery, you can make them at home using foil and paper. However, spray them with oil before filling them with batter.
5. Egg rings
Stainless steel and silicone egg rings are a fine alternative to traditional crumpet rings. The bottoms of these rings are rounded and will help you make perfect crumpets every time.
The best thing about these rings is that they are dishwasher-safe and easy to use. They are also suitable for outdoor camping and picnicking because of their non-stick properties.
Egg rings can be made from silicone or metal. Silicone rings are non-sticky, while metal ones tend to stick when they absorb extra oil.
You can buy silicone egg rings in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs. Make sure to choose egg rings with a silicone tip, as this will help you remove them from a hot pan.
The Bottom Line
Crumpet rings help you shape the batter into the characteristic tall round shape. These rings have a non-stick crumpet surface, which allows the crumpet to rise without sticking.
Usually, they are not easy to find in most grocery stores. However, these substitutes can help you make the perfect crumpets!