This recipe for Syrniki, or healthy cottage cheese pancakes, introduces you to a tasty breakfast or dessert from Ukraine and Russia. With a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, these fried patties are not only delicious but also quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes.
If you're looking for a breakfast dish that's both sweet and protein-packed, then Syrniki pancakes are the perfect choice.
Made with farmer's cottage cheese, these fluffy pancakes are a popular staple in post-Soviet countries and can easily become a favorite in your home too.
The Syrniki recipe I'm about to share with you is a beloved dish from my family's kitchen, much like our traditional Borsch, Vinegret salad, Sharlotka, and Baked Apples.
If you enjoy these, you'll definitely want to try my Oladi, a classic Ukrainian breakfast pancake.
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Why This Is The Best Syrniki Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This Syrniki recipe is a breeze to whip up. With just a few simple steps, you'll have a delicious meal ready in 25 minutes.
- Delicious: The combination of cottage cheese, eggs, and a touch of sugar creates a pancake that is irresistibly tasty and satisfying.
- Authentic Flavors: This recipe sticks to the traditional flavors of Syrniki, delivering a classic taste that is sure to please.
- Family Favorite: These pancakes are a hit with both kids and adults alike, making them a perfect family-friendly meal.
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether you're hosting a brunch or a casual dinner, these pancakes are sure to be a hit with your guests.
- Comfort Food: There's something incredibly comforting about a plate of warm, fluffy pancakes. This recipe delivers that comfort in every bite.
- Budget-Friendly: With simple, affordable ingredients like cottage cheese and flour, this recipe won't break the bank.
Key Ingredients
Here's an overview of some key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Farmer's Cottage Cheese (Tvorog): This is the star of our recipe, providing a rich, creamy texture and a tangy flavor that will make your dish stand out.
- Large Eggs: These are essential for binding the ingredients together. They also add a bit of richness to the dish. Remember to have them at room temperature for best results.
- All-Purpose Flour: Sifted flour will help to keep our dish light and airy. It's also a key component in creating the structure of the dish.
- Sugar: This will sweeten our dish, balancing out the tanginess of the cheese and making it more palatable.
- Baking Powder: This ingredient is crucial for giving our dish a light, fluffy texture. It helps the dish to rise during cooking.
How to Make Syrniki (Cottage Cheese Pancakes)
Making Russian cheese pancakes at home is easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
Combine ingredients - In a large bowl, add farmer's cottage cheese. Use a fork to break any large lumps apart. To this mixture, incorporate cane sugar, salt, ¾ cup of flour, baking powder, and eggs. Blend everything together until the mixture becomes smooth.
Roll the batter in flour - Prepare a separate shallow bowl and add the remaining ¼ cup of flour. Scoop about ¼ cup of the batter and drop it into the flour. Utilize two forks to roll the batter around, ensuring it's fully coated in flour. Once done, shape the coated batter into a patty using your hands. Brush off any excess flour.
Pan fry the pancakes - Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil (or any other flavorless oil) in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the fritters in batches, allowing them to fry for 2-3 minutes. Then, flip the fritters and let them cook for another 2 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy.
Transfer and serve - Once cooked, transfer the Cottage Cheese Pancakes to a large plate lined with a paper towel. Serve immediately with sour cream, honey/Maple syrup, and/or your favorite jam. Enjoy your delicious homemade Syrniki!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Tips For Making the Best Syrniki
- Blend the cottage cheese: If you have an extra 5 minutes, blend your cottage cheese in a food processor for 5-10 seconds to break big lumps. This will make your Syrniki cottage cheese pancakes fluffier and light.
- Strain the cheese: Alternatively, you can push the cheese through a fine mesh strainer into a big bowl. This method requires slightly more time and hand power, but it ensures a smoother batter for your pancakes.
- Roll pancakes in flour: After making your batter, roll your pancakes in flour. This gives them a nice, crispy exterior when fried.
- Clean the skillet after each batch: Make sure to wipe the skillet clean after each batch of pancakes. This prevents grease build-up from sticking to your subsequent batches of pancakes.
Serving Suggestions
- Start your day on a sweet note by enjoying these Cottage Cheese Pancakes with a generous dollop of sour cream and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. The creamy tang of the sour cream perfectly complements the sweetness of the syrup, making for a truly indulgent breakfast.
- For a fruity twist, serve these protein-packed pancakes with a side of fresh berries or fruits like strawberries, blueberries, or bananas. The freshness and natural sweetness of the fruits add a refreshing touch to the pancakes.
- If you're a fan of jams, these Cottage Cheese Pancakes are the perfect canvas for your favorite flavors. Whether it's strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry jam, the pancakes will soak up the fruity goodness, making each bite a burst of flavor.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Fruity: If you're a fan of fruit, this variation is for you. Simply add a handful of your favorite dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots into the batter. This will give your cottage cheese pancakes a sweet and tangy twist that pairs perfectly with a dollop of sour cream.
- Chocolatey: For chocolate lovers, this variation is a must-try. Mix in a tablespoon of cocoa powder into the batter and sprinkle some chocolate chips on top before frying. The melted chocolate adds a rich, indulgent flavor to the cottage cheese pancakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Farmer's Cheese can be found in many grocery stores, particularly those specializing in Ukrainian, Russian, or Polish foods. If you can't find it in your local store, don't worry! You can also make your own Farmer's Cheese at home. There are plenty of recipes available online.
Absolutely! Whole wheat flour can be used as a healthier alternative to white flour. However, keep in mind that it is denser and heavier. To maintain the right consistency, use ¾ cup of whole wheat flour to replace 1 cup of white flour.
When frying these pancakes, it's best to use an oil with a neutral flavor. Refined coconut oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil are all excellent choices. If you prefer, you can also use butter for a richer flavor.
These cottage cheese pancakes, or Syrniki, are a delight to the taste buds. They are sweet and fluffy on the inside with a slightly crispy edge. Serve them with sour cream, honey, or your favorite jam for a delicious and satisfying meal. Enjoy!
How to Store Leftovers
- Storing: While Syrniki is best enjoyed immediately, leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Ensure they are reheated in a microwave before serving for a delicious taste.
- Freezing before cooking: Syrniki can be frozen before cooking. Simply line a tray with plastic wrap, place each pancake on the tray with a one-inch space between each. Freeze for 2-3 hours, then stack with parchment paper between each pancake. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. No need to defrost before cooking, just follow the cooking instructions.
- Freezing after cooking: Cooked Syrniki can also be frozen. Cool them to room temperature, place between layers of parchment paper, and store in a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge or leave on the counter for 2-4 hours.
- Reheating: If Syrniki has been stored in the fridge, reheat in a microwave before serving.
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Recipe
Recipe
Cottage Cheese Pancakes (High Protein Ukrainian/Russian Syrniki)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb Farmer's Cottage Cheese
- 2 eggs
- 4 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 c flour sifted
- pinch of salt
- 6 tablespoon avocado oil or butter for frying
Instructions
Make a pancake batter.
- In a large bowl add farmer's cottage cheese. Using a fork break any big lumps. To the same bowl add cane sugar, salt, ¾ cup of flour, baking powder and eggs. Mix everything nicely until the mixture is smooth.
Roll pancakes in flour.
- In a separate shallow bowl add the remaining ¼ cup of flour and drop about ¼ cup of batter into the flour.
- Using 2 forks roll the batter to coat in flour and then working with your hands shape it into the patty. Dust off any excess flour.
Pan fry the cottage cheese pancakes.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil (or other flavorless oil) in a large non-stick skillet and over a medium heat.
- Working in batches, cook the fritters for 2-3 minutes then flip and cook another 2 minutes on the other sides until cheese pancakes are golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer cooked Cottage Cheese Pancakes on a large plate lined with a paper towel.
Enjoy.
- Serve immediately with sour cream, honey/Maple syrup and/or your favorite jam.
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Colin says
They do look delicious but the result of mixing is a sticky and sloppy mess that is quite difficult to toss or shape at the flour stage
Iryna Bychkiv says
Colin, thank you so much for your comment! Yes, the mixture can definitely feel a bit sticky and soft—that’s totally normal for syrniki. I find that generously flouring your hands and working gently helps a lot when shaping them. If it still feels too tricky to handle, adding just a little more flour can make things easier, though I try not to add too much so they stay nice and tender inside.
Rachel says
These are so delicious! I’ll admit, I’m not a fan of cottage cheese but had some to use up in my fridge as I’m trying to eat more protein. I liked this recipe so much I now plan on buying cottage cheese again specifically for these pancakes! I used butter for the frying, I think oil would have turned me off a bit.
I was confused at the directions for flour- was I supposed to use the whole cup of flour mixed in the batter or just 3/4c and use the other 1/4c for coating? It said flour divided but didn’t specify.
Iryna says
Rachel, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm very happy you liked my cheese pancakes! You can certainly use oil in this recipe, I recommend flavorless oil, like avocado oil. It has a high smoke point and is suitable for frying. And sorry for the confusion. 3/4 c of flour goes in the batter and 1/4 for the coating. I'm going to specify this in the directions.
Virginia Seno says
ohmygosh! Easy and delicious!! I've made banana pancakes and also (long ago) Jane Brody's cottage cheese pancakes. These are just the best! Love the protein. Top with fruit (cooked up in the pan with the pancakes and ready to go). Or whatever you love!
Iryna says
Virginia, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Rachel Frampton says
I'm planning to serve cottage cheese pancakes for our breakfast on Saturday, which is why I'm currently looking for Russian cuisine recipes online. Well, thank you for sharing these tips; I'll make sure to prepare the necessary ingredients, such as eggs, sugar, flour, vanilla, and or raisins. It's also a good thing that you shared here the importance of preparing the curd cottage cheese. https://girlandthekitchen.com/russian-recipes
Adam says
These pancake-fritters are really delicious and very tender. The batter is thick but really lightens up when cooked. I would be more precise with the salt quantity, which is about quarter teaspoon.
Iryna says
Adam, thank you so much for your comment and 5 star rating! I'm very happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Christina says
Have you ever tried making these with almond flour?
If yes, do they resemble same taste?
Thank you
Iryna says
Hi Christina,
Yes, I made Syrniki with almond flour before and they taste amazing! Give them a try and use the same amount of almond flour as you would use regular flour.
Beth says
These look so delicious! I have never heard of syrniki before, but now I really want to try them! I better they are moist and fluffy!
Iryna says
Thank you Beth!
Tara says
Oh wow! These Syrniki look incredible! Definitely wish I was starting the day with these.
Iryna says
Thank you Tara!
Sharon says
I would love a big stack of these on a lazy Sunday morning! They sound so good, I can't wait to try out this recipe.
Iryna says
Thank you Sharon! You would really them!