Description
Syrniki are traditional Ukrainian cheese pancakes made with farmer’s cheese, eggs, and flour, lightly sweetened and often studded with dried fruit. These golden, fluffy pancakes are pan-fried until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, perfect for a comforting breakfast or dessert served with sour cream, honey, or jam.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb farmer’s cheese (or well-drained ricotta or cottage cheese)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (plus ½ cup for dredging)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup dried cherries or raisins (optional)
- 8 tbsp avocado oil (or vegetable oil or any light oil, for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the farmer’s cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, sugar, and salt. Mix well until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This ensures the base for your syrniki is well combined for even texture.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle in the baking powder and ½ cup of flour into the cheese mixture. Stir gently until fully incorporated. Then fold in the dried cherries or raisins if using. The flour helps bind the mixture while the baking powder adds lightness.
- Shape the Pancakes: Lightly flour your hands and take a portion of the mixture to form small, thick patties about 2 to 3 inches wide. Dredge each patty in the remaining ½ cup of flour to coat lightly. This step helps create a crisp outer layer when frying.
- Heat the Oil and Fry: In a non-stick skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the syrniki patties in batches, frying them for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Adjust heat to avoid burning, cooking thoroughly through.
- Serve Warm: Remove the syrniki from the pan and drain on paper towels briefly. Serve warm with sour cream, honey, fresh berries, or your favorite jam for a delightful traditional taste.
Notes
- Use well-drained cheese to avoid excess moisture which can make the batter too wet.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
- Adjust sugar according to your taste or omit for a savory version.
- Dried fruit like cherries or raisins add a pleasant sweetness but can be omitted or replaced with fresh berries.
- Serve immediately for best texture; syrniki tend to lose crispness when cooled.
