Traditional Russian Oladyi Recipe
One of my favorite breakfast foods is oladyi—a version of Russian pancakes that are incredibly fluffy, with a deliciously crisp crust on the edges. The kefir or buttermilk in the batter makes these pancakes tender and light, with a texture that melts in your mouth. They remind me of childhood weekends at the kids’ cafe “Alenushka,” where my mother and I would enjoy oladyi. The taste was rich and tangy, perfectly sweetened with jam, and always served with sour cream.
For a long time, I didn’t have a good recipe for oladyi, thinking I couldn’t recreate the nostalgic flavor from my childhood. But it turns out they’re incredibly easy to make. Baking soda ensures the perfect browning and fluffy texture.
Here’s the recipe. It takes just 15 minutes to make, and they’ll be gone in 5!
Oladyi Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk kefir buttermilk, or Greek yogurt
- Oil for frying
To Serve:
- Fresh berries berry compote, or jam
- Sour cream
Instructions
Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- Sift the flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt into a bowl and stir together.
Make the Batter:
- Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the egg and kefir (or your chosen sour milk product). Use a whisk to incorporate the flour, creating a smooth batter.
Cook the Pancakes:
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil.
- Ladle the batter into the pan to form pancakes about 4 inches (10 cm) across.
- Cook until bubbles start to appear on the surface and the underside is golden brown. Flip and cook the other side until golden.
Serve:
- Serve the pancakes hot, topped with fresh berries, a spoonful of sour cream, and a dollop of jam.
Notes
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk kefir, buttermilk, or Greek yogurt
- Oil for frying
To Serve:
- Fresh berries, berry compote, or jam
- Sour cream
Instructions:
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- Sift the flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt into a bowl and stir together.
- Make the Batter:
- Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the egg and kefir (or your chosen sour milk product). Use a whisk to incorporate the flour, creating a smooth batter.
- Cook the Pancakes:
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil.
- Ladle the batter into the pan to form pancakes about 4 inches (10 cm) across.
- Cook until bubbles start to appear on the surface and the underside is golden brown. Flip and cook the other side until golden.
- Serve:
- Serve the pancakes hot, topped with fresh berries, a spoonful of sour cream, and a dollop of jam.
Enjoy these fluffy, tangy, and sweet oladyi for a perfect start to your morning!