Perfect Syrniki: Russian Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Learn how to make delicious Russian cottage cheese pancakes (syrniki) with this easy recipe. Perfect for breakfast, these pancakes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Perfect Syrniki: Russian Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Golden brown syrniki topped with sour cream and fresh berries.

Syrniki, the beloved Russian cottage cheese pancakes, are a breakfast staple that every family makes a little differently. Preferences vary wildly, and I've even had heated debates with friends over fluffy, neat syrniki vs. rustic, crispy, shapeless ones. Personally, I like mine somewhere in between—a bit of crust on the outside, with a soft, tender inside.

The secret to great syrniki lies in the cottage cheese. You need to choose the right kind or make your own. Ideal cottage cheese is medium dry, not too runny, and as high in fat content as you can find. I use 5%, but 4% full-fat cottage cheese will work just as well. The batter should be slightly sticky but dense enough to form a soft ball that you can easily flatten.

Ingredients

For the Syrniki:

  • 350g (12 oz) full-fat cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • Vegetable oil for frying

To Serve:

  • Sour cream
  • Jam
  • Fresh berries
  • Honey

Instructions

In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese, flour, egg, salt, sugar, and baking soda until well combined. The mixture should be pliable but a little sticky.

Heat some vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Take about 2 tablespoons of the cottage cheese mixture and shape it into a ball, then flatten it slightly. Place the syrniki directly onto the heated pan as you go.

Fry for about 1 minute on each side until they are golden brown.

Serve these delicious syrniki hot, topped with sour cream, jam, berries, or honey.

Tip: If you don't want to fry them all at once, you can freeze the uncooked syrniki. Dust them in flour, place them on a mat, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to a ziplock bag for easy storage.

These syrniki strike the perfect balance between crispy and soft, making them a delightful breakfast treat that everyone will love.