Syrniki (Russian Curd Cheese Pancakes)
Local name: Сырники
In short: Golden Russian pancakes of fresh curd cheese, egg and a little flour, pan-fried until crisp outside and creamy inside. Serve with sour cream and jam. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 320 kcal
Syrniki are small, thick pancakes made from tvorog, the fresh curd cheese that Russians buy at every grocery store. Mixed with an egg, a little sugar and just enough flour to hold the shape, they fry to a crisp golden crust while the middle stays soft and creamy. They are a breakfast favorite for children and adults, served warm with sour cream, jam, honey or fresh berries. The cheese must be dry and crumbly, or the dough turns sticky.
Instructions
- If the cheese looks wet, wrap it in a clean cloth, set it over a bowl and press it for 30 minutes to drain. Then mash it with a fork until smooth.
- Mix in the egg, sugar, vanilla and salt, then stir in the 5 tablespoons of flour. The dough should be soft but able to hold a shape.
- Spread the coating flour on a plate. With wet hands, roll a heaped tablespoon of dough into a ball, flatten it to a disc about 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick and press both sides into the flour. Shape the rest the same way.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Fry the syrniki in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden and firm to the touch, adding more oil as needed.
- Drain briefly on paper towels and serve hot with sour cream, jam, honey or berries.
Tips
- If you cannot find tvorog, press dry cottage cheese in a cloth or drain quark overnight in a sieve. Wet cheese is the most common reason syrniki fall apart.
- Keep the heat at medium and the discs thick. They need time to cook through before the crust browns, and turning them too early makes them break.
Questions and answers
Why do my syrniki fall apart?
The cheese is usually too wet. Drain it in a cloth for 30 minutes, add a spoon more flour if the dough sticks to your hands, and flip only when the underside is firm and golden.
What is tvorog and what can I use instead?
Tvorog is a fresh curd cheese, drier and crumblier than most cottage cheese. Well-drained cottage cheese, farmer cheese or quark are good substitutes.
Can syrniki be baked instead of fried?
Yes. Bake them on a lined tray at 190°C (375°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once. They will be paler and softer than pan-fried ones.
How long does it take to make Syrniki (Russian Curd Cheese Pancakes)?
About 30 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Syrniki (Russian Curd Cheese Pancakes)?
About 320 kcal per serving, with 24 g of protein, 23 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 23 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
