Syrniki (Russian Cottage Cheese Pancakes) – Authentic & Fluffy
Soft on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, Shyrniki are traditional Russian cottage cheese pancakes enjoyed for breakfast or dessert. This authentic Shyrniki recipe uses simple ingredients and delivers perfectly fluffy results every time.
📌 What Are Shyrniki?
Shyrniki (сырники) are classic Eastern European cottage cheese pancakes, popular in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. They are lightly sweet, pan-fried, and usually served with sour cream, honey, jam, or fresh berries.
Unlike regular pancakes, Shyrniki are:
- High in protein
- Made with cottage cheese (farmer’s cheese)
- Naturally filling and comforting
🧀 Ingredients for Shyrniki
Serves: 3–4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes
- 400 g cottage cheese (farmer’s cheese or dry curd cottage cheese)
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- 4–5 tbsp all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter (for frying)
👩🍳 How to Make Shyrniki (Step-by-Step)
1️⃣ Prepare the Cheese
If your cottage cheese is wet, drain excess liquid. Mash or blend until smooth for fluffy Shyrniki.
2️⃣ Make the Batter
In a bowl, combine:
- Cottage cheese
- Egg
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Salt
Mix until smooth.
3️⃣ Add Flour
Gradually mix in flour until the mixture is soft but not sticky. Do not overmix.
4️⃣ Shape the Pancakes
Lightly flour your hands. Shape small round patties about ½ inch thick and dust lightly with flour.
5️⃣ Fry
Heat oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Fry Shyrniki for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.
🌟 Why This Shyrniki Recipe Works
- Uses proper cheese-to-flour ratio
- Avoids dense or gummy texture
- Lightly fried for a crispy crust
- Balanced sweetness for toppings
🍓 Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with:
- Sour cream (traditional)
- Honey or maple syrup
- Strawberry or raspberry jam
- Fresh berries
- Powdered sugar
🔁 Variations & Add-Ins
- Raisin Shyrniki: Add 2 tbsp soaked raisins
- Lemon Shyrniki: Add lemon zest
- Gluten-Free: Use rice flour or almond flour
- Savory Shyrniki: Skip sugar, add herbs and salt
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer:
Freeze cooked Shyrniki for up to 2 months.
Reheat:
Pan-fry lightly or microwave until warm.
❓ Shyrniki FAQ
What cheese is best for Shyrniki?
Dry cottage cheese or farmer’s cheese works best. Avoid very wet cottage cheese.
Are Shyrniki pancakes or cheesecakes?
They are cheese pancakes, somewhere between pancakes and mini cheesecakes.
Can I bake Shyrniki instead of frying?
Yes, bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15–18 minutes, flipping once.
Are Shyrniki healthy?
Yes. They are high in protein, lower in flour than pancakes, and filling.
🍽️ Nutrition (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 14g
- Carbs: 24g
- Fat: 12g
(Values may vary based on ingredients used)
⭐ Final Thoughts
This authentic Shyrniki recipe delivers soft, golden cottage cheese pancakes that taste just like those served in Russian homes. Whether for breakfast or dessert, Shyrniki are comforting, simple, and incredibly satisfying.
🔗 Similar Recipes You May Like
- Russian Blini with Sour Cream
- Ukrainian Cheese Pancakes
- Cottage Cheese Crepes
- Sweet Farmer’s Cheese Dumplings
- Eastern European Breakfast Classics

Comments
Post a Comment