Best Russian Pancakes Recipe for Blini or French Crêpes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between French crepes and Russian blini? ›

Blini – also known as blinchiki in the diminutive and singular as blin – are thin Russian crepes, similar to French crepes (but often a little bit thicker). Made from a very simple, unleavened batter, Blini are easy to whip together and can be enjoyed both savory and sweet!

Unlike regular pancakes, blinis are made with yeast rather than baking powder so they are softer and more delicate. And blinis are made with buckwheat flour which gives it the signature slightly nutty flavour.

Blini (plural blinis or blini, rarely bliny; Russian: блины pl.), singular: blin, are an Eastern European pancake made from various kinds of flour of buckwheat, wheat, etc.

Meanwhile, Russian pancakes take on a much larger array of size and texture. Small blinis — crafted as a vessel for caviar and other small bites — can be less than 1.5 inches in diameter. Russians also craft their blini wider but ultra-thin, similar to crepes in appearance.

In a recent survey, the crêpe au sucre (crepe covered with melted butter and sprinkled with granulated sugar) was named as French people's favorite way to enjoy a crepe. This is followed by crepes filled with different kinds of jam, and with spreads like Nutella.

Blinis can be served as is, or with savoury or sweet additions. Serving suggestions include boiled fish, salmon, smoked sturgeon, salted and marinated herring, fish salad, marinated mushrooms, caviar, grated cheese, sliced eggs, fish pastes, and sauces.

24 soft blini pancakes with a refreshing crème fraîche and chive dip and slices of mild, oak-smoked Scottish salmon to swirl on top. The blinis can be served hot or cold - just add lemon wedges for your guests to squeeze over. A classic choice for a party, made even better with a glass of fizz.

The secret to fluffy restaurant style pancakes? Buttermilk! The acid in the buttermilk reacts to the leavening agents in the pancake batter, creating air bubbles that make the pancakes tall and fluffy. It's a simple switch that makes all the difference.

Russian idiom explained. This well-known phrase has not so obvious explanation. According to a modern spelling ПЕРВЫЙ БЛИН КОМОМ, it literally means “the first pancake is always a lumpy one” and reminds us not to expect the first attempt to be successful.

What does it mean when a Russian calls you a pancake? ›

Блин (Blin)

Literal definition: pancake. Meaning: an expression of annoyance. Блин is similar in pronunciation to a vulgar Russian word, so it's often used as a relatively appropriate substitute, much like "fudge" and "sugar" in English.

French crêpes are well known in the UK and are officially made in a crêpe pan to form a thin pancake. Made from flour, milk and eggs, these are closest counterparts to English pancakes, and can be served sweet or savoury.

Don't over-mix the batter - As mentioned in the recipe you only want to mix the batter until it just comes together. Lumps are okay! Over mixing will develop too much gluten in the batter leading to tough, chewy pancakes.

Restaurants use better quality ingredients

Restaurants tend to use real, farm-fresh eggs and real milk when making their pancakes, which as you might guess, adds to a richer, higher-quality eating experience.

Over-mixing the batter will develop the gluten in the flour too much, making your pancakes dense and chewy. Not Letting the Batter Rest: Once you've mixed the batter, stop and do something else, like set the table and heat up the griddle.

In Bavaria, crepes are called palatschinke. While similar to a French crepe, the Bavarian crepe batter doesn't need to rest before using. Both types of crepes lend themselves to delicious desserts and fresh breakfast settings.

Crêpes are usually one of two varieties: sweet crêpes (crêpes sucrées) or savoury galettes (crêpes salées). They are often served with a wide variety of fillings such as cheese, fruit, vegetables, meats, and a variety of spreads.

Blini are potato pancakes, typically eaten for breakfast. My family occasionally enjoys these treats on special occasions. Blintzes are a type of crepe stuffed with ricotta cheese and dusted with powdered sugar. Blintzes are traditionally eaten for dinner, despite their sweeter taste.

Not all crêpes are made the same. There are two main categories of crêpes: sucré (sweet) and salé (savory). The first type is traditionally made with wheat flour, the second with buckwheat (or sarrasin) flour. The latter is often referred to as a galette, instead of a crêpe.