Blini Pancakes
This Russian side builds buckwheat and yeast into a fuss-free meal you can have ready in about 85 minutes. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 13 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and pan. At medium difficulty across 13 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (2)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: vegetarian — no meat or fish, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Gluten Dairy Egg
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup buckwheat flour, 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon yeast.
- Make a well in the center and pour in 1 cup warm milk, whisking until the batter is smooth.
- Cover the bowl and let the batter rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Enrich and Rest the Batter
- Stir 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 egg yolk into the batter.
- In a separate bowl, whisk 1 egg white until stiff, but not dry.
- Fold the whisked egg white into the batter.
- Cover the bowl and let the batter stand 20 minutes.
- Pan-Fry the Blini
- Heat butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Drop quarter-sized dollops of batter into the pan, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 1 minute or until bubbles form.
- Turn and cook for about 30 additional seconds.
- Remove the finished blini onto a plate and cover them with a clean kitchen towel to keep warm. Add more butter to the pan and repeat the frying process with the remaining batter.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Pan · Whisk
Watch how it's made
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Ingredient substitutions
- Milk
- any unsweetened plant milk · ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
- Butter
- olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine
What to serve with Blini Pancakes
- Beef stroganoff Beef
- Cabbage Soup (Shchi) Vegetarian
- Fish Soup (Ukha) Seafood
- Potato Salad (Olivier Salad) Pork
Tips & common questions
How long does Blini Pancakes take to make?
About 85 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 13 steps and 7 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of milk?
Try any unsweetened plant milk. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Blini Pancakes vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat, fish or shellfish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheese for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Structured source recipe — not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Recipe data for Blini Pancakes via TheMealDB (open database). ▶ Video. Original source. Consomee adds the scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.