Description
Blini are traditional Russian crepes that are thin, delicate pancakes perfect for both sweet and savory toppings. Made with a simple batter of flour, eggs, milk, and water, these versatile blini are cooked on a stovetop skillet until golden and served warm or at room temperature. Ideal for breakfast or appetizers, they can be topped with sour cream, jam, smoked salmon, caviar, or fresh dill.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Jam
- Smoked salmon
- Caviar
- Fresh dill
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt until evenly combined to ensure a uniform batter.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then gradually whisk in the warm milk and water to create a smooth liquid mixture.
- Create batter: Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, whisking continuously until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. Stir in the melted butter to enrich the batter.
- Rest batter: Let the batter rest for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the flour to fully absorb the liquids and improve texture.
- Preheat pan: Heat a nonstick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter to prevent sticking and develop a golden crust.
- Cook blini: Pour about 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter into the pan, swirling it to coat the bottom in a thin, even layer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the bottom is lightly golden.
- Flip and finish cooking: Flip the blin and cook the other side for an additional 30 seconds until just cooked through.
- Repeat and serve: Transfer the cooked blini to a plate and continue the process with the remaining batter, stacking them to keep warm. Serve the blini warm or at room temperature with your choice of sweet or savory toppings such as sour cream, jam, smoked salmon, caviar, or fresh dill.
Notes
- For thinner blini, add a little extra water to the batter until you reach the desired consistency.
- Blini can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- To reheat, warm blini in a skillet over low heat or briefly microwave until heated through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Russian, Eastern European
