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If you like regular pancakes, wait till you try Oladi! The sweet smell of cooking, the extra crispy fried edges and the fluffy, chewy inside is only a small part of what makes Russian Pancakes awesome. Once you sink your teeth in, you will not let them go.
Oladi is a family tradition that was passed on by my mother who also made them every morning before school. We were raised in a village and had plenty of milk coming from two cows, so buttermilk was always available for this pancake recipe.
Oladi are the Russian version of American buttermilk pancakes. They are light, fluffy, and so similar. The only difference is that we cook them in a pan with more oil for those crispy edges.
Russian Pancakes are also called Blini. Blini is a small pancake that is made from buckwheat flour. Blini are traditionally served with melted butter, sour cream, and either smoked salmon or caviar.
How to Make Russian Pancakes
- Make the Pancake Batter – Whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, salt, and sugar. Mix in the flour and baking powder until combined.
- Heat the Pan – Heat a skillet with oil until the oil is sizzling hot. Lower the heat to medium.
- Cook the Pancakes – Working in batches, use a tablespoon to pour a little batter to the hot oil. Cook the pancakes on each side until golden brown. Add a little oil in between each batch. Serve while warm.
Hot Tip: Use a large skillet so you can cook more pancakes at a time.
Freezing Buttermilk Pancakes
To freeze buttermilk pancakes, first flash freeze them by placing them on a baking sheet in one layer and freezing until completely frozen (about an hour). Once frozen, you can transfer them to an airtight container. By flash freezing the pancakes first, they won’t stick together.
Buttermilk pancakes can be frozen for 2 months. You can reheat the pancakes from frozen either using the microwave or in the oven (375°F for about 10 minutes).
FAQ
What does buttermilk do in pancakes?
Buttermilk does multiple things in pancakes. It reacts with the baking soda or powder for extra fluffy pancakes and helps break down the gluten to give a more tender pancake. Finally buttermilk gives pancakes a slight tang that is a classic flavor.
Can you substitute buttermilk for milk in pancakes?
Yes, you can substitute buttermilk for milk in pancakes. You can use the same amount of buttermilk that the recipe calls for.
What is the best buttermilk substitute?
The best buttermilk substitute is making buttermilk on your own. It’s very easy to do. All you need is lemon juice or white vinegar, and regular milk. To make 1 cup of buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup and add milk to the 1 cup line. Allow to sit for a few minutes before using. I recommend using 2% or whole milk when making the buttermilk substitute.
Serving Buttermilk Pancakes
You can serve buttermilk pancakes with so many different toppings! For a sweeter spread top, use fresh berries or serve with our raspberry jam. For more savory pancakes, serve with sour cream and a glass of milk.
More of Breakfast Recipes
- Cottage Cheese Pancakes – The perfect balance between healthy and delicious.
- Crazy Easy Sourdough Pancakes – Classic pancakes with a sourdough kick
- Buttermilk Waffles – Melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
- Perfect Crepes – Breakfast from France!
- Banana Pancakes– Naturally sweetened, fluffy flapjacks!
Recipe
Russian Pancakes Oladi
Print Pin
Servings
35 Units
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
If you like regular pancakes, wait till you try Oladi! The sweet smell of cooking, the extra crispy fried edges and the fluffy, chewy inside is only a small part of what makes Russian Pancakes awesome. Once you sink your teeth in, you will not let them go.
Ingredients
- 2 cup flour
- 3 eggs
- 2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp sugar
- canola Oil for frying
US Units – Metric
Instructions
Whisk the eggs together with the buttermilk, salt and sugar.
Add the flour and baking powder and mix to combine.
Heat up a pan with the oil until sizzling hot. Lower the heat to medium and use a tablespoon to pour small amounts of pancake batter into the hot oil.
Saute the pancakes on each side until golden brown. In between every batch add a little more oil to the skillet.
Serve them while they are still warm. They will be a little crispy on the sides.
Nutrition Facts
Russian Pancakes Oladi
Amount Per Serving
Calories 44 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Cholesterol 16mg5%
Sodium 53mg2%
Potassium 66mg2%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 43IU1%
Calcium 34mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted March 23, 2021
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KateSep 5, 2023 Super easy and so delicious!
was always intimidated to make these although I grew up eating them all the time. Finally decided to make them today and they were such a hit! Thank you for such a simple recipe!Natalya DrozhzhinSep 5, 2023 Hi Kate, Nostalgic food is the best! I'm glad you decided to give them a try!
Dave aJun 9, 2023 The way my mother always did it was to use our expired yogurt or milk or cottage cheese instead of the buttermilk. Came out to a similar result.
Natalya DrozhzhinJun 9, 2023 Dave, thats funny because in Ukraine mom used spoiled milk for this recipe. Loved reading this feedback, took me back the 90s in Ukraine.
LubaDec 31, 2022 Just wow ! So tasty ! Thank you for the recipe!!
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 31, 2022 Luba, this makes me so happy, thanks for taking the time to write feedback!
LanaMar 27, 2022 Very delicious 😋 I also like that you can combine all the ingredients in one bowl, very quick, easy and delicious, thank you for the recipe. I used coconut oil to fry mine, I feel like it crisps more that way, I read that once and now use it for most of my pancake recipes.
DianaAug 7, 2021 For anyone needing to eat gluten free, these turn out amazing with King Arthur Measure for Measure flour. Love the crisp edges!!
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 7, 2021 Thank you for the tip, Diana!
Aimee ShugarmanMar 24, 2021 Absolutely loved the crispy edges on these pancakes. The kids loved them too!!
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 24, 2021 I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thank you for taking the time to comment!
EdenMar 24, 2021 These pancakes were awesome! made them for breakfast and they were such a hit. Thank you for sharing!
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 24, 2021 So glad you enjoyed them, Eden!
JuliaMar 24, 2021 The fluffy texture and the crispy edges are my favourite parts of this recipe. So delicious!
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 24, 2021 So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Julia!
MaxFeb 21, 2021 Literally, just like mom used to make!
Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 22, 2021 Now that is the sweetest compliment, mom's food is always best 😊 I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe!
DeniseFeb 9, 2021 These pancakes are amazing. I put cinnamon in the batter....absolutely delicious...highly recommend!!!!
Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 10, 2021 I'm so glad you enjoyed them! I love the addition of cinnamon!
Yelena BrahimajDec 21, 2020 Best pancakes ever, thank you Natalia !
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 21, 2020 I'm glad they worked out and you enjoyed them. Thank you for your feedback Yelena!
MaddieMay 23, 2020 how many pancakes does this recipe make?
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 23, 2020 Maddie, depending on the size you make them, about 35.
AnnaApr 4, 2020 These are so good!! Made them for the first time today and told my husband I won’t be making regular pancakes ever again 😅
Natalya DrozhzhinApr 5, 2020 Hey Anna, I am glad. They are definitely perfectly fluffy, remind me of childhood! 🙂
See AlsoYeast Pancakes - Oladi
Lydia NedelcoApr 4, 2020 I dont have buttermilk. Can i use sour cream instead?
JasmineApr 27, 2020 you can make buttermilk substitute by using 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk!
DeniseFeb 9, 2021 I used almond milk.
Natalya DrozhzhinApr 27, 2020 Hey Jasmine, thank you for that tip!
Natalya DrozhzhinApr 4, 2020 Hey Lidiya, Unfortunately, sourcream alone wouldn't work. The liquid wouldn't be runny enough. There are ways you can create a buttermilk substitute, you can search on google for different options.
AnchovyFeb 1, 2020 oladi are made with kefir and not buttermilk.
InnaJul 12, 2016 These pancakes are just the best !!!!!!!! Very big Thank You for the recipe!!! Everyone needs to try them!!!! ??????????
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 12, 2016 Oh you are so sweet!! I thanks for sharing feedback 🙂
Olga ZimaFeb 29, 2016 oh !!!!!U have very tasty pancakes !!!
Natalya DrozhzhinMar 1, 2016 Oh, I am so happy to hear!
SofitDec 1, 2014 hey, looking for this recipe for a long time. do you know why they are falling and not stay flaffy after i take them out of the pan? thank you!
Lom AxeOct 14, 2015 Too much eggs i believe.
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 1, 2014 I am not sure why that would happen, mine kept their shape.
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 18, 2013 I think it the only one they sell in their refrigerator section. IN USA sour cream taste way different. 🙁
SheilaDec 3, 2013 I (an American) lived with a Russian family for 3 months in Moscow. My Russian "mom" made these for me at least three or four times a week...served with sour cream!! But not like the sour cream we get here in America...AN AMAZING SOUR CREAM that made these one of my favorite things!! Sometimes she would add little green grapes to them as well. Thanks for posting the recipe 😉
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 3, 2013 Hi Shiela, that must be really cool experience to live in Russia for some time. I totally know what you mean about sour cream. When we came to USA, we were hunting around to find the same sour cream 🙂 Some Russian stores may have it and Costco in Canada does too. 🙂
DianaNov 12, 2020 What kind of sour cream in Canada? I live in canada
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 13, 2020 Canada has a different sour cream than US does. The flavor is so delicious.
JessicaAug 15, 2013 I made these pancakes and they are delicious!!!! so soft and yummy!!! but i always add a lot more sugar cuz we like them really sweet!
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 16, 2013 You sound like my hubby! He loves sugar 😉 Glad you loved them
LilyAug 15, 2013 These look so good!
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 16, 2013 Thank you!
Vladislav NosickJul 31, 2013 What's so "russian" about this recipe besides u calling it "Oladi"? This is just basic pancakes recipe.
PennywhistlerJul 25, 2016 Actually, they are Ukrainian in origin.
Lom AxeOct 14, 2015 What are you talking about? Pancakes are made with milk, butter and a lot more baking powder. They taste nothing like Oladi
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 31, 2013 This is exactly how my mom made them, so I call them Russian. 🙂 But typically pancakes aren't fried in oil.
natalyaFeb 15, 2013 You can add yogurt with a bit of milk.
Zoya KleshchevnikovaOct 25, 2020 My mom uses yogurt instead and I think some milk! Turns out even better with the flavor like blueberry
Natalya DrozhzhinOct 26, 2020 Hey Zoya, thank you for sharing that tip. It will be useful for many!
natalyaJan 18, 2013 Yes sour cream will work but add little bit of milk to have enough liquid.
Mila T.Jan 18, 2013 Hi Natalya. Can I substitute buttermilk with something? Sour cream maybe?
natalyaNov 11, 2012 Thank you!
rebolomoNov 10, 2012 very nice tutorial
natalyaOct 17, 2012 Wow, awesome. Thanks for sharing your picture!!! I love it 🙂
