Kefir Pancakes, called Oladi (Оладики) is a Russian breakfast favorite. Crispy on the outside, yet still fluffy and tasty on the inside! If you like buttermilk pancakes, you'll love Kefir Pancakes!
Kefir Pancakes are a Slavic breakfast staple, smaller in size than American pancakes. I always remember eating it at the summer dacha (like a Russian cabin in the woods), usually with fresh berries and cream. It's easy to make for breakfast, and something different if you're looking for a new pancake recipe.
What is Kefir?
Kefir is a fermented milk drink, full of probiotics. It's different from yogurts because the it's made from kefir grains. It has the consistency of a thin yogurt, has a slightly sour taste, and is a tiny bit fizzy.
Originating in the Northern Caucasus and spreading throughout Russia and the former Soviet Union. Kefir is part of the Russian diet, and not some new hipster trend like Oat milk (sorry Oat milk fans). 🤣
Oladi Pancakes
This is an easy 'made from scratch' Oladi recipe, with one difference, Kefir. As mentioned, Kefir is a probiotic filled, fermented yogurt like product that is incredibly healthy and part of the Russian diet.
Oladi aren't as sweet as many pancake recipes. This is due to the tanginess of the Kefir and the less sugar used when comparing to other pancake recipes. If you like sweeter pancakes, add an extra tablespoon of sugar to the batter.
Ingredients for Kefir Pancakes
Like many Russian recipes, the ingredients are simple. You probably have them all already in your pantry and don't need to go shopping to prepare this recipe.
- Kefir - tangy and fermented probiotic drink
- Eggs - to keep the ingredients together
- Oil - Sunflower or Canola - for the batter and frying
- All Purpose Flour - can also use wheat flour or even buckwheat flour
- Baking Powder - helps the batter rise
- Baking Soda - makes it super fluffy
- White Sugar
- Salt
Kefir Substitute
Kefir can be found in most supermarkets these days, or you can make your own kefir at home using kefir grains. However, sometimes you might not have it available, so here are some substitutions.
- Buttermilk - equally interchangeable with Kefir
- Greek Yogurt and milk - use 1-¼ cups of natural yogurt with ½ cup of milk
- Whey - if making Farmer's Cheese, save the whey for pancakes
How to Make Kefir Pancakes
So this is the easy part, make them just like you would make regular pancakes.
- Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl
- Make a well, add eggs, kefir and oil, whisk until lump free
- Heat oil in frying pan, spoon 2 tablespoons batter to make a Kefir pancake
- Cook until bubbles appear, then flip over until golden brown
- Only flip them once, and serve right away
What to Serve with Kefir Pancakes?
I love the classics, and eating them in the traditional Russian style, with homemade Smetana or Sour Cream. Honestly, you can use the same toppings as you enjoy Blini Crepes with, or your favorite pancake toppings.
- homemade sour cream and fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries)
- jam, like blueberry or strawberry
- whipped cream and fresh raspberries
- drizzled with honey
- spread with caramel sauce
- nutella, peanut butter and bananas, chocolate sauce....
- maple syrup, of course!
Recipe Tips
- For sweeter Kefir Pancakes, add an extra tablespoon of sugar to the batter
- Batter should have consistency of a thick cream, add extra tablespoon of flour if you need it thicker
- Mix in some fruit into the batter - like diced apples or fresh blueberries
- If you're feeling naughty, mix in some chocolate chips!
Breakfast Recipes You'll Love
- Syrniki - Cheese Pancakes
- Blini - Russian Crepes
- Mannaya Kasha - Russian Cream of Wheat
- Stuffed Breakfast Crepes with Bacon and Egg
- Buckwheat Porridge Kasha
Don't buy pancake mix from the store, it's so easy to make homemade pancakes with Kefir. You'll love this healthier Russian breakfast staple - Oladi, like eating at babushka's kitchen. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups kefir whey, buttermilk or milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 cups flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- oil for frying
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt.
- Create a well in the centre, and add the kefir, eggs, and oil and slowly whisk until smooth and most of the lumps are gone.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Make sure the frying pan is hot. Add about 2 tablespoons of batter to make each pancake. You should fit 3-4 pancakes in a large trying pan.
- Cook the pancakes until bubbles appear on the pancakes and a few of them have burst. The trick is to get as many bubbles bursting as you can without burning the pancakes.
- Carefully flip the pancake to cook the other side until golden brown. Remove pancakes to a plate or on a tray in a warmed oven. Add more oil and repeat process with the remaining batter.
- Serve with fresh berries, jam and sour cream.
Li Tol
Made this recipe multiple times the husband loves it and I enjoy it too. Reminds me of mother Russia hahaha. Thank you for sharing!
Peter Kolesnichenko
So glad to hear you guys love it!!! ❤️
Tatiyanna@tatiyannak
I made these for breakfast today instead of the usual Costco mix. What a difference! I took your suggestion and used the whey left over from your tvorog recipe. My four kids fought over the last one, to the extent that the last pancake had to be cut into 4 equal parts. It's my new go to fabulous breakfast hit!
PetersFoodAdventures
haha, it's always great when kids fight over healthy food! I love using leftover whey from tvorog, just adds a mysterious depth and flavour to food, so delicious!
Niki Lange
Peter,
I enjoy receiving your recipes by email. Thank you.
I am looking for a traditional Russian blini recipe for Maslenitsa next week.
They are made with yeast etc. Would you have it ?
PetersFoodAdventures
Hi Niki, thanks for reaching out. We never ate the yeast version too often usually opting for the quicker version of blini without yeast. I only have posted a 'regular' blini recipe on the blog. ???? http://petersfoodadventures.com/2016/04/12/blini/
atkokosplace
Whip cream and berries is the best way to have them! 🙂
PetersFoodAdventures
So true, but in my case, fresh berries are expensive here in Australia, $40 a kilo! I miss have lots of raspberries growing in the back yard, for free! lol
atkokosplace
I bet. I can't wait for raspberries to show up along my fence line! 🙂 Nothing like fresh food you've grown! Congrats to you for growing a garden. Keeping your family healthy is awesome! 🙂
PetersFoodAdventures
Thanks, I agree, nothing better than home grown food! 🙂
Moya
Your pancakes look delicious and of course with fresh berries, delicious. Never would use packet pancake mix either 🙂
PetersFoodAdventures
Thanks Moya for stopping by for your lovely comments! The berries were delicious too! 🙂
Gretchen
I just love fresh fruit on pancakes and waffles. The best of summer! Unfortunately we don't get raspberries, too hot I guess. I buy them frozen now and then or use our blackberries from the garden in season. Your pancakes look fantastic.
PetersFoodAdventures
I love fresh fruit too! It sucks living in a warm climate for growing northern berries, especially if you grew up with them! Our fresh berries in the store are $64 a kilogram ($29 a pound), which is ridiculous! Thanks for stopping by and the lovely comments! 🙂
Lynz Real Cooking
Looks amazing and love the fruit! yumm
PetersFoodAdventures
Thanks! The fruit was amazing, especially the yellow raspberries! It's so good drowned in whipped cream, but thats hard to photograph!
Lynz Real Cooking
I am sure! your photos are very nice!
PetersFoodAdventures
thank you very much, and thanks for stopping by and liking! 🙂
Lynz Real Cooking
Sure!