Fluffy fried cheesecakes
3 servings
30 minutes
Fluffy fried syrniki are a true delight of Russian cuisine, easy to prepare yet surprisingly delicious. Their roots trace back to the traditions of village breakfasts when housewives made tender cottage cheese pancakes for the whole family. Syrniki have a soft, slightly moist texture inside with a crispy golden crust outside. The sweet taste of cottage cheese, accented by a light vanilla note, pairs perfectly with jam, sour cream, or honey. These aromatic syrniki are not only great for morning tea but can also serve as an excellent dessert or light snack throughout the day. Their main advantage is simplicity and versatility: they cook quickly and always delight with their softness and rich creamy flavor.
1
Place the cottage cheese in a deep bowl, add sugar, salt, and break in an egg. Whisk until homogeneous. The recipe calls for only 1 egg because more eggs will hinder the stickiness of the mixture; it will spread on the pan and flip poorly.
- Cottage cheese 9%: 600 g
- Chicken egg (large): 1 piece
- Sugar: 2 tablespoons
- Salt: pinch
2
Gradually add flour one spoon at a time. Not much flour is needed: it's only for convenience in shaping and frying, not for taste. If you overdo it, the cheese pancakes will be dry.
- Premium wheat flour: 3 tablespoons
3
Pour in the oil and mix.
- Sunflower oil: 1 tablespoon
4
Pour flour onto a wooden cutting board and spread it evenly. Roll balls from the mixture directly on the board.
- Premium wheat flour: 3 tablespoons
5
Pour sunflower oil into the pan and heat it over medium heat (on an induction stove, the power is 5 out of 9), drop in the balls and fry on both sides until golden brown. Then pour in a little water so that it slightly covers the bottom of the pan. Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to almost minimum. The time the syrniki are kept inside depends on how quickly the edges rise. When they turn golden and are firm enough that a spatula's edge doesn't pierce them with light pressure, you can remove them from the heat. They will be soft, and the edges should easily compress with fingers.
- Sunflower oil: 1 tablespoon