Here’s An Easy Oladi Recipe For Delicious Pancakes!
Craving a stack of pancakes with a bit of apple inside? These Oladi – a type of Russian pancake – are fluffy, delicious, and so easy to make.
Made with just a handful of common ingredients, it takes no time at all to whip up a batch for breakfast, brunch, or whenever you might be wanting them!
These classic buttermilk pancakes can be enjoyed sweet or savory – but since our version has apple in it, we’d suggest enjoying them sweet with syrup, honey, and/or berries!
It’s always interesting to see how recipes from different European regions have similarities and differences.
In this case, these Russian apple pancakes are somewhat similar to our recipe for German apple pancakes. You can make both and see the difference for yourself!
Ingredients
To make these oladi pancakes, here are the ingredients that you will need:
- Eggs – For the batter; used as a binder to hold the ingredients together.
- Apples – Added to the batter for flavor, texture, and natural sweetness. Can also be omitted if preferred.
- Buttermilk – Adds a tangy flavor and makes the oladi light and fluffy. Alternatively, you can use kefir.
- All-purpose flour – For the batter.
- Baking powder – Helps the oladi rise and become fluffy.
- Ground cinnamon – For extra flavor.
- Salt – Enhances the flavor.
- Brown sugar – To add sweetness; alternatively, use granulated sugar.
- Oil – For frying.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
Before you make this oladi recipe, have a read through these recipe tips so that you know just what to expect:
- You can replace some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, oatmeal, or buckwheat flour.
- Some versions of oladi contain grated apple, others don’t. If you don’t like the addition of apples, feel free to leave them out.
- You can add vanilla extract in addition to (or instead of) cinnamon for extra flavor.
- Some versions of oladi are made with yeast instead of baking powder. We prefer baking powder since it is quick and easy, but you can use yeast if you like.
- Make sure the baking powder you use isn’t expired so that the pancakes become fluffy.
- Use a neutral-tasting oil to fry the pancakes, as the type of oil used can affect the flavor.
How to Make Oladi – Step by Step Instructions
In this section, we’ll show you exactly how to make oladi from scratch. We’ve included the recipe process photos so that you can follow along as you cook and compare your progress at home.
The recipe card with more cooking details can be found at the bottom of this post!
Add all dry ingredients – flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt – to a bowl and mix.
Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Also add the eggs.
Whisk the ingredients together until you have a smooth, thick batter. It should drip slowly from the spoon. Some lumps are okay.
Peel, core, and grate the apples and add them to the bowl with the batter. Stir.
Grease a hot pan with oil. Spoon small portions of batter into the pan and fry on low heat for 4 minutes.
Using a spatula, flip the pancakes over and fry for another 3 minutes or until fully cooked and golden brown. Repeat until you have used all the batter.
Serve the oladi hot or warm, with honey, maple syrup, berries or jam. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
Oladi are best enjoyed hot and fresh, but you can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat them, you can fry them in a pan with a little bit of oil, microwave them or heat them in the oven at a low temperature.
You can also freeze leftover oladi if you want to keep them for longer. To do so, place them in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed these oladi, here are some more from this part of the world:
- Syrniki (Cheese Pancakes)
- Medovik (Honey Cake)
- Russian Crepes (Blini)
- Ponchiki (Cheese Donut Holes)
- Sochniki (Sweet Cheese Cookies)
Oladi (Russian Pancakes)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/5 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 apples
- 3 tablespoons oil, for frying
Instructions
- Combine all dry ingredients – flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt – in a bowl.1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/5 teaspoon salt
- Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Also add the eggs.2 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk
- Whisk the ingredients together until you have a smooth, thick batter. Some lumps are okay. It should drip slowly from the spoon.
- Peel, core and grate the apples. Add them to the bowl with batter. Stir.2 apples
- Grease a hot frying pan with oil. Spoon small portions of batter into the pan and fry on low heat for 4 minutes.3 tablespoons oil
- Using a spatula, flip the pancakes to the other side and cook for another 3 minutes or until fully cooked and golden brown. Repeat until you have used up all of the batter.
- Serve the oladi hot or warm, with honey, maple syrup, berries, or jam.
Notes
- You can replace some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, oatmeal, or buckwheat flour.
- You can use granulated sugar instead of brown sugar.
- Some versions of oladi contain grated apple, others don’t. If you don’t like the addition of apples, feel free to leave them out.
- You can add vanilla extract in addition to (or instead of) cinnamon.
- Make sure the baking powder you use hasn’t expired.
- Use a neutral-tasting oil to fry the pancakes, as the type of oil used can affect the flavor.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
