Syrniki are a classic dish of Russian cuisine, typically served for breakfast. Made from cottage cheese, they are fried until golden brown and served with sour cream, jam, or honey. Though the ingredients are simple, perfecting them requires skill—they should turn out fluffy, tender, and full of flavor.
### Step-by-Step Recipe
Now, let’s move on to the cooking process, which consists of a few key steps.
**Step 1: Preparing the dough**
In a deep bowl, combine cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth. If you prefer sweeter syrniki, you can increase the sugar, but too much may cause them to burn.

Gradually add flour until the dough is soft but not too dense. The amount of flour may vary depending on the moisture in the cottage cheese. Add it little by little to achieve the right consistency—the dough should be slightly sticky but hold its shape. If it sticks too much to your hands, add a bit more flour, but be cautious: too much will make the syrniki tough.
**Step 2: Shaping the syrniki**
Lightly flour your work surface. Take a small portion of dough, roll it into a ball, then flatten it into a patty. The ideal thickness is about 1–1.5 cm for even cooking.
To prevent sticking, moisten your hands with water or a little oil.

**Step 3: Frying the syrniki**
A heavy-bottomed nonstick pan works best for frying. Avoid high heat—this can burn the outside while leaving the inside raw. Medium heat ensures even cooking and a perfectly golden crust.
Heat the pan and add some oil. Place the syrniki, leaving space between them for easy flipping.
Fry for 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Then, cover the pan, reduce the heat, and cook for another 2–3 minutes to ensure they’re fully done inside.