Few dishes embody comfort and tradition quite like Blintzes. With their paper-thin crepes wrapped around a smooth, lightly sweetened cheese filling and pan-fried until crisp and golden, blintzes bring together elegance and nostalgia in each bite. Whether served for brunch, holidays, or a leisurely weekend breakfast, they offer a beautiful blend of old-world charm and café-style indulgence, soft inside, crisp outside, and wonderfully satisfying.
Table of Contents
Blintzes Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 10 blintzes
Calories: 210 per blintz
Ingredients
For the Crepes:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Butter for cooking
For the Cheese Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or farmer’s cheese)
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
- 1 egg yolk (optional for richer texture)
Instructions
- Make the crepe batter: Whisk flour, milk, eggs, melted butter, salt, and sugar until smooth. Let rest 10 minutes.
- Cook crepes: Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Lightly butter, pour in ¼ cup batter, swirl thin, and cook 1–2 minutes. Flip briefly if desired. Repeat until all crepes are made.
- Mix filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, lemon zest, and egg yolk if using.
- Fill blintzes: Place 2 tablespoons filling on bottom third of each crepe. Fold sides inward, then roll like an envelope.
- Pan-fry: Heat butter over medium heat. Cook blintzes seam-side down until golden, then flip and brown the other side.
- Serve: Plate warm with powdered sugar, fruit, honey, or sour cream.
Substitutions & Dietary Swaps
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix; add 1 extra tablespoon milk if needed.
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream cheese and a cashew-based ricotta alternative.
- Lower Sugar: Substitute sweetener with monk fruit or leave out for a tangier filling.
- High-Protein: Add 2 tablespoons vanilla Greek yogurt to the filling.
- Fruit-Filled: Replace cheese with berry compote or apple filling for a sweeter variation.
Chef’s Pro Tips
- Resting the batter helps crepes cook evenly and prevents tearing.
- Use a nonstick skillet with light butter, too much fat prevents browning.
- Cook crepes lightly; they’ll brown more when pan-fried.
- Make filling smooth by beating cream cheese until lump-free before adding ricotta.
- For extra crispness, pan-fry in a blend of butter and oil.
Make Ahead, Storage & Reheating
These Blintzes are meal-prep friendly. Assemble them up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate before the final pan-fry. To store leftovers, refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze individually for up to 2 months. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes until crisp.
Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes
- Crepes tearing? Add a tablespoon more flour or let batter rest longer.
- Filling leaking? Ensure enough folding room and do not overfill.
- Not crisp? Increase heat slightly during final pan-fry.
- Too thick crepes? Thin batter with 1–2 tablespoons milk.
- Cheese filling too runny? Add 1–2 tablespoons cream cheese or chill filling before use.
Flavor Pairings & Serving Suggestions
Blintzes pair beautifully with fresh berries, honey, fruit compotes, or a dollop of sour cream. For brunch, serve alongside eggs, coffee, or a citrusy salad to balance their richness.
Pairing Recipes From Our Website
FAQs
Can I make blintzes ahead of time? Yes,prepare and refrigerate before pan-frying for up to 48 hours. Can I freeze blintzes? Absolutely. Freeze individually and pan-fry from frozen until golden. What’s the best cheese for blintzes? Farmer’s cheese is most traditional, but ricotta and cream cheese work well. Do I have to fry them? No! bake at 375°F for 12–15 minutes for a lighter version. Why are my crepes too thick? The batter needs thinning, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time. Can I make savory blintzes? Yes! Fill with spinach and cheese, mushrooms, or smoked salmon.
Conclusion
Delicate, golden, and filled with creamy sweetness, Blintzes are a timeless dish worth adding to your breakfast or brunch rotation. Whether you prefer them classic, fruity, or savory, these versatile crepe-wrapped parcels always deliver comfort and elegance. Make a batch this weekend and enjoy a beautifully nostalgic meal at home.
For food safety and dairy handling tips, visit the USDA Food Safety or the FDA Food Resources.