Whip Up Ina Garten’s Dreamy Fluffy Blini Recipe Today

Soft, delicate blinis dance on the plate with an elegance that Ina Garten’s recipe perfectly captures.

These Russian-style pancakes bring a touch of sophistication to any gathering.

Light as clouds and wonderfully versatile, blinis serve as the ultimate canvas for creative toppings.

The delicate batter requires a gentle touch and simple ingredients that create magic in minutes.

Garten’s technique ensures each blini turns out perfectly golden and irresistibly tender.

Rich with butter and subtle flavor, these mini pancakes make a stunning appetizer or brunch centerpiece.

You’ll fall in love with their delicate texture and endless serving possibilities.

Ingredients to Make Ina Garten’s Blini

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the tender, soft foundation for these delicate blinis, ensuring a light and airy texture.
• Cake Flour: Adds extra softness and helps create a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
• Baking Powder: Creates gentle lift and helps the blinis become wonderfully fluffy.
• Sugar: Balances flavors and promotes beautiful golden browning.
• Bicarbonate of Soda: Helps neutralize acidity and contributes to the blinis' light texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Buttermilk: Brings tangy richness and helps activate the leavening agents for supreme tenderness.
• Butter: Adds luxurious flavor and helps create a golden, crisp exterior.
• Egg Yolk: Contributes richness, color, and helps bind the ingredients smoothly.
• Egg Whites: Creates incredible lightness and helps the blinis rise beautifully.

• Additional Butter: Perfect for greasing the pan and creating a delectable, golden-brown crust.

Utensils for Mixing and Shaping Blini

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and creating the blini batter.
• Medium jug or measuring cup: Essential for whisking wet ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Great for mixing buttermilk, melted butter, and egg yolk.
• Electric mixer: Helps create perfectly whipped egg whites with stiff peaks.
• Fine mesh sieve: Ensures a smooth, lump-free batter.
• Frying pan: Non-stick surface works best for cooking delicate blinis.
• Spatula: Helps gently fold egg whites and flip blinis without breaking.
• Pastry brush: Useful for evenly buttering the pan between batches.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.

Steps to Create Blini the Ina Way

• Blini Preparation

Gather all necessary kitchen tools and ingredients for creating these delicate, fluffy pancakes. Select a smooth, heavy-bottomed pan that ensures even cooking and beautiful golden surfaces.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine flour varieties with leavening agents in a spacious mixing bowl. Ensure no clumps remain by sifting the powdery mixture gently.

• Liquid Component

Whisk buttermilk, melted butter, and egg yolk in a separate container. The liquid should have a smooth, consistent texture without any separation.

• Batter Formation

Create a small crater in the center of dry ingredients and gradually pour liquid mixture. Stir carefully until a silky, uniform batter develops. Remove any potential lumps by passing through a fine-mesh strainer.

• Egg White Transformation

Beat egg whites and salt until they form glossy, sturdy peaks. These delicate whites will provide incredible lightness to the blini.

• Gentle Incorporation

Fold whipped egg whites into batter with a soft, careful motion. Maintain the airiness by using minimal stirring and preserving the delicate volume.

• Cooking Magic

Warm a non-stick pan on medium heat, then reduce to low. Lightly coat surface with butter. Pour small rounds of batter, watching for bubbles indicating readiness. Flip when edges turn golden and cook opposite side until perfectly done.

Switch Up Your Blini Toppings and Style

• Pro Tips & Twists
• Aim for a smooth, silky texture without overmixing – stop stirring the moment dry and wet ingredients combine to keep blinis light and fluffy.
• Use a non-stick pan and maintain a consistent low-medium heat to prevent burning, ensuring golden-brown perfection for each blini.
• Beat whites until they form stiff, glossy peaks but don't overwork – gentle folding preserves the airy structure that makes blinis delightfully tender.
• Top traditional blinis with smoked salmon and crème fraîche, or experiment with sweet options like fresh berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of honey for versatile serving styles.
• Keep cooked blinis warm in a low-temperature oven (around 200°F) while preparing subsequent batches, maintaining their soft texture and serving temperature.

Plate and Present Blini Like a Pro

• Pair with Luxurious Toppings: Dress up these delicate blinis with premium smoked salmon, a dollop of crème fraîche, and fresh dill for an elegant appetizer that screams sophistication.
• Create Brunch Brilliance: Stack these fluffy blinis with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon bits, and a sprinkle of chives for a show-stopping weekend breakfast that will impress family and friends.
• Design Party Platters: Arrange blinis on a beautiful wooden board with various gourmet toppings like caviar, caramelized onions, herbed goat cheese, and thinly sliced prosciutto for stunning cocktail hour entertainment.
• Craft Sweet Variations: Transform these versatile pancakes into dessert by topping with fresh berries, whipped cream, and a light dusting of powdered sugar for a delightful sweet treat that feels indulgent yet light.

Store Extra Blini with No Worries

• Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover blini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stack them with parchment paper between each pancake to prevent sticking.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap blini individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They'll stay fresh for 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or gently reheat in a skillet.
• Batter Prep Tip: Mix batter just before cooking for the fluffiest texture. If waiting, cover and refrigerate for no more than 2 hours to maintain the egg whites' volume.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve blini warm for the best taste and texture. Reheat gently in a low-temperature skillet or toaster oven to avoid drying out the delicate pancakes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 13 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 149 kcal

Servings: 4

Elegant Ina Garten Blini Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s classic blini recipe delivers delightful Russian-style mini pancakes perfect for elegant appetizers. Delicate buckwheat and all-purpose flour create light, airy rounds that welcome caviar, smoked salmon, or sour cream toppings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 200 ml (6.8 fl oz) buttermilk
• 1 egg (separated)
• 20 g (0.7 oz) melted butter
• 50 g (1.8 oz) buckwheat flour
• 25 g (0.9 oz) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp caster sugar
• 1 pinch bicarbonate of soda
• 1 pinch salt
• butter (for frying)
• sour cream
• chives
• crab or caviar
• lemon jam

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Instructions

1. Dry Ingredient Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and baking soda, ensuring uniform distribution of dry ingredients.
2. Liquid Component Blending: Whisk buttermilk, melted unsalted butter, and egg yolk in a separate container until completely integrated and smooth.
3. Batter Formation: Create a well in the dry ingredients and pour the liquid mixture, stirring methodically to eliminate lumps. Use a fine-mesh strainer to catch any potential flour clusters, maintaining a silky batter consistency.
4. Egg White Integration: Whip egg whites with a pinch of salt until they form stiff, glossy peaks that maintain their structural integrity when the whisk is lifted.
5. Final Batter Assembly: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the primary batter in three careful stages, preserving the mixture’s delicate airiness and preventing deflation.
6. Cooking Preparation: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat, then reduce to low-medium. Apply a minimal butter coating to ensure even, non-stick cooking surface.
7. Blini Cooking Process: Drop batter onto the heated surface to create circular pancakes, cooking until bubbles form across the top. Flip when edges turn golden, completing cooking on the reverse side until achieving a warm, uniform bronze coloration.

Notes

• Precise Flour Mixing: Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure even distribution, creating a smoother batter texture.
• Egg White Technique: Whip egg whites to stiff peaks carefully, using clean, dry whisks to maintain maximum volume and airiness in the blini.
• Temperature Control: Maintain low-medium heat while cooking to prevent burning and achieve evenly golden blinis with perfect soft interiors.
• Batter Consistency Check: Aim for a smooth, pourable batter that’s not too thick or thin – it should spread easily but not run all over the cooking surface.

• Prep Time: 13 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Russian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 149
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 131 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg