Thin, tender crepes with a creamy sweet cheese filling
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
Traditional Ukrainian dish with comforting homemade flavor
Can be made ahead and reheated easily
Simple ingredients with elegant results
Customizable with fruit, sauces, or different fillings
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
all-purpose flour milk eggs butter, melted sugar salt farmer’s cheese or ricotta cheese vanilla extract powdered sugar sour cream (optional for serving)
Directions
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, sugar, and salt until smooth.
Gradually add the flour and whisk until a thin, lump-free batter forms. Let the batter rest for about 10 minutes.
Heat a lightly buttered skillet over medium heat.
Pour a small amount of batter into the pan and swirl it to create a thin crepe.
Cook for about 1–2 minutes until the edges lift slightly, then flip and cook the other side briefly.
Repeat with the remaining batter, stacking the cooked crepes on a plate.
In a bowl, mix the farmer’s cheese or ricotta with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
Place a spoonful of the cheese filling onto each crepe and fold or roll it into a neat rectangle.
Arrange the filled crepes in a buttered baking dish and dot with small pieces of butter.
Bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15–20 minutes until heated through.
Dust with powdered sugar and serve with sour cream if desired.
Servings and timing
Servings: 10–12 crepes
Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Bake time: 15–20 minutes Total time: about 55–60 minutes
Variations
Berry Nalysnyky Add fresh berries such as blueberries or raspberries to the cheese filling.
Lemon Cheese Filling Mix lemon zest into the cheese filling for a bright citrus flavor.
Raisin Nalysnyky Stir a handful of raisins into the sweet cheese mixture.
Chocolate Nalysnyky Drizzle melted chocolate over the finished crepes for a dessert-style version.
Savory Nalysnyky Replace the sweet filling with a savory mixture of cheese, herbs, or sautéed mushrooms.
Storage/Reheating
Storage Store leftover Nalysnyky in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing They can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating Reheat in a 325°F oven for about 10–15 minutes or warm gently in a skillet with a little butter.
FAQs
What are Nalysnyky?
Nalysnyky are traditional Ukrainian crepes filled with sweet cheese or savory fillings and often baked before serving.
What cheese is best for Nalysnyky?
Farmer’s cheese is traditional, but ricotta or cottage cheese can be used as substitutes.
Can I make the crepes ahead of time?
Yes, the crepes can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Why should the batter rest?
Resting the batter allows the flour to hydrate fully, creating smoother and more tender crepes.
Can I skip baking the crepes after filling them?
Yes, they can be served without baking, but baking helps meld the flavors and warm the filling.
Can I use cottage cheese?
Yes, blend cottage cheese slightly for a smoother filling if desired.
How thin should the crepes be?
They should be very thin, just enough batter to coat the pan lightly.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, a gluten-free flour blend can be used instead of regular flour.
What toppings go well with Nalysnyky?
Powdered sugar, sour cream, fruit sauces, or honey are common toppings.
Can Nalysnyky be served for dessert?
Yes, their sweet filling makes them a wonderful dessert option.
Conclusion
Nalysnyky are delicate Ukrainian crepes that combine soft, thin pancakes with a creamy sweet cheese filling. Their comforting flavor and elegant simplicity make them perfect for family meals, holidays, or special breakfasts. Whether served warm with powdered sugar or topped with fruit and cream, these crepes are a timeless and satisfying dish.
This Nalysnyky recipe features delicate Ukrainian crepes filled with a lightly sweetened cheese mixture and baked until soft and tender. These thin crepes with creamy sweet cheese filling are a traditional Eastern European comfort dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1½ cups farmer’s cheese or ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter (for baking dish)
Sour cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, sugar, and salt until smooth.
Gradually add the flour, whisking until a thin, lump-free batter forms.
Let the batter rest for 10 minutes to improve the texture of the crepes.
Heat a lightly buttered skillet over medium heat.
Pour a small amount of batter into the pan and swirl to coat the bottom with a thin layer.
Cook for 1–2 minutes until the edges begin to lift, then flip and cook the other side briefly.
Repeat with the remaining batter, stacking the finished crepes on a plate.
In a bowl, mix the farmer’s cheese or ricotta, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Place a spoonful of the cheese filling onto each crepe and roll or fold into a rectangle.
Arrange the filled crepes in a buttered baking dish and dot with small pieces of butter.
Bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15–20 minutes until heated through.
Dust with powdered sugar and serve with sour cream if desired.
Notes
Allowing the batter to rest helps produce softer and more flexible crepes.If using cottage cheese, blend it briefly for a smoother filling.These crepes can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.For extra flavor, add lemon zest or raisins to the cheese mixture.
