Cocktail Blini (For Caviar and More!)

Blini, some topped with salmon and caviar, spread out on a table

Cocktail Blini (For Caviar and More!)

Homemade blini are incomparably delicious and tender (much more so than store-bought), and they're so easy to make. These quick but luxurious cocktail blini are the perfect vehicle for smoked salmon, caviar, or creme fraiche, among other things. My absolute favorite way to eat one of my favorite foods... caviar!

Prep: 15

Cook: 30

Total: 45

Yield:24 blini

Equipment

Medium bowl
Large bowl
whisk
Plate
Paper towels
Large skillet
Tablespoon (or tablespoon-sized cookie scoop)
Very thin spatula

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour see Notes
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
¾ cup milk of choice see Notes
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
butter or avocado oil, for frying

Instructions

In large bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder. In medium bowl, whisk together milk, sugar, egg, and melted butter.
Slowly whisk egg mixture into flour mixture until batter is combined and mostly smooth, with some small lumps remaining. Be careful not to over-mix.
Line plate with paper towels and set aside. Lightly grease skillet with butter or avocado oil. Heat skillet over medium-low to medium heat (I usually set mine on 4 out of 10).
Drop 1-tablespoon-sized scoops of batter into heated skillet. Cook until bubbles form, approximately 1 ½ to 2 minutes. Flip blini over and continue cooking until browned, approximately 1 minute. Transfer blini from skillet to plate lined with paper towels (to help soak up excess butter). Wipe out skillet and repeat process until all batter has been used. Serve warm with toppings of choice.

Notes

I use a paper towel with a little avocado oil on it to grease the skillet. Just wipe the paper towel on the surface, that way you don't have to worry about having too much oil in the skillet. Make sure to grease the skillet again after each time you wipe it out.
Milk: If batter is too thick, add a little extra milk (approximately ¼ cup or so).
Make it Gluten Free: Use 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Make it Dairy Free: Use plant-based milk and butter.
Make it Added-Sugar Free: Use a sugar substitute like granular Swerve or monk fruit.

Recipe yields approximately 24 blini. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 blin. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the total number of blini made. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

Recipe By:Cheryl Malik