Palacsinta are Hungarian-style thin pancakes, very similar to French crêpes. They’re soft, flexible, and usually rolled or folded around sweet or savory fillings. They’re a beloved dish in Hungary and are often served as a dessert, snack, or even a main course depending on the filling.
🥞 Basic Palacsinta Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
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2 eggs
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1 1/4 cups (300 ml) milk
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1/2 cup (120 ml) sparkling water or club soda (makes it fluffier)
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1–2 tbsp sugar (optional for sweet version)
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Pinch of salt
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1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
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Butter or oil for frying
Instructions:
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Make the batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, eggs, milk, sparkling water, sugar (if using), salt, and vanilla until smooth. Let it rest for 15–30 minutes.
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Cook the pancakes: Heat a lightly greased nonstick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat. Pour a ladle of batter into the pan, swirling to coat it thinly.
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Flip: Cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden, then flip and cook the other side briefly.
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Fill and roll: Spread with your desired filling, roll up or fold, and serve.
🍫 Popular Sweet Fillings:
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Apricot jam or other fruit preserves
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Sweetened cottage cheese (túró) with lemon zest
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Nutella or chocolate sauce
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Ground walnuts or poppy seeds mixed with sugar
🧀 Savory Variants:
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Hortobágyi palacsinta (filled with meat stew and topped with paprika sauce)
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Ham and cheese with sour cream
Would you like a recipe for a specific filling like the túrós (cheese) version or the savory meat-filled one?
