Finnish Buckwheat Pancakes with Savory Herring Spread
A delightful combination of hearty, slightly nutty buckwheat pancakes served with a creamy and flavorful spread made from finely chopped herring, dill, and sour cream. This dish offers a taste of traditional Finnish flavors with a modern twist.

🧂 Ingredients
- 200 g Buckwheat flour
- 100 g All-purpose flour
- 500 ml Milk
- 2 large Eggs
- 50 g Butter(melted, plus more for frying)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 200 g Salted herring fillets(drained and finely chopped)
- 150 g Sour cream
- 2 tbsp Fresh dill(finely chopped)
- 1/4 small Red onion(very finely diced)
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, whisk together buckwheat flour, all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar.
- 2
In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and melted butter.
- 3
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, whisking until a smooth batter forms. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.
- 4
While the batter rests, prepare the herring spread: In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped herring, sour cream, dill, red onion, lemon juice, and black pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- 5
Heat a lightly buttered frying pan or griddle over medium heat.
- 6
Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the hot pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- 7
Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more butter to the pan as needed.
- 8
Serve the warm buckwheat pancakes immediately, topped with a generous dollop of the savory herring spread.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the herring is very finely chopped for a smooth spread.
- ✓Adjust the amount of lemon juice and pepper to your taste.
- ✓Buckwheat flour can be substituted with a gluten-free blend if needed, though the texture will vary.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the herring spread for a little heat.
- Serve with a side of pickled cucumbers or beetroot salad.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the herring and create a dill and sour cream spread with capers.