Pyrizhky
Soft, golden yeast buns filled with mashed potato, fried onion and cheese, brushed with egg and baked. A Ukrainian bakery favourite, and just as good with cabbage or mushroom.
How to Make Pyrizhky
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Mix the flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a large bowl, then add the milk, egg and melted butter and stir to a soft dough.
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Knead on a lightly floured surface for 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Put it in an oiled bowl, cover, and leave to rise for 1 hour, until doubled.
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Meanwhile, boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes, until tender, then drain and mash until smooth.
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Heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the onion for 10 minutes, until golden. Mix it into the potato with the cheese, dill, salt and pepper and let the filling cool.
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Heat the oven to 190°C / 375°F and line two baking trays with baking paper.
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Divide the dough into 12 pieces, flatten each into a round about 10 cm across, and put 2 tbsp of filling in the centre.
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Pull the edges up over the filling and pinch them together firmly to seal, and set the buns seam side down on the trays. Cover and prove for 30 minutes.
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Brush with the egg glaze and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until deep golden brown.
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Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes and serve warm.
Tips for Making Pyrizhky
- Cool the filling before it goes in. A hot filling steams and softens the dough, and it tears the seams in the oven.
- Seal the buns firmly. Pinch the edges together twice, and set them seam side down so they do not open.
- Cook the onion until it is properly golden. It is the source of sweetness in the filling, and raw or pale onion tastes sharp.
What to Serve with Pyrizhky
- Borscht
- Sour cream
- Pickled cucumbers
Storing & Reheating Pyrizhky
Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat in a 160°C oven for 8 minutes. Freeze baked buns for up to 3 months.
Pyrizhky FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Pyrizhky take to make?
About 1 hour 2 minutes of hands-on work — 40 minutes of preparation and 22 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour 30 minutes of Rising and proving, so allow 2 hours 32 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 12.
What are the key tips for making Pyrizhky?
Cool the filling before it goes in. A hot filling steams and softens the dough, and it tears the seams in the oven. Seal the buns firmly. Pinch the edges together twice, and set them seam side down so they do not open. Cook the onion until it is properly golden. It is the source of sweetness in the filling, and raw or pale onion tastes sharp.
What should I serve with Pyrizhky?
Borscht; Sour cream; Pickled cucumbers.
Can Pyrizhky be made ahead or frozen?
Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat in a 160°C oven for 8 minutes. Freeze baked buns for up to 3 months.
Is Pyrizhky suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Pyrizhky?
About 315 kcal per serving, with 9 g protein, 45 g carbohydrate and 11 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Pyrizhky Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.