Hungarian poppy seed pancakes, known as mákos palacsinta, are a traditional homemade dessert made with thin, delicate crepes and a simple sweet poppy seed filling.
Unlike American pancakes, Hungarian palacsinta are thin and flexible, similar to French crepes. The filling couldn’t be easier: finely ground poppy seeds mixed with sugar, with no cooking required.
Hungarian Poppy Seed Pancakes
Print RecipeIngredients
- For the pancakes (10–12 crepes):
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 300 ml milk
- 200 ml sparkling water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra for frying
- For the poppy seed filling:
- 150 g finely ground poppy seeds
- 100 g granulated sugar, or to taste (adjust the amount depending on how sweet you prefer the filling)
- For serving (optional):
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pancake Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, salt, and milk. Gradually add the flour, whisking until smooth.
Pour in the sparkling water and vegetable oil, mixing until the batter is thin and pourable.
Let the batter rest for 20–30 minutes.
2. Cook the Crepes
Heat a lightly oiled nonstick frying pan over medium heat.
Pour a small ladle of batter into the pan, tilting it to spread the batter evenly.
Cook for 1–2 minutes, then flip and cook the other side for another 20–30 seconds.
Repeat with the remaining batter.
3. Prepare the Poppy Seed Filling
In a bowl, combine the finely ground poppy seeds and granulated sugar.
Mix thoroughly until evenly combined. Adjust the amount of sugar to suit your taste — some prefer a lightly sweetened filling, while others enjoy a sweeter, more traditional version.
There is no need to cook the filling or add milk. The traditional Hungarian version uses a simple mixture of ground poppy seeds and sugar.
4. Fill the Pancakes
While the crepes are still warm, sprinkle approximately 1–2 tablespoons of the sweet poppy seed mixture over each pancake.
Roll them up and arrange on a serving plate.
The warmth and moisture of the freshly cooked crepes help soften the filling slightly.
5. Serve
Serve the Hungarian poppy seed pancakes warm, optionally dusted with a little powdered sugar.
Enjoy!
