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    Home » BREAKFAST + BRUNCH

    Savory Finnish Baked Pancakes (Pannukakku) with Smoked Salmon

    Modified: May 22, 2024 by Susan Pridmore · This post may contain affiliate links · 30 Comments

    Savory Finnish baked pancakes with dill, topped with smoked salmon. Perfect brunch dish!

    The Finnish words lettu and pannukakku  both translate as *pancake*, but have different meanings. Pannukakku is the type of pancake baked in an oven, my favorite way to make pancakes. Lettu, the kind we're all more familiar with, is the stovetop kind made in a frying pan or griddle. I think of them as the high-maintenance, demanding kind. You have to be with them every step of the way to make sure you flip them at exactly the right moment. They're the kind where the second batch never ever looks like the first batch.

    Savory Finnish baked pancakes with dill, topped with smoked salmon. Perfect brunch dish!

    Baked pancakes are by far my favorite. You mix up the batter, slide an oven-proof skillet into a hot oven to melt a knob of butter, and then pour the batter in before sliding it back into the oven. That's it. It can bake away while you clean up the kitchen, do a crossword puzzle, or walk the dog. And it flips out of the pan as easy as, well, a pancake. In fact, you can pull it out all in one piece by loosening it around the edges with a sharp knife, and then pulling it up with your fingers.

    This Finnish pancake reminds me of a cross between a quiche and a pancake. It's softer, like a quiche, but it tastes like a pancake. Finnish pancakes are usually sweet, smeared with preserves, and often rolled up. I'm trying to reduce the sugar in my diet, so I took a savory path, but tried to be true to its Finnish roots by adding a little sour cream and dill to the batter, and topping it with smoked salmon.

    Savory Finnish baked pancakes with dill, topped with smoked salmon. Perfect brunch dish!

    It was breakfast this morning for us, but this would be a terrific for a brunch, lunch or dinner with a salad too. Just make sure you make it. It's super easy, can be ready in about 30 minutes, and is absolutely delicious.

    If you try it, take a photo and post it on Instagram!! Be sure to use #wimpyvegetarian and  tag me  - I'd love to see how it turns for you too!!

    Cook's Tips

    If you don't have self-rising flour, use general all-purpose flour.

    High Altitude Tips

    This recipe calls for ½ cup self-rising flour at sea level, and I recommend removing 1 ½ teaspoons of that amount for baking at 6500 feet.

    The baking time at high altitude will be closer to the suggested 25 minutes.

    5 from 40 votes

    Savory Finnish Baked Pancakes (Pannukakku) with Smoked Salmon

    Savory Finnish baked pancakes (Pannukakku) with dill and sour cream, topped with smoked salmon.
    Print Recipe Save Saved! Pin Recipe Add to Recipe Collection Go to Collections Add to Shopping ListGo to Shopping List
    Course: Breakfast, Brunch
    Cuisine: Finland
    Keyword: Finnish baked pancakes (Pannukakku)
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 391kcal
    Author: Susan Pridmore
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    Ingredients

    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 ⅓ cups 2% milk
    • ½ cup self-rising flour take out 1 ½ teaspoon of the flour for baking at 6500' altitude
    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 tablespoon light sour cream
    • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill
    • 7 twists of freshly ground black pepper
    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • ½ cup smoked salmon or more, according to preferences

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400˚ F.
    • Combine the eggs, milk, flour, salt, sour cream, dill, and pepper together in a medium bowl. Whisk thoroughly.
    • Place the butter in an oven-proof skillet that measures 8 ½ inches across its bottom, and slide it into the preheated oven. When the butter is melted, and just beginning to bubble (about 5 minutes), remove the skillet, and carefully pour the batter over the butter. Return the skillet to the oven. Bake until cooked all the way through, and the top is lightly browned, about 20 - 25 minutes.
    • Using a sharp knife, separate the edge of the pancake from the sides of the pan. Raise the pancake using a spatula or your fingers, and place on a plate. Slice into pieces, and top with the smoked salmon.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    This is a super easy recipe, can be ready in about 30 minutes, and is absolutely delicious. Serve as a weekend breakfast or a light dinner with a salad. Perfect brunch dish for weekend guests!
    Calories were calculated using the VeryWell Fit nutrition calculator for 2 servings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 13.9g | Protein: 18.5g | Fat: 28.3g | Saturated Fat: 15.6g | Fiber: 1.8g | Sugar: 18.7g

    Want more BRUNCH ideas?? Go check out my Wimpy Vegetarian Breakfast & Brunch board on Pinterest!! 

    « Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Cider & Crème Fraîche
    Easy Buttermilk Cornbread »

    About Susan Pridmore

    Susan Pridmore is an award-winning cookbook author and the owner of The Wimpy Vegetarian. She has been featured in Huffington Post, Healthline, BuzzFeed, and has written for and developed recipes for The Food Network and Parade Magazine. She is professionally trained and focuses on easy vegetarian recipes for busy lives, bread-baking, and tips for new vegetarians. Susan lives in the mountains in Lake Tahoe with her husband and mini-labradoodle.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen

      February 14, 2017 at 12:21 pm

      5 stars
      That looks delicious. I love taking the savory route, and smoked salmon on this sounds fantastic!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 14, 2017 at 8:55 pm

        5 stars
        Thanks so much Karen! They were incredibly good, I have to admit. And soooo easy.

        Reply
    2. Pam @ The Bread She Bakes

      February 14, 2017 at 2:06 pm

      5 stars
      Looks fabulous and just like the type of pancake I'm after! Great option for weekend brunching!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 14, 2017 at 8:55 pm

        5 stars
        You're so right! Perfect for brunch!!!

        Reply
    3. Julie

      February 14, 2017 at 3:14 pm

      5 stars
      This was my first attempt at a baked pancake and am sold! My husband would adore your salmon version. I'm dining with you and the vegetarian version! It is definitely a beautiful dish.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 14, 2017 at 8:56 pm

        5 stars
        Thanks so much Julie! This was my first attempt at it, and I just loved the result. I'm making it again this weekend 🙂

        Reply
    4. Ansh

      February 14, 2017 at 8:53 pm

      5 stars
      That is one delicious looking pancake!! And with salmon - I am sold !

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 14, 2017 at 8:57 pm

        5 stars
        It was amazing, Ansh. I've never really had a pancake quite like this before, and now I'm hooked!

        Reply
    5. Wendy Klik

      February 15, 2017 at 5:52 am

      5 stars
      Oh my....I just love this recipe. The possibilities with this base are endless. I think the smoked salmon edition is marvelous.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 16, 2017 at 10:09 pm

        5 stars
        Thanks so much Wendy!! It was a huge hit here, and now these Finnish pancakes will be part of my regular rotation!

        Reply
    6. Mayuri Patel

      February 15, 2017 at 6:12 am

      5 stars
      Never baked pancakes before as you may know there are many Indian pancakes but none are baked. I'm going to try this one as a brunch option but with some veggie topping. Great recipe Susan.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 16, 2017 at 10:11 pm

        5 stars
        Thanks so much Mayuri! I loved the topic this month, and had a lot of fun trying something new. Thanks so much for hosting us this month!

        Reply
    7. Pavani

      February 15, 2017 at 6:21 am

      5 stars
      That is one delicious looking breakfast/ brunch. Looks soooo delicious.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 16, 2017 at 10:11 pm

        5 stars
        It was such a fun topic this month! Thanks so much!

        Reply
    8. Holly

      February 15, 2017 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      Yes, I agree, this looks ideal for ANY meal of the day. I like the idea of baking a pancake in the oven but have yet to try it. Will do so soon!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 16, 2017 at 10:12 pm

        5 stars
        If you try it, let me know!!! I'd love to hear how it goes for you!

        Reply
    9. Smruti@HerbivoreCucina

      February 15, 2017 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      The dish is totally indulgent. I tried a baked version this month but it was a sweet version. I would LOVE to try a savory version!!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 16, 2017 at 10:12 pm

        5 stars
        And now I want to try a sweet version 🙂 Thanks so much!

        Reply
    10. Cindy L. Kerschner

      February 15, 2017 at 4:30 pm

      Great choice to make a savory brunch!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 16, 2017 at 10:13 pm

        We were on the same page this month with these Finnish pancakes. I love that you took the sweet route - I want to do that next time!

        Reply
    11. SallyBR

      February 16, 2017 at 8:06 am

      Absolutely in love with this recipe!

      I much prefer a savory type of pancake and this one looks amazing!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 16, 2017 at 10:14 pm

        Thanks so much Sally!!! I'm planning on making it again for dinner tomorrow night. I love sweets, but savory pancakes are a special love of mine :-).

        Reply
    12. Megan @ MegUnprocessed

      February 16, 2017 at 2:16 pm

      Looks wonderfully flavorful!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        February 16, 2017 at 10:15 pm

        Thanks so much Megan!! They were so so good. And so easy!!

        Reply
    13. fabiola@notjustbaked

      February 17, 2017 at 11:53 am

      This is my kind of cooking. Salmon and cast iron, yes please!

      Reply
    14. Shilpi

      February 20, 2017 at 12:57 pm

      This looks delicious.

      Reply
    15. mjskitchen

      January 15, 2021 at 7:38 pm

      5 stars
      This is different. I love it! And that finishing touch of salmon is just perfect.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        January 17, 2021 at 1:10 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you so much!! I got exposed to baked pancakes in culinary school, and never looked back!

        Reply
    16. mjskitchen

      March 22, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      5 stars
      Well YUM! Smoked salmon is one of those pantry foods that we always have and am always looking for ways to use it. I love this dish and I know my husband would love it as well. Thanks Susan!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        March 22, 2022 at 3:03 pm

        5 stars
        Me too! I love smoked salmon! I hope you give it a try and like it too 🙂

        Reply
    5 from 40 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Susan Pridmore

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