Classic! Tiganites (Ancient Greek Pancakes)

Tiganites (Ancient Greek-style Pancakes with Honey and Nuts)! Some people say that ‘Tiganites’ was the first documented pancake in the world. Interestingly, they are still a popular breakfast food in Greece. You can serve them either savory or sweet as a snack, for breakfast, or as a brunch dish.

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in Pancakes & Buddies

Pancakes are one of the oldest, simplest, ubiquitous, and remarkably versatile foods. Interestingly, “Pancakes” mean different things to different people in the world, so every culture has its own pancake that they are proud of.

This humble food tells us the story of how our ancestors invented food from the ingredients available in the environment they lived. “Around the World in Pancakes & Buddies” is one of the fantastic food journeys I am bound on. Would you like to join me?

What are Tiganites?

Some people say that ‘Tiganites’ (tee-gah-NEE-tes), also called ‘Teganites’, were the first documented pancake in the world. Interestingly, they are still a popular breakfast food in Greece.

Basically, they’re unleavened pancakes or a sort of fried dough. The old-style ones were made with two ingredients; flour and enough water to make a thick but runny mixture that could be fried in oil. However, modern recipes tend to vary by region. Some use salt, honey, oil, or yeast in the batter and some go even further and add milk, egg, and sugar.

Traditional Tiganites are served drizzled with honey and topped with toasted/crushed walnuts or with cheese.

Another Classic Pancake Recipe
to Add to Your Repertoire!

Tiganites are one of the easiest, and simplest pancakes that you can make.

To be honest, at first, I had some doubts – how could this possibly be a pancake? so, I didn’t expect them to taste good. However, contrary to my expectation, when you drizzle ‘Tiganites’ generously with honey and sprinkle with toasted sesame and crushed nuts, they’re unbelievably delicious.

Here you will find an easy-to-follow recipe with step-by-step pictures, helpful info plus tips that will help you make them in an easy way at home. Do try them out and let me know how it went in the comment section below!

How to Make ‘Tiganites’ Batter?

You just need a few ingredients; flour, water, salt, honey, and oil. Using yeast is optional but it does make a difference in the taste and texture of pancakes.

If you use yeast in your batter, make sure to let it rest in a warm place for about 30 minutes until frothy.

If you don’t use yeast in your batter, after mixing the ingredients (flour, salt, honey, and water) let it sit for about 20 minutes.

Tiganites (Greek Pancakes)
Ingredients

• Flour: Using all-purpose flour (plain flour) is preferable.
• Salt: A pinch of salt adds a nice flavor.
• Honey: Adding honey to the batter will help to create a nicer crust and taste.
• Yeast: Use either instant or active dry yeast (more details below).  
• Sugar: If you use active dry yeast, you’ll need a pinch of sugar to activate the yeast.
• Water: Use lukewarm water
• Oil: Olive oil is preferable (or use coconut or rice oil instead)

Tiganites (Greek Pancakes)
Serving Suggestions

You can serve them as a snack, or for breakfast. They are best eaten while still hot, straight from the frying pan.

For a sweet treat, serve them with plenty of honey and crushed toasted nuts/sesame or honey and cinnamon for a sweet treat. You can also use maple syrup or any sweet syrup instead of honey. Even with some brown sugar and butter would be nice.

For a savory breakfast, serve them topped with cheese, yogurt, or savory toppings of your choice.

Helpful Tips

• Do not add all the water at once. Add water, a little at a time, and whisk.
• The pancake batter should be pourable. Check the consistency of your batter, and adjust the batter as needed. If it is too runny, add more flour. If it is too thick, add more water.
• Traditionally, olive oil is used for making the batter and fry them. Olive oil is considered as a healthy oil. You can also use other healthy types of oil like coconut or rice oil.
• These pancakes are typically fried in a generous amount of oil until the edges are crispy. However, you can also make them just lightly greasing the pan with oil if you don’t want to use a lot of oil.
• If you will not be frying up all your Tiganites at once. you can keep the batter for about 2 days in the refrigerator. Simply bring the dough to room temperature for approximately 15 minutes before frying them.
• Toast the sesame seeds and nuts separately in a dry pan for a few minutes to bring out the flavor.

How to Use Yeast?

There are mainly two types of dried yeast available in the market, instant yeast and active dry yeast. The two yeasts can be used interchangeably in recipes.

Instant Yeast

If you use instant yeast, you can just mix it in with flour without activating it. However, make sure to use fresh yeast. If you’re not sure about the freshness, just activate it before you use it.

Active Dry Yeast

You need to activate your active dry yeast dissolving it in warm water/milk before using.

Activate your yeast if you use active dry yeast

• In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon sugar and 50ml warm milk.
• Add the yeast and stir lightly.
• Cover with a towel and leave in a warm place until it begins to froth for about 10 minutes.

Tips

• If your yeast is stored in the refrigerator or freezer, make sure to allow the yeast to come to room temperature before using.
• Use warm water, hot water kills the yeast while cold water will not activate the yeast.
• Make sure to decrease the amount of liquid you used to dissolve the yeast and then adjust the total amount of liquid.

More Yeasted-Batter Pancakes

Tiganites (Ancient Greek Pancakes)
Step-by-Step Recipe

Check out the printable recipe at the end of the post

Prep time 10 mins
Resting Time 30 minutes
Cook time 10 mins
Yield about 6 to 10 pancakes

Ingredients

For Pancakes
120g all-purpose flour or plain flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp instant yeast (see the notes)
1 tablespoon honey (or sugar)
1 tablespoon olive oil (or your choice of oil)
100ml lukewarm water
Olive oil, for frying (or your choice of oil)

For Serving
Honey, Maple syrup
Nuts of your choice, toasted/crushed
Sesame seeds, toasted

Notes: You can make the batter with or without yeast. if you use instant yeast, just mix it with dry ingredients. If you use active dry yeast, you need to activate the yeast first.

Instructions

Preparation

If you use active dry yeast– In a small bowl, mix together about 50ml of warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in yeast and then cover and let stand for about 10 minutes until frothy in a warm place. You should see some bubbling at the surface; if you do not, your yeast may not be active and your dough may not rise.

Make the Batter

These are the ingredients you will need.

Place the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and mix. Add yeast (if you use instant yeast) and mix again.

Add the half of the water, honey, and olive oil. Whisk until you have a smooth paste. Add the rest of the water, a little at a time, and whisk until you have a smooth batter. The batter should be pourable.

Cover and leave aside for about 30 minutes, in a warm place until the batter starts to bubble.

Cook the Pancakes

After your dough has rested, heat a large frying pan or electric griddle over medium-high. Add about a tablespoon of olive oil and spread over the surface. Drop large tablespoons of dough into the hot oil to make small pancakes. Repeat to add as many pancakes as you can in the pan without it being over-crowded.

Fry for 1-2 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook the other side until golden and crispy. Once the pancake is fried on both sides, remove it from the pan and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb the oil. Repeat with the rest of your batter.

Serve and Enjoy!

Serve warm drizzling with honey and sprinkling with toasted/crushed nuts and sesame. You can also serve them with yogurt or cheese.

Tiganites (Ancient Greek Pancakes)
Printable Recipe

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