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These sweet piroshky, or “piroshki”, are deep-fried and filled with a luscious poppy seed filling. A true Russian classic!

Sweet piroshky cut open on a plate

These Russian sweet piroshky (also commonly spelled “piroshki”) transport me right back to childhood. In primary school, a friend of mine brought them to class for breakfast and let me have a bite. I was immediately infatuated with the crunchy poppy seed filling! I begged my mom to call her mom for the recipe and the rest is history.

To make this recipe, you’re going to have to whip up a batch of poppy seed filling to stuff the piroshky with. If you’ve never tried sweet poppy seed filling before, it’s to die for. Commonly used in Slavic baking, it’s crunchy, creamy, and the perfect complement to the crispy, deep-fried dough.

Ingredients for sweet piroshky

What are Piroshky?

Piroshky, or “piroshki”, are popular Slavic dumplings that can be either baked or fried and stuffed with an assortment of sweet and savory fillings. In Russia and Ukraine, they are practically a way of life. You’ll find them served everywhere from fancy restaurants, street stalls, and gas stations. Below, find an overview of the flavor, texture, and cooking time for this sweet, Russian-style piroshky.

  • Flavor: Lightly sweet, sour cream-infused dough is contrasted with the sweet nuttiness of the poppy seed filling.
  • Texture: The texture consists of pillow-soft fried dough stuffed with crunchy and creamy poppy seed filling.
  • Time: From prep to table, this recipe takes about 4 hours to make.
Cut sweet piroshky with poppy seeds

How to Make Russian Sweet Piroshky

Making these sweet piroshky only requires a handful of ingredients. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself having fun stuffing and frying them! Below, find a quick hitter overview of the recipe before you dive in.

  • Activate the Yeast: Whisk together warm milk, yeast, and sugar and set aside for 10 minutes.
  • Make the Wet Ingredients: Mix eggs with milk sugar, salt, oil, vanilla, and sour cream. Next, mix in the yeast mixture and one cup of flour. Cover with a towel and set aside in a warm place for about an hour.
  • Finish the Dough: In thirds, mix in the remaining flour. Knead the dough until it turns elastic. Set aside to rise for an hour at room temperature.
  • Roll and Stuff the Dough: With oiled hands, roll even-sized dough balls about the size of the palm of your hand. Then, flatten each dough ball with your fingers and fill it with poppy seed filling. Fold over the sides and pinch the edges to seal the filling inside.
  • Deep Fry the Piroshky: Over medium/low heat, fill a deep skillet with canola oil. Drop the dough balls into the oil in batches. Fry until golden brown, flipping them every now and again with a fork. Once finished frying, place piroshky on a plate lined with paper towels. Serve and enjoy!

Stand Mixer Hack: You can always make the dough by hand, but a stand mixer will make the process go so much faster.

Liquids, flour and yeast mixture in a mixing bowl
Flour added to a mixing bowl
Dough in a mixing bowl
Rised dough in a mixing bowl
Poppyseed filling on a piece of dough
a bowl of poppy seed piroshky

Tips for Making the Best Russian Sweet Piroshky

Below, find a collection of tips and tricks to help you make the best Russian sweet piroshky on the planet.

  • Oil your hands to make it easier to work with the dough. Lightly oil your hands as you shape and fill the piroshky to prevent it from sticking. However, be mindful not to go too crazy with the oil, as it might make the dough too slick to seal.
  • Roll the piroshky into similar-sized balls for even-cooking. A good general rule of thumb for measurement is about the size of the palm of your hand.
  • Swap out poppyseed filling for any other sweet filling. If you’re not a poppy seed fan, substitute the filling for jam, Nutella, or sweetened farmer’s cheese.
A plate with piroshky, one is cut open

Storing Piroshky

  • Refrigerator: Store leftover piroshky in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep fresh for up to a week.
  • Freezer: Freeze leftover piroshki by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, pop the entire baking sheet into the freezer. Once completely frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic bag. Keep on hand for up to 3 months.

Reheating Tip: Reheat frozen piroshky in the oven or microwave until warmed through, or pop them in an air fryer for a couple of minutes until crispy.

FAQ

What’s the difference between pierogi and piroshky?

The difference between pierogi and piroshky lies within the dough. Pierogi tend to come boiled with a gummier dough, while piroshky come baked or deep-fried. Both can be filled with an assortment of sweet and savory fillings.

What does piroshky translate to in English?

In English, piroshky means a “small pie”.

What ethnicity is piroshky?

Piroshky originated from Russia. However, they are also eaten in their many different forms all throughout Eastern Europe.

Can I freeze piroshky?

Yes, you can freeze piroshky. To do so, place piroshky on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, pop the entire baking sheet into the freezer. Once completely frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic bag. Keep on hand for up to 3 months.

Other Piroshki Recipes to Try

Recipe

a bowl of poppy seed piroshky

Russian Sweet Piroshky (with Poppy Seeds)

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Servings
50 Piroshky
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
These sweet piroshky, or "piroshki", are deep-fried and filled with a luscious poppy seed filling. A true Russian classic!

Ingredients

Filling

US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine yeast with half a cup of warm milk and one tablespoon of sugar. Let the ingredients rest on the counter for 10 minutes.
    frothed yeast in a bowl
  • By hand or using a stand mixer, combine eggs with milk, salt, sugar, oil, vanilla, and sour cream.
    liquids and eggs in a mixing bowl
  • Add yeast mixture and one cup of flour into the egg mixture. Whisk to combine and cover with a towel. Set aside to rest in a warm place for an hour.
    Liquids, flour and yeast mixture in a mixing bowl
  • Using your hands or a stand mixer, mix in the remaining flour in by thirds.
    Kneaded dough in a mixing bowl
  • Knead the dough until it turns elastic (at least 10 minutes).
    Dough in a mixing bowl
  • Let dough rise for an hour.
    Rised dough in a mixing bowl
  • With lightly oiled hands, making small balls out of the dough, flatten out a dough ball with your fingers and place a dollop of poppy seed filling inside.
    Poppyseed filling on a piece of dough
  • Fold over the sides and pinch the edges together to seal the dough.
    Pinched dough into a ball
  • Fill a deep skillet with 2-3 cups of canola or vegetable oil and set to medium/low heat. Flipping periodically with a fork, fry the piroshky until they turn golden brown all over.
    Russian Sweet Piroshky frying in oil in a pot
  • Lay piroshky on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess oil. Serve warm and enjoy!
    cooked piroshky in a bowl
Nutrition Facts
Russian Sweet Piroshky (with Poppy Seeds)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 106 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 14mg5%
Sodium 23mg1%
Potassium 64mg2%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 38IU1%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 73mg7%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted September 23, 2021

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.