blintz: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “blintz” mean?
A thin pancake rolled around a filling (usually sweetened cheese, fruit, or potato), then fried or baked.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thin pancake rolled around a filling (usually sweetened cheese, fruit, or potato), then fried or baked.
In Jewish cuisine, a traditional dish often served during holidays like Shavuot. Can refer more broadly to any filled, rolled pancake dish inspired by the original.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used almost exclusively within contexts of Jewish cuisine or specialist food writing in both regions. It is not a mainstream culinary term in general British English.
Connotations
Ethnic/specialist food item. In the US, it may be more widely recognized due to larger Ashkenazi Jewish population and deli culture.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general corpora. Higher frequency in US texts related to food or culture.
Grammar
How to Use “blintz” in a Sentence
[Verb] a blintz (eat, make, fry, order)[Adjective] blintz (cheese, sweet, fruit-filled)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blintz” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We're going to blintz these pancakes with a ricotta filling.
- She expertly blintzed the fragile crepe without tearing it.
American English
- He blintzed the leftovers into a quick breakfast.
- The chef demonstrates how to properly blintz the crepe on the show.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in restaurant menus or food import/export contexts.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in cultural, anthropological, or food history studies.
Everyday
Used when discussing specific foods, especially in families with Jewish heritage or in areas with Jewish delis.
Technical
Culinary term for a specific preparation method of a thin batter pancake.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blintz”
- Spelling: 'blintze' is an accepted variant, but 'blintz' is more common in English. Confusing it with 'blini'. Using it as a general term for any pancake.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A crepe is a thin French pancake that can be served flat or folded with fillings. A blintz specifically refers to a thin pancake (similar to a crepe) that is filled, rolled, and then typically fried or baked, originating from Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine.
Yes. While sweet cheese or fruit fillings are classic, savoury versions with fillings like mashed potato, fried onion, or spinach are also traditional.
It is pronounced /blɪnts/, rhyming with 'hints' or 'glints'.
A blini is a small, thick, yeasted Russian pancake, often served with caviar or sour cream. A blintz is a larger, thin, unleavened pancake that is filled and rolled. The words share a common Slavic root but denote different dishes.
A thin pancake rolled around a filling (usually sweetened cheese, fruit, or potato), then fried or baked.
Blintz is usually informal, culinary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BLINTZ = BLend of INside and ouTSide – a soft inside (filling) wrapped in a thin outside (pancake).
Conceptual Metaphor
A blintz is a wrapped gift of flavour / A culinary envelope.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most traditional filling for a blintz?