Last Updated on January 12, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Scallion Pancakes – A classic Chinese flatbread full of flaky layers make a great holiday appetizer.
Well, it looks like I am continuing my flatbread theme from last week. Although called pancakes, these are really more of a flatbread. Scallion Pancakes are a standard at most Chinese restaurants and here you will find the step by step instructions so you can make this easy finger food at home yourself. This is a great option to present at your upcoming holiday party.
I am not big on onions. While I use onions in most of my cooking, I use it more as a seasoning than a vegetable. You will never see me eating onion rings or anything with the main ingredient being onions, although lately I have gained an appreciation for caramelized onions. Usually when I use onions, they are chopped finely so they generally disappear into the sauce or gravy of what I am making. With me, my dislike is more about texture than taste, so this suits me perfectly. This goes for most types of onions be it plain yellow onions, red onions, shallots or pearl onions. The one exception is scallions and no food better represents the spring flavor of this genre of onions than Scallion Pancakes.
I will always remember the first time I had these while at an upscale Chinese restaurant with a friend and her parents when I was in college. Scallion pancakes are not generally something you will find at fast food Chinese restaurants, but any more formal Chinese restaurant and it is a required menu item. Crispy flaky layered dough simply flavored with scallions and salt dipped into an infused soy sauce and I was hooked. I guarantee even if you are not an onion lover like me, this is one way where you will fall in love with at least, spring onions.
IN THE MAKING – HOW TO MAKE SCALLION PANCAKES
Serve with sauce.
Flaky layers make a great snack. Why not make these for a change the next time its Family Movie Night at home, instead of boring old popcorn?
Scallion Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup canola oil any neutral oil can be used - corn/vegetable/safflower/sunflower/rice bran
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup thinly sliced scallions
- Dipping Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 cup sliced scallions
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
Instructions
- First make the sauce to give the flavors time to infuse while you make the pancakes.
- Combine soy sauce, vinegar, pepper and sugar in a bowl. Whisk to combine. Add scallions and ginger. Stir to combine. Set aside until ready to use.
- In a large bowl with the flour, add 1 cup of warm water. Knead to make a stiff dough. Cover with a damp towel and leave to rest for 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine the canola and sesame oil and mix to combine.
- Divide the dough into four equal portions and roll into balls.
- On a well floured surface, roll out one of the balls into a rectangle as thin as possible, approximately 9x12"..
- Brush the top with oil. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 cup of the scallions.Starting at the long end, roll tightly. The dough will elongate as you roll to about 18". Cut into two pieces and roll into a coil. Repeat with the other 3 pieces of dough, cleaning the board with a paper towel before each dough you roll out to remove any oil.
- Flour the board well. Take one of the coils and roll into a 8" circle.
- Heat a skillet with just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Add rolled out dough the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides. Repeat until all the dough has been cooked.
- Serve with sauce.
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These pancakes look delicious and the method of preparation is very similar to how we make Cape Malay roti (no scallions used).
is that like roti canai?
I love the flavorful sauce! These look incredible.
thanks – yes the sauce definitely compliments them
It is surprising that you don’t like onions , I am a big fan of them . Scallions have their own flavor and they taste absolutely awesome in breads , i love their rustic flavor.
Cooked I find them too slimy and raw too biting…yeah I can be a picky eater 🙂
I love anything with green onion! So delish!
its definitely a crowd pleaser!
Oh! Those look so tasty. I’ve always wondered how to make, now I know.
yes – it involves a few steps but it’s all worth it for those flaky layers 🙂
These look just amazing! My favorite parts are the crispy bottoms hehe. Have to try this 😉
me too. I always like the char flavor of all foods – meat too – when some people think they are too brown!
Very tempting and delicious scallion pancakes,its in my to do list since long..
yes – you will love it when you do get around to trying it 😉
Looks delicious, especially the sauce.
Hi Annu – thanks for commenting. Yes the sauce absolutely compliments the lovely layered pancake.
Wow! These definitely look like heaven to my husband! He is a great fan of Chinese food.
make them and I promise you will love them as much as him 🙂
This is my all time favourite, everytime i make this pancakes, they are big hit among my kids.
I think they are a big hit with everyone – adult and kid alike!
Good one. I have made these before and love those pancakes though that dip didn’t please me.
My older one will love it to bits and the dipping sauce is definitely a winner at home.
Mir, your scallion pancakes look just like the ones from a Chinese restaurant — so crispy and yummy!!
thanks – they were so yummy =- perfect evening snack