Scallion Pancakes (The BEST Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

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Healthy and the best scallion pancakes made of flour, green onion scallions and salt. This easy Chinese scallion pancake recipe is authentic and fail-proof!

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Scallion Pancakes (The BEST Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2)

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Scallion Pancakes

Chinese scallion pancakes are healthy, vegan, crispy and delicious!

These pancakes are a type of savory flatbread made from dough, as opposed to western pancakes with a batter.

They are called cong you bing or 蔥油餅. You can find this delicacy as a popular street food in China and Taiwan.

They are commonly served as a breakfast, with soy milk, mantou, tea leaf eggs or soy sauce eggs.

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Scallion Pancakes Recipe

This scallion pancakes recipe is from my best-selling cookbook “Easy Chinese Recipes” published in 2011.

Here are the recipe ingredients:

  • All-purpose flour.
  • Scallion. Scallion is sometimes called green onion.
  • Salt.
  • Oil.

How to Make Scallion Pancakes?

There are two basic methods of making scallion pancakes.

The first method is to make the plain dough, roll it out and then add the scallion and salt on the dough.

The second method is to combine the dough, scallion and salt together before rolling it out into pancakes.

My Chinese chef friend told me that both methods are authentic but the second method is a “shortcut” and great for beginners.

I like the second method as it’s easy and fail-proof.

Mixing the scallion with the dough infuses the dough with earthy aroma and fragrance of the green onion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Vegan?

Yes, all the ingredients are vegan. This recipe is 100% vegan.

Can I Freeze Scallion Pancakes?

I don’t recommend freezing the dough but you can freeze the pancakes after you make them.

Place them in a plastic bag and keep in the freezer. To serve, just reheat the pancakes in a microwave or toaster oven.

How to Make the Dipping Sauce?

Traditionally, there is no dipping sauce to go with the pancakes.

They are savory and tasty without any sauce.

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What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?

This dish is best served as a breakfast or an appetizer. For a wholesome Chinese meal, I recommend the following recipes.

How Many Calories per Serving?

Each piece of scallion pancake is only 192 calories.

What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?

For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

Soy Milk

Tea Leaf Eggs

Sichuan (Szechuan) Cold Noodles

Sweet Potato Mantou

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Scallion Pancakes

Healthy and the bestscallion pancakesmade of flour, green onion scallions and salt. This easy Chinese scallion pancake recipe is authentic and fail-proof!

4.48 from 92 votes

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By Bee Yinn Low

Yield 8 pieces

Prep 30 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder (optional)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 - 4 stalks scallion or green onion (green parts only, trimmed and cut into small rounds, to yield about a tightly packed 1/3 cup or more)
  • 2 tablespoons oil (for brushing)
  • Extra all-purpose flour (for dusting and rolling)
  • Oil (for frying)

Instructions

  • Sift the all-purpose flour into a big bowl and then add the salt and chicken bouillon powder (if using) into the flour. Combine well and set aside.

  • Heat the water to a boil. Slowly add the water to the flour and knead the dough until it becomes soft, no longer sticky and the surface becomes smooth and shiny, about 15 minutes. If the dough is too dry, add 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of water to the dough. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.

  • Add the scallions into the dough and combine well.

Step-by-Step on How to Make Scallion Pancakes:

  • On a flat and floured surface, divide the dough into 8 small dough balls, as pictured.

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  • Working with one dough ball at a time, roll it to a thin disc using a rolling pin. Dust the rolling pin with some all-purpose flour as you go. Brush the surface of the pancake with the oil.

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  • Roll the dough into a cylinder.

    Scallion Pancakes (The BEST Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (11)

  • Coil it up like a snail.

    Scallion Pancakes (The BEST Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (12)

  • Dust the rolling pin with the flour and roll the snail-shape dough until flat, measuring about 6 inches (15cm) in diameter. Set the dough aside on a baking sheet. Repeat the steps above for the rest of the dough balls.

Step-by-Step on How to Fry Scallion Pancakes:

  • Add about 1/4 inch (6 mm) of oil into a stir-fry pan or skillet over moderately high heat. Transfer a piece of the pancake onto the pan or skillet.

  • Shallow fry each side of the pancake to a light golden brown, about 1 minute. Flip the pancake over and shallow fry the other side.

  • Add more oil, repeat the same for the remaining pancakes and serve immediately. They are best eaten with warm andhomemade soy milk.

Notes

If you don't use the chicken bouillon powder, then use a total 1 1/2 teaspoons salt for the dough instead of 1 teaspoon salt as stated in the recipe.

To jazz up the aroma of the pancake, you may add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the oil and brush onto the surface before rolling up into a cylinder.

You can also pan-fry the pancakes. Just grease your pan with a bit of oil and pan-fry both sides until they turn lightly brown with dark brown spots.

Course: Chinese Recipes

Cuisine: Breakfast

Keywords: scallion pancakes

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Scallion Pancakes

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 192Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Sodium 297mg13%

Carbohydrates 31g10%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 4g8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Scallion Pancakes (The BEST Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

Why are my scallion pancakes tough? ›

It's not okay: To use hot water because it'll make the dough tougher. To not rest the dough in Step 1 because it'll make the dough harder to roll. To skip the slamming in Step 5 because the pancake will be dense rather than fluffy.

What is a fun fact about scallion pancakes? ›

Here's a fun fact about the scallion pancake: according to legend, Marco Polo loved these pancakes. When he returned home to Italy, he had some chefs make a different type of pancake so he could have some more. But what he got was the ancestor of another dish we all know and love her in modern day America: pizza.

What is good on scallion pancakes? ›

In Taiwan, scallion pancakes are commonly rolled up with a fried egg, or braised beef shank, cilantro, and peanuts.

What culture are scallion pancakes from? ›

Scallion pancakes have long been part of the culture in China and Taiwan, where the flatbreads are commonly eaten as a street food snack.

How do you make pancakes less rubbery? ›

Over-mixing pancake batter develops the gluten that will make the pancakes rubbery and tough. For light, fluffy pancakes, you want to mix just until the batter comes together—it's okay if there are still some lumps of flour. Fat (melted butter) makes the pancakes rich and moist.

Why are my pancakes chewy and not fluffy? ›

Stir your batter until the dry and wet ingredients are just incorporated. That means mixing until the flour streaks have disappeared, but leaving the pesky lumps. If you over-mix, the gluten will develop from the flour in your batter, making your pancakes chewy instead of fluffy.

What are Chinese scallion pancakes made of? ›

To make the pancakes, all you need are four basic ingredients: flour, hot (boiling) water, scallions, and salt. READ MORE: The hot water makes the pancakes easier to flatten, especially during the first rollout.

What are scallion pancakes called in Chinese? ›

Cong you bing (cōngyóubǐng) (Chinese: 蔥油餅; pinyin: cōngyóubǐng; Wade–Giles: Ts'ung1-yu2-ping3; lit. 'scallion oil pancake'; Mandarin pronunciation [tsʰʊ́ŋjǒʊpìŋ]), also known as scallion pancake or "green onion pancake", is a Chinese savory, unleavened flatbread folded with oil and minced scallions (green onions).

Who invented scallion pancakes? ›

Cong You Bing's origin dates back so long ago that many Chinese historians cannot fully agree on where it was created. Many believe Cong You Bing originated in Shanghai, where many Indians had once lived. This makes sense due to the scallion pancake's similarity to Indian naan bread.

What to put on Trader Joe's scallion pancakes? ›

Heat your scallion pancake on both sides. and then add some eggs to the pan. Let those cook, flip it, add some cheese, and add your scallion pancake back. Add some mashed avocado, some salt and chili onion crunch for the final finish.

How to eat scallion pancakes for breakfast? ›

Immediately place a slice of Raclette cheese and 3 slices of bacon on the egg. Working quickly, lay the scallion pancake over the eggs, bacon, and cheese, and season with 1/2 teaspoon each of the salt and MSG, then flip the whole thing over.

Are scallion pancakes greasy? ›

The good ones taste like scallions and hot oil and sesame seeds. Bad ones taste greasy and don't have nearly enough scallions in them. There's an art to a good scallion pancake.

What are other names for scallion pancakes? ›

A scallion pancake, also known as a green onion pancake or spring onion pancake is a kind of pancake made with scallions. It is usually chewy, flaky, and savory. Examples include: Cōng yóu bǐng, a Chinese pancake made with scallions.

How do you eat Chinese green onion pancakes? ›

What are some common accompaniments for green onion pancakes? Green onion pancakes are often served with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Some people also enjoy them with a spicy chili oil or a savory hoisin sauce.

Where were scallion pancakes invented? ›

There are legends and folk tales surrounding 葱油饼 and how the food came into being. The most widely accepted theory about the dish's origin is that it originated in Shanghai, a city which has traditionally had a large foreign population, many of South Asian descent and a lot of cultural exchange as a trading port.

Why do my pancakes come out rubbery? ›

A rubbery pancake can be caused by over-mixing the batter, using too much flour, or cooking it at too high of a temperature. Here are a few tips to make a pancake less rubbery: Don't overmix the batter: Over-mixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a rubbery texture.

How do you fix tough pancakes? ›

Rubbery Pancakes

Unfortunately, this is one of the few things that can't be fixed. However, you can salvage the batter by adding ¼ cup of additional liquid (usually milk) and turning your pancakes into waffles.

Why are my pancakes so chewy? ›

Another common cause for chewy and dense pancakes happens in the pan. It's important that you only flip your pancakes once and do so as gently as possible. You want to do everything in your power to avoid knocking out the air bubbles, and while they're cooking is a crucial time for their development… So be gentle.

Why are my pancakes dense and chewy? ›

The cooking temperature of your pan or griddle may be too low, which can cause the pancakes to cook too slowly and become dense. Make sure your pan or griddle is heated to the proper temperature before cooking the pancakes. Overmixing the batter can also lead to dense, heavy pancakes.

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