Green Onion Pancakes
Green onion pancakes are a popular Chinese snack that have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are a delicious and savory treat that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Green onion pancakes are often served as an appetizer or as a side dish in Chinese restaurants, but they are also easy to make at home.
Green onion pancakes, also known as scallion pancakes, originated in China. They are believed to have been created during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Green onion pancakes were traditionally made with flour, water, and green onions, and were a popular street food snack. They were affordable and easy to make, making them a favorite among the working-class people. Today, green onion pancakes can be found all over China and have become popular in other parts of the world as well.
Scallion pancakes are a Traditional Chinese street food and are perfect for a Chinese breakfast but they really are a perfect appetizer or snack at any time of the day. These aromatic and crispy pancakes are available all around China, but making your own scallion pancake at home is easy so give it a try.
Scallion Pancakes are made with simple everyday ingredients you likely have at home already. Water, flour, oil, and chopped scallions or green onions are all that you need for a basic scallion pancake. There are variations you can also try if you like. I like to add sesame oil or chinese 5 spice powder to the actual pancake for flavor, but you don’t have to.
How to make Green Onion Pancakes:
Making green onion pancakes at home is easy and fun. Here’s a recipe to get you started (Amounts below will yield 2 pancakes):
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt divided
- 1/4 cup of boiling water
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 3 1/2 scallions (green part only) finely chopped
- 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp 5 spice powder (optional)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
Directions:
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt and boiling water, stir using chopsticks or a fork until the hot water is absorbed into the flour, then add the cold water and bring together into a ball, until a dough forms. Knead the dough for a minute to bring together and let rest, it doesn’t have to be smooth at this point.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- While the dough is resting, finely chop the scallions and place in a bowl then add the remaining 1 tsp salt and the 5 spice powder (if using).
- Once the dough has rested, knead until smooth (4 or 5 minutes) then divide the ball into 2 equal balls, cover and let rest a further 20-30 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one ball of the dough into a thin rectangle
- Brush the surface of the dough lightly with sesame oil and sprinkle the seasoned chopped green onions over it.
- Roll the dough into a log, stretch the log and then coil it up like a snail tucking the end into the coil, then roll out again into a thin, flat round pancake (use your hands if you need to). Return to cover and repeat with the other ball of dough.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of cooking oil to the skillet.
- Place the pancake in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy. Repeat
- Serve the pancakes hot, with soy sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Green onion pancakes are a delicious and easy-to-make snack that is packed with nutrients. They have a rich history in Chinese cuisine and have become a popular dish around the world. Making green onion pancakes at home is a fun way to experiment with new flavors and ingredients, and they are sure to impress your friends and family. Try making green onion pancakes today and enjoy the delicious flavors of this classic Chinese snack!
Green Onion Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 cup all purpose flour
- 2½ tsp kosher salt, divided
- ½ cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 7 green onions (scallions) finely chopped green parts only
- ½ tsp Chinese five spice powder Optional
- 2 tsp sesame oil Optional
- 6-8 tsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a bowl combine, 2 cup all purpose flour and ¼ tsp of the salt and pour the ½ cup boiling water over, mixing with chop sticks or a fork until the water has been absorbed by the flour
- Add ½ cup cold water and bring together into a ball, knead for a minute then wrap in plastic wrap or cover with a damp towel to rest for 10 minutes
- While the dough is resting, combine 7 green onions (scallions) finely chopped, ½ tsp Chinese five spice powder (if using), and remaining 1 tsp of salt into a small bowl
- Once the dough has rested for 10 minutes knead until a smooth ball is formed about 3-5 minutes then divide the dough into 4 pieces forming into smooth round balls, cover and let rest 20 – 30 minutes.
- once rested, take one ball at a time and roll it out to a rectangle around 10cm wide and 8cm high. Brush some sesame (or regular) oil in the center part and then sprinkle Chinese five spice powder if using. Spread the chopped scallion over the top of the pancake and then roll up the rectangle into a log. repeat with the remaining balls
- finish making all four balls into logs (keeping them covered as you work).T Once all 4 logs are made, take one out, slightly lengthening (stretching) the log with two hands, and then roll up from one end to the other forming into a snail shape. tuck the end into the dough.
- Then roll out the coil into a flat round circle. Be gentle and use your hand as if necessary to get a perfect, thin, round pancake
- Over medium heat, pour 1-2 Tbsp cooking oil in the pan and once heated, add one scallion pancake and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side then flip and cook for a further 1-2 minutes until the pancake is golden and cooked through. Spin the pancake occasionally to ensure it's not burning or sticking.
- Repeat with remaining pancakes.
- Serve with soy sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.