Spring Onion Pancakes (Printer-friendly)

Flaky scallion pancakes: crisp outside, tender inside. Ready in 45 minutes; great for snacks or appetizers.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 cup boiling water
03 - 1/4 cup cold water
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

→ Filling

05 - 1 cup scallions (spring onions), thinly sliced (green and white parts)
06 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon white pepper (optional)

→ For frying

08 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus additional oil for brushing and frying

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large mixing bowl. Pour in boiling water and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes shaggy. Add cold water and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 4–6 minutes.
02 - Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest at room temperature for 20 minutes to relax the gluten and make rolling easier.
03 - Divide the rested dough into 4 equal pieces and shape each into a smooth ball, keeping them covered to prevent drying.
04 - On a lightly floured surface, roll one dough ball into a thin rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. Lightly brush the surface with oil, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and one quarter of the sliced scallions.
05 - Roll the dough sheet into a tight jelly roll, then coil the roll into a spiral (snail shape). Tuck the end underneath and gently flatten the coil with your palm. Repeat with remaining pieces.
06 - Roll each coil into a roughly 6-inch (15 cm) disc, working gently to preserve the internal layers for flakiness.
07 - Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Fry one pancake at a time, cooking 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp; add more oil between batches as needed.
08 - Transfer cooked pancakes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, slice into wedges and serve warm with soy sauce, chili oil or other preferred condiments.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The trick to ultra-flaky layers is easier than it looks (and feels like a kitchen magic trick every time).
  • Fresh spring onions bring a gentle bite that pairs beautifully with crisp, golden edges—perfect for snacking or sharing.
02 -
  • If you try to rush the rolling and coiling steps, you’ll end up with tough flatbread instead of delicate, layered pancakes.
  • Generously oiling between the layers is the not-so-secret trick to ultimate flakiness—I learned the hard way the first time when I skimped.
03 -
  • Letting the dough rest fully makes rolling much easier and helps those flaky layers bloom.
  • Using plenty of flour when rolling keeps things from sticking—and your sanity intact.
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