A shortcut to regular scallion pancakes is introduced here. We are making a scallion pancake from batter directly.
Scallion (green onion) pancake is one of our favorite breakfasts. My daughter loves it so much. I have already introduced a more authentic version with a crispy shell and soft inside version, and this is a super great shortcut version. With this version, you can make around 4 to 5 minutes within 20 minutes. I highly recommend this for hurry meals. Just magic happens and there is no kneading task at all.
Ingredients needed
- All-purpose flour – work perfectly for pancakes
- chopped scallions or green onions
- Salt
- Chinese five spice powder – optional but it gives the pancake a super lovely mixed spice flavor
- Cooking oil-– recommend peanut oil
Tips
I am using a pan 27cm in diameter and I end up with 4 pancakes by using this amount. This is perfect for me because I need to serve four family members currently. But you can use any pan. On the first attempt, if you find it difficult to make it a round pancake. It does not matter, as you will get yummy pancakes too. As for the shape, just keep practicing. You can also use a scraper to spread the batter.
You can also add eggs to this mixture to make an egg-flavored scallion pancake.
Instructions
Mix salt with Chinese five-spice powder with the all-purpose flour. And then mix with water. Continue stirring to get a smooth and consistent mixture. At this stage, you may feel the batter is a little bit dry, don’t worry it will be thinner after adding the chopped scallions.
Add chopped scallions, and mix well. Then set the batter aside for 5 minutes. So everything can combine together.
Heat a non-stick pan first, then add around 1 tablespoon of oil, and swirl to cover. Scoop the batter into the pan. When pouring over the mixture, do not place all of them in the center, swirl it evenly by rotating the spoon to make a basic round pancake. And then use a smaller spoon or a scraper to make the pancake as well distributed as possible.
Add extra oil when you feel the pancake is too dry and super easy to get burnt.
Pan-fry over medium fire for around 2-4 minutes until one side becomes golden brown. Turn over carefully to fry the second side for another 2 minutes. Then fry each side for another 1 minute for a darker color and crisper taste.
Repeat the process and finish all of the pancakes. Cut into wedges, and serve directly or with a dipping sauce.
Other Shortcut and Pancake recipes
- Steamed Peking duck pancake– which is made with dumpling wrappers.
- Easy spring roll wrapper with a brushing method.
- Chinese scallion pancake–the real street style.
- Chinese meat pie with beef filling
How to serve with this pancake
This will be great to serve with congee, porridge, or soups. Following are some of my favorite serving choice for this scallion pancake. All of those recommended dishes are super easy and require very short cooking time, so you can finish up a quick meal.
Chinese Scallion Pancake—Simplified Version
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour , measure after shifting
- 440 ml water
- 1 cup finely chopped scallion , wash and drain well
- pinch of salt
- 1/8 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder , optional
- vegetable oil for frying
Chili dipping sauce
- 1 tbsp. light soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp. chili oil
- 1 tbsp. chopped scallion
- 1/8 salt
- 1 tsp. sesame oil
Instructions
- Mix salt with Chinese five-spice powder with the all-purpose flour. And then mix with water. Continue stirring to get a smooth and consistent mixture. At this stage, you may feel the batter is a little bit dry, don't worry it will be thinner after adding the chopped scallions.
- Add chopped scallions in, and mix well. Then set the batter aside for 5 minutes.
- Heat a non-stick pan first, then add around 1 tablespoon of oil, and swirl to cover. Scoop the batter and pour it into the pan. When pouring over the mixture, do not place all of them in the center, swirl it evenly by rotating the spoon to make a basic round pancake. And then use a smaller spoon or a scraper to make the pancake as well distributed as possible.
- Pan-fry over medium fire for around 2-4 minutes until one side becomes golden brown. Turn over carefully to fry the second side for another 2 minutes. Then fry each side for another 1 minute for a darker color and crisper taste.
- Repeat the process and finish all of the pancakes. Cut into wedges, and serve directly or with the dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Your recipes and food look amazing! I have to try them out. =) Do you have your own restaurant?
Hi Audrey,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I am just a housewife. I love food photography and cooking. So I create this blog to share some of my daily cooking and recipes.
You must never say you are “just a housewife”! You are a very talented and accomplished young woman! Speaking as an older Canadian woman…you ARE appreciated!
Hi Patti,
Your words really make my day!!! Thanks so much for all the kind words.
Is it possible to make these with rice flour? I would like to make them gluten free but hear conflicting answers about swapping from all purpose flour. Thanks for taking your time to answer
Hi Hilary,
I never tried to use rice flour to make scallion pancakes but you give out a new option. Rice flour can be used to make pancakes and it can produce even crisper texture. I will try next time and please tell me your result if you tried.
They look delicious!
用中文怎么说? 煎饼?
I found them very frequently in Shanghai. One of the best Chinese choices for breakfast 🙂
Cheers!
Hi Joey,
The Chinese Name is 葱油饼. It is available almost in every province of China.
Any advice on what to serve with this for breakfast? Or any Chinese breakfast ideas. I have 2 Chinese foreigne exchange students bad to not enjoy a typical American breakfast or even fancy American breakfast and they’re sick of eating egg. Lol any Chinese people have any helpful suggestions? Thanks
Hi Raquel,
You can serve it with soy milk or simple Chinese congee.
It’s a simple dish, but one where it’s very beneficial to see the process in video or photos before starting out. In my new cookbook The Chinese Takeout Cookbook, I have a photo guide on rolling out the pancakes, but it seemed fitting to do an accompanying video as well.
Hi Chas,
For this version, there is no need to rolling out the pancakes. Those pancakes are made directly from batter.
Hi Elaine, tried out this simplified scallion pancake and it tastes good! Thanks for sharing.
Glad to hear the feedback. Happy cooking ahead.
I’ve been looking for a scallion pancake recipe and this looks perfect!! 😀
Thanks Sarah.
Hi, my name is Enith, I am from and live in Costa Rica and also I am a spanish speaker. This week I am opening my blog and I will like ask permission to translate the recipe of the scallions pancake ( simplified version), I made it for a family dinner and they really love specially the easy way to make it. Where do you live?
Best regards,
Enith
Thanks for your kind words. Enith. I am glad to know that your family love this easy scallion pancake. Sure you can translate it into Spanish. Sharing yummy recipes is always a pleasure for me.
Can you use whole wheat flour? or whole wheat pastry flour for a healthier version?
Hi Jennifer,
I think whole wheat flour+ some all-purpose flour might work. But the pancakes may be less chewy.
Do you think these could be baked instead Of fried. They look delicious. I try not to,eat fried food.
Hi Jessica,
I never tried to bake this as the batter is not thick enough. If fried food is really out of your option, remember to add less water and make the batter thicker.
The “spice powder” in your recipe is optional, but what kind of or which spice powder do you use ?
Hi Heidi,
It is Chinese five spice powder. A famous mixed spice just like Japanese seven spice. I posted a recipe about this spice powder, you can check it https://www.chinasichuanfood.com/five-spice-powder/
this looks great! do you know of anyway to freeze a batch so you can just fry it in the future?
thanks
Hi Emma,
Freezing is not recommended for this version because the pancake is directly made from batter instead of raw pancake. If you want to freeze them, I would recommend this one: https://www.chinasichuanfood.com/chinese-scallion-pancakes/.