Scallion Pancakes

By Amy Dong
Updated Dec. 5, 2024

These flaky, crispy, and tender Scallion Pancakes are also known as Green Onion Cakes. Regardless of what you call them, these Chinese dim sum appetizers are wildly popular for good reason.

scallion pancakes sliced in quarters. — Sinking your teeth into these crispy, tender Scallion Pancakes is total bliss!

Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe

Why This Recipe Stands Out

Chinese Scallion Pancakes bring me back to my childhood, as they were always a favorite in my home. There’s nothing else quite like these dim sum favorites – always mouthwatering, satisfying, and completely addictive. Here’s what you’ll love:

5 Simple Ingredients: Scallion Pancakes take just 5 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Flaky, Tender Layers: We share our best tips and tricks on rolling out and cooking these savory pancakes to achieve crisp, flaky, tender layers.
Can Be Made in Advance: Scallion Pancake dough freezes super well, making it a great option for an easy meal prep appetizer.
The Perfect Appetizer: These pancakes make the perfect appetizer for any meal. They’re especially delicious served with our favorite Asian dishes!

Key Recipe Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour – No need for anything special. All-Purpose flour creates the perfect consistency for Scallion Pancakes.
Boiling Water – Starting the dough with boiling water prevents the gluten from forming strongly, which makes the dough both easy to work with and perfectly tender and chewy.
Cold Water – We add cold water after mixing in the boiling water to help the dough form into a ball.
Salted Butter – Softened salted butter is rolled into the dough for extra flaky, buttery layers. It’s an unexpected secret ingredient!
Scallions – Scallions, or green onions are what provides the wonderfully aromatic flavor of these dim sum scallion cakes; be generous here.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

water and flour mixed together for scallion pancakes.

dough for scallion pancakes being kneaded.

In a large bowl, add boiling water to flour and mix. Let cool a few minutes.
Add cold water and knead dough until smooth and not sticky. Cover with cling wrap and let rest at room temp for 1 hour.

dough for scallion pancakes being divided.

Transfer dough to a floured working surface and divide into 6 even pieces.
Roll each piece of dough into a 10-inch round. Spread butter on top of each round and sprinkle evenly with salt and green onions.

scallion pancake dough with butter and scallions.

scallion pancake dough being pinwheeled.

Roll each dough round up tightly over the butter and scallions.
Then take one end and roll it up to the other side into a wheel. Secure ends tightly pinched. Let rest.

Roll buns into 1/4 inch thick pancakes. Gently place one cake into heated oil in pan over medium-low heat, and fry until crispy and browned. Flip and repeat.
Repeat with remaining pancakes. Slice into wedges and enjoy!

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

While these Scallion Pancakes are best enjoyed right away after frying, the dough stores really well. Here’s how we make these in advance:

Chill Dough Ball Overnight: Once you have kneaded your dough and are ready to let it rest for an hour, feel free to wrap it airtight and place it in the fridge overnight. Let it come to room temp the next day and continue as normal.
Freeze Prepared Pancakes: To freeze the dough, just roll it out as instructed, and stack with 2 layers of floured wax paper or parchment paper in between each uncooked pancake. It’s important to use double layers of wax paper, as we’ve found 1 layer of paper to be too thin. Store in airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Refrigerate Prepared Pancakes: To refrigerate prepared pancakes, use the exact same storage method with flour and wax paper and place in the fridge overnight.

stack of scallion pancakes garnished with more green onions.

What To Serve With Scallion Pancakes

Noodles

Scallion Pancakes make the perfect appetizer to these savory, sweet, and garlicky Easy Dan-Dan Noodles.
This recipe for Chicken Lo Mein is better than takeout and almost just as easy.
Another ridiculously easy meal-prep dish is this recipe for big-on-flavor Thai Peanut Noodles.

Meat

You have to try this Easy, Healthy Orange Chicken! It pairs wonderfully with Scallion Pancakes.
This 30-Minute Asian Orange Beef is another must-try recipe, and it’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Serve Green Onion Pancakes with this Thai Green Chicken Curry for a bright, vibrant, ultra-flavorful dinner.

Salads

Try this Vietnamese Chicken Salad for a crunchy, fresh, and healthy meal!
We can’t get enough of this Chinese Chicken Salad, especially served along with Scallion Pancakes.
Another amazing side (that can easily be converted into a main meal with some protein) is this Asian Pasta Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing.

Commonly Asked Questions

What are Chinese scallion pancakes made out of?

There are only 5 simple ingredients in our scallion pancakes: flour, onions, salt, butter, and oil.

Are scallions and green onions the same thing?

Yes, they refer to the same item at the grocery store. The labels are used interchangeably for the same thing.

Are scallion pancakes Japanese or Chinese?

Scallion pancakes are also known as green onion cakes or Chinese Pancakes. They originated from the Chinese culture and are an ultra popular Chinese street food. In fact, any Chinese people enjoy them for breakfast.

Can you freeze homemade scallion pancakes?

We recommend freezing only uncooked scallion cakes – simply prepare them up to the point of cooking, and freeze them with sheets of wax or parchment paper in between each pancake. When ready, cook them from frozen.

Can Scallion Pancakes be cooked now and enjoyed later?

Scallion Pancakes are best enjoyed right off the stove. Storing them will leave them more limp and chewy rather than crisp, flaky, and buttery. But, the dough keeps very well!

Did you make this?

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