Quick and easy scallion pancakes made with just 4-ingredients and comes together in 15 minutes. You’re going to love these cheater Chinese savoury pancakes that taste just like the traditional version and are freezer friendly!
One of my favourite breakfasts to have when visiting my grandparents and relatives were Chinese Scallion Pancakes. My grandma would wake up early just to get started on the pancakes, since they do require quite a bit of time and effort.
I originally wanted to tackle an authentic scallion pancake recipe but just like she said when she shared the method of scissor cutting noodles, ‘you youngsters don’t have the patience and time, for now try this!’ and shared with me this *life changing* short cut scallion pancake hack. Plus, she said it would probably better to show me step by step in person for the authentic recipe so until then, these have been curbing my cravings.
Only 4 Ingredients!
Scallion pancakes are traditionally made starting with a dough, rolling it out, applying su (a mixture of oil and and flour), salt and scallion. The dough is then rolled up again and then rolled out, creating a ton of flaky layers much like croissants. The ‘cheats’ part of this recipe is the dough– instead of making it from scratch we’re using dumpling wrappers!
What you need:
- Dumpling wrappers
- Scallions
- Neutral Oil
- Salt
How to make it: step by step
Another perk of this recipe is how quick it is to make! While they normally can take up to 1 1/2 hours, this version requires just 15 minutes.
I first prep my work station by having everything ready: a bowl of oil, water, salt, finely sliced scallions and dumpling wrappers.
- Take one dumpling wrapper and wet the edge of the left side with your fingers. Layer the edge of another dumpling wrapper where you applied water and gently press down. Repeat with one more to make a chain of 3. (See below how to make bite sized or larger pancakes).
- Brush the oil onto the dumpling wrappers, sprinkle with salt and a generous amount of the scallions.
- Roll up the dumpling wrappers (just like how you would cinnamon rolls). Don’t roll them too tightly or when you press down on it the dumpling wrapped may rip open. Pinch the two ends together to seal it so it doesn’t unravel.
- Place the roll seam side up and roll it into a spiral.
- Place it flat and wet the loose edge with some water. Gently press it against the main roll to prevent it from unraveling.
- Using the palm of your hands, flatten it to your desired thickness. If you like thinner pancakes, use a rolling pin and carefully roll it out.
- Repeat with as many as you want to make.
- Pan fry them over medium heat on each side until they get golden brown and crispy (about 4 minutes on the first side and 2-3 minutes on the other).
Tips & Recipe Notes
- Scallions: Thinly slice the scallions as it helps produce more flavour.
- Dumpling wrappers: Be sure to use the white dumpling wrappers used for dumplings and wontons (the ones without egg).
- Thinner pancakes: If you like super thin pancakes, you can roll out the dumpling wrapper before oiling it.
- Mini pancakes: Instead of using 3, use one and follow the process! It makes these fun one-bite pancakes.
- Larger pancakes: You can also make them bigger by using up to 5-6 and following the same process.
- Make ahead & Freeze: After making each pancake (uncooked), place them on a parchment lined baking tray and freeze. If you need to stack the pancakes, place parchment paper between the pancakes to prevent them from sticking. Once froze, transfer them into a freezer safe bag. Cook as directed below (no need to thaw beforehand).
More Chinese vegan recipes to try:
If you recreate this Cheats Easy Scallion Pancakes recipe let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and rating below or by tagging me on Instagram @Okonomikitchen, I love seeing all of your tasty recreations!
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Cheats Easy Scallion Pancakes (4 Ingredients)
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Quick and easy scallion pancakes made with just 4-ingredients and comes together in 15 minutes. You’re going to love these cheater Chinese savoury pancakes that taste just like the traditional version!
Ingredients
Scallion Pancakes
- 12 dumpling / wonton wrappers
- 2 scallions, finely sliced
- grape seed oil (or any neutral oil such as vegetable oil or canola oil)
- salt, to taste
Dipping sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (15ml)
- 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar (15ml)
- 1/2 scallion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 tsp maple syrup or sugar of choice
- water to thin, optional
Instructions
- Prepare work station: Remove dumpling wrappers from the package and cover with a damp kitchen cloth to prevent them from drying out. Rinse, dry and thinly slice the scallions. Prepare a small bowl of water, oil with a pastry brush and small dish of salt.
- Make the pancakes: Take one dumpling wrapper and wet the edge of the left side with your fingers. Layer on another dumpling wrapper, gently press down and repeat once more. This will seal the wrappers and prevent them from falling apart. Brush some oil onto the dumpling wrappers, sprinkle with salt and sprinkle on the scallions.
- Roll the pancakes: Roll the wrapper from the bottom up (much like a cinnamon roll). Do not roll too tightly or it will be more difficult to flatten later. Pinch the two ends together to prevent scallions from falling out. It should now look like a mini cinnamon roll. Place it seam side up and roll into a spiral. Wet the end with some water (if its dry) and gently press it in to prevent it from unrolling.
- Flatten: Use the palm of your hands and flatten the pancake. If you want a thinner pancake, roll it out with a rolling pin. Do not roll out too much or the scallions may come out.
- To make mini bite sized scallion pancakes: Instead of layering 3 dumpling wrappers, follow the same process but using only one dumpling wrapper.
- Cook: Over medium heat, add 1-2 tbsp of oil to a non-stick pan. Add the scallion pancakes and cook each side until golden brown and crisp (about 3 minutes for the first side and 2 minutes on the other side).
- Add all the dipping sauce ingredients into a bowl. Serve with the pancakes and enjoy!
Notes
- Helpful Equipment: wooden rolling pin, pastry brush
- Nutritional Information Disclaimer: Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated on an online tool (Cronometer).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: breakfast
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: vegan, chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pancake
- Calories: 124
- Sugar: 0.4g
- Sodium: 237mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.8g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 16.8g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0
SAVE IT FOR LATER! ↓
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This was actually so good I couldn’t believe it!! Tastes exactly like the frozen pre-made ones I used to buy before moving to Japan. Thank you so much for an amazing hack <3
ive made this many times! so easy. added more wrappers for a larger portion.
Genius!!!!!
The perfect recipe for my leftover dumpling wrappers when I don’t have enough ingredients in the fridge to make anything else! Love how easy they were to make.
Perfect recipe for your left over dumpling skins you don’t want to freeze and scallions you don’t want to waste. So quick, so easy, so delicious.
This was the first recipe i tried from the blog and I can’t recommend it enough! So good esp when you’re busy with work, studying etc! Love it😍