This delicious Crispy Chinese Scallion Pancakes (Cong You Bing) comes together in about 30 minutes and is perfect for weeknight dinner that your family will love! These pancakes are so versatile; you can switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use them to clean out the fridge by adding in any leftover veggies or proteins you have on hand. Seriously, they’re that good!
Ingredient Breakdown
- All-Purpose Flour
- Warm Water
- Salt
- Scallions (Green Onions)
- Vegetable Oil
Let’s Get Cooking!
The Cooking Process
Make the Dough (10 minutes) : In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour with a couple of pinches of salt. Gradually pour in 3/4 cup of warm water while stirring with a wooden spoon. You’ll want it to come together into a slightly sticky dough. Once it appears combined, knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, until smooth. Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 30 minutes. (Or go ahead and enjoy a quick coffee break!)
Roll Out the Dough (15 minutes) : After resting, divide the dough into four equal pieces. Roll one piece into a 10-inch circle. Brush it with a couple of teaspoons of vegetable oil and sprinkle a generous amount of finely chopped scallions over the top.
Shape the Pancakes (15 minutes) : Roll the dough tightly into a log, and then coil it into a lovely snail shape, this will give you those beautiful layers when you cook them! Flatten the coiled dough gently and roll it out to your desired thickness. I usually aim for about 1/4 inch thick.
Fry and Crisp (10 minutes) : Heat about 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the pancake to the pan and fry until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. You’ll know it’s ready when it gives off a delightful aroma and reaches that beautiful golden brown color. Repeat with the remaining pancakes.
Serve (5 minutes) : Serve the pancakes fresh from the skillet, paired with soy sauce or a dipping sauce of your choice. I could honestly eat these all day!
Why I Love This Recipe
Honestly, this is my go-to recipe when I need something quick and comforting! I’m a real sucker for anything crispy and full of flavor, and these scallion pancakes never disappoint. They remind me of family gatherings when my mom used to whip them up as a special treat. They’re so easy to customize based on what I have in my fridge, so I can throw in all sorts of veggies like bell peppers or leftover broccoli. The best part is, they are always a hit with my kids, they gobble them up every single time!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Banana Oatmeal Pancakes, my Easy Pancake Poppers, or my Norwegian Pancakes!
Why This Recipe Works
Customizable
Whether you want to use whatever ingredients you have in your kitchen or follow the traditional way, this recipe is incredibly flexible! Add cheese, spices, or swap scallions for other greens. The entire family can get creative with it!
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights or last-minute meals when you’re not sure what’s for dinner. Trust me, once you have the dough ready, it’s all about the frying!
Crowd-Pleaser
These pancakes are a true crowd-pleaser! Friends and family will often leave the table asking for seconds, if there are any left! Plus, they’re great for parties because they can be served as appetizers or snacks.
Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
Serve these crispy pancakes with a side of soy sauce, sesame oil, or even a sweet chili sauce for dipping. They pair wonderfully with stir-fried dishes or as part of a larger Chinese feast.
Storage
Leftover pancakes keep well in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container to maintain their crispiness.
Reheating Instructions
For the best results when reheating, pop them back in a skillet with a little bit of oil over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes per side until they’re warmed through and crispy again. You can also use the oven, but it may not recreate that golden crisp like a skillet does. Just be sure to cover them with foil if you’re using the oven to keep them from drying out.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze uncooked scallion pancakes. Just freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to cook, simply thaw them in the fridge and fry away!
A Little Extra Touch
Every time I make these, I think of that dinner party last spring when everyone gathered around our table, and one of my friends, who always claims to be a terrible cook, couldn’t help but compliment how fluffy and crisp they were! I love that you can make this recipe special for every occasion just by what you serve alongside it. Keep it cozy with a side of family and laughter, and you’ve got magic.
So, what are you waiting for? Get those scallions ready, and let’s make some fuss-free Crispy Chinese Scallion Pancakes! You’ll be enjoyed every bit of this delicious comfort food and wishing you had made a double batch to savor later!
Now, get cooking and enjoy your homemade scallion pancake adventure! And don’t forget to tell me how it turns out; I can’t wait to hear your stories! Join us in Pinterest for more Recipes!
Crispy Chinese Scallion Pancakes
Ingredients
Method
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually pour in warm water while stirring until a slightly sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, then cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Divide the rested dough into four equal pieces and roll one piece into a 10-inch circle.
- Brush the circle with vegetable oil and sprinkle chopped scallions evenly over the top.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log and coil it into a snail shape, then gently flatten and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fry the pancake until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve the pancakes warm with soy sauce or a dipping sauce of your choice.