Scallion Pancakes

Scallion Pancakes

The secret to layered, flaky, chewy-crunchy scallion pancakes? It’s all in the roll. Once you master this scallion pancakes recipe, you may never order them at a restaurant again.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cupsall-purpose flour, plus more for surface
  • kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoontoasted sesame oil
  • ⅓ cupchicken fat, warmed, or vegetable oil
  • 2 bunchesscallions, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
  • 8 tablespoonsvegetable oil, divided, plus more for brushing
  • 3 tablespoonsunseasoned rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoonssoy sauce
  • 1 teaspoonchili oil
  • ½ teaspoonsugar
  • ¼ teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes

Directions

  1. 1

    Whisk 2½ cups flour and 1 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Mix in sesame oil and 1 cup boiling water with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

  2. 2

    Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead, adding flour as needed to prevent sticking, until dough is smooth, about 5 minutes. Cover; let rest at room temperature 1 hour.

  3. 3

    Divide dough into 8 pieces. Working with one at a time, roll out on a lightly floured work surface as thin as possible (each should be approximately 10" in diameter). Brush about 2 tsp. chicken fat on dough and top with about ¼ cup scallions; season with salt. Roll dough away from you (like a jelly roll) into a thin cylinder, then, starting at 1 end, wind roll onto itself to create a coil (like a cinnamon roll). Cover and repeat with remaining dough. Let rest at room temperature 15 minutes.

  4. 4

    Working with 1 coil at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface to a 5" round (keep other coils covered). Repeat with remaining dough and stack as you go, separating with parchment or lightly greased foil brushed with vegetable oil.

  5. 5

    Heat 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-low. Working with one at a time, cook pancake, turning frequently to prevent scallions from burning, until golden brown and crisp on both sides and cooked through, 8–10 minutes. Transfer pancakes to a wire rack and let rest about 5 minutes before cutting into wedges.

  6. 6

    Whisk vinegar, soy sauce, chili oil, sugar, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl until sugar is dissolved. Serve alongside pancakes for dipping.