Fluffy Layered Green Onion Cakes (Scallion Pancakes, Green Onion pancakes)

Green Onion Cakes (Scallion Cakes)

I will be the first to say that green onion cakes or green onion pancakes were never really on my radar throughout childhood or adulthood to say the least. However in recent months; most likely with me making my own kimchi I began to see green onions in a different light. The taste also began to grow on me. So after a few trials here is my recipe for green onion cakes.

Ingredients for Green Onion Cakes  

makes 8 green onion cakes

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup hot water
• 3/4 cup cold water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups (2-3 bundles) finely diced green onions (scallions) 
• 8 tsp sesame oil (1 tsp per green onion cake)
• extra salt (to taste)
• 1/4 tbsp canola oil (for cooking each green onion cake)
• additional flour for rolling and kneading

*bundle of green onion is the entire bundle comprised of 4-5 stalks of green onion

Dipping Sauce (mix the following together):

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2  tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/2  tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/2  tablespoon chili garlic sauce (add more if you like the heat) 
• 2-3 green onions (scallions) thinly sliced

Directions

1. Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Add in hot water until clumps form as you gently stir with a spatula.
   
2. Then, add in the cold water and stir until just combined.
   
3. Knead the dough gently on a clean floured surface. Form the dough into a ball. Then wrap up the ball of dough and let it rest for 1 hour in an airtight location (I put mine in the microwave).
   
   
4. After 1 hour, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Place a piece of plastic wrap on top to prevent the dough from drying out while you roll out the green onion cakes.
   
5. With a rolling pin, roll out the piece of dough to 8 inches in diameter on a lightly floured surface. Spread 1 tsp of sesame oil onto the surface of the dough.
   
6. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of chopped green onion onto the surface. Add an additional pinch of salt (sprinkled) on top before rolling.
   
7. Roll the dough up lengthwise. 
8. Ensure that the seam is at the bottom. Starting from one end, roll it up from one side until it becomes a tight ball. Tuck the end piece into the back of the ball. Squeeze the end slightly into the rest of the ball.
   
9. Using your rolling pin, flatten the green onion cake until it is 4.5 inches in diameter. As you roll, some green onion pieces may fall out. Gently place it back on top and continue to roll. Sprinkle flour on top of the cake and on the rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking.
   
10. Finish rolling out the rest of the green onion cakes. Place plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers of the green onion cakes to keep them from drying out and sticking to one another.
    
11. Using 1/4 tbsp of canola oil for cooking (each time), cook each green onion cake for 2 minutes each side or until it reaches a golden brown colour on each side. Feel free to use a cast iron pan, non-stick or stainless steel pan.
    
    
    

    

    The finished green onion cakes 

    
    

    

    The layers of the green onion cake

While you could do this all by yourself, it's helpful to have two people. This way, one person could be rolling it and the other can cook it. I used our cast iron pan, but you can definitely use non-stick pans as well. I feel the resulting green onion cake is awesome with several layers, juicy and flavourful with just the right amount of green onion and sesame flavour. It's definitely worth trying if you are craving green onion cakes. Have the pieces of the green onion cake with the dipping sauce (recipe above) for added flavour and enjoyment.