Scallion Pancakes (葱油饼)

Instructions

1. 1Mix flour and salt. Slowly pour in hot water, stirring with chopsticks, until it forms shaggy clumps. Knead into a smooth ball. Cover, rest 20 minutes.

   烫面，醒20分钟

   🔍 Look for 醒发 20 分钟 · 20 minutes rest

   Visual: 面团揉成光滑有弹性的圆球Dough comes together into a smooth, elastic ball

   You know it's right when: 手指轻按能回弹Dough springs back when poked

2. 2Meanwhile make the oil paste: whisk oil + flour until smooth. Dry the chopped scallions on a paper towel (wet scallions make soggy layers).

   调油酥，擦干葱

   🔍 Look for

   Visual: 油酥顺滑、色泽浅、易涂抹Paste is smooth, pale, and spreadable

   You know it's right when: 没有面粉结块No flour lumps

3. 3Divide dough into 4 balls. Roll each into a thin rectangle (about 2-3 mm).

   擀薄片

   🔍 Look for

   Visual: 面片薄到微微透光Rectangle is thin enough to be slightly translucent

   You know it's right when: 透过面片能隐约看到手Can see your hand faintly through it

4. 4Spread oil paste thinly over the dough, sprinkle with scallions. Roll it up tightly into a long log, then coil the log into a spiral. Rest 5 minutes.

   抹油酥卷起，盘成螺旋

   🔍 Look for 静置 5 分钟 · 5 minutes rest

   Visual: 螺旋保持形状；切面可见层次Coil holds its shape; layers are visible at the cut edge

   You know it's right when: 螺旋不会自己散开Coil doesn't unroll on its own

5. 5Roll each coil gently into a flat pancake, about 5-6 mm thick. Don't press hard — you want to preserve the layers.

   轻擀成饼

   🔍 Look for

   Visual: 饼厚度均匀，螺旋纹路清晰可见Pancake is even thickness, spiral pattern visible

   You know it's right when: 边缘层次依然分明Layers still distinct at the edge

6. 6Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium. Fry the pancake 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crisp.

   中小火煎至两面金黄

   🔍 Look for Medium heat 每面 2-3 分钟 · 2-3 minutes per side

   Visual: 出现金棕色斑点；饼微微鼓起，层次分离Golden-brown patches; pancake puffs slightly and layers separate

   You know it's right when: 边缘呈层状，轻敲有脆响Edges look flaky and sound crisp when tapped

7. 7Move to a cutting board, rest 1 minute (traps steam = flaky). Cut into wedges. Repeat for remaining pancakes.

   出锅切块

   🔍 Look for 静置 1 分钟 · 1 minute rest

   Visual: 饼静置时微微冒热气；切开时层次挑起Pancake steams slightly as it rests; layers lift when cut

   You know it's right when: 切开时能明显看到层次剥开Layers visibly peel apart when cut