These puff pastry scallion pancakes are a quick way to enjoy this classic Chinese side dish at home. They can be made in under 30 minutes. Serve with or without dipping sauce.

Scallion pancakes can be made ahead of time along with other side dishes such as chilled chinese broccoli, simple & succulent edamame that’s not boring, and coconut date balls.
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What is different about this recipe
- Use of puff pastry - These turn out a little more fluffy and crispy than making a dough from scratch, which also takes longer.
- Optional dipping sauce - Since there is so much fat inside the pastry already, these scallion pancakes can be enjoyed by themselves without the soy sauce dipping sauce.
Ingredients
There are just 3 ingredients needed for this shortcut Chinese pastry.
- Puff pastry - Made with lots of thin layers of dough and fat that puff up into crispy layers in the oven.
- These can come already cut into squares or rolled with parchment paper in the freezer section of the grocery store.
- Look for an all butter version or one made with non-hydrogenated margarine.
- You may also be able to find whole wheat or gluten free versions.
- Green onions - Do you ever notice how quickly green onions wilt in the fridge once you buy them?
- Slice and store in an airtight container if you don't plan to use the fresh green onion stalks right away.
- Salt - This is a must to season the green onion, especially if you don't serve with a dipping sauce.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
You will need a rolling pin and a silicone baking mat or bit of flour to help roll out the pastry.
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Sprinkle green onions onto 1 side of a puff pastry square. Sprinkle with salt to taste.
- Step 2: Gently roll the square into a tight square, taking care to keep as many of the green onions inside the pastry.
- Step 3: Coil the pastry log into a snail like ball.
- Step 4: Pinch the end of the log into the pastry to form a circle.
- Step 5: Gently roll out the coiled pastry into a flat disk. Some of the green onions will peek out, and that's okay.
- Step 6: Place the pastry on a sheet pan lined with silcone or parchment paper. Poke the surface a few times with fork to allow steam to escape.
- Step 7: Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 8: Let cool for 3-5 minutes before taking your first bite to allow the puffy steam to settle.
Hint: Use a little bit of flour if you don't have a silicone mat to help roll out the pastry without sticking to the work surface.
Top Tips
- Cheaper versions of puff pastry are made with margarine. However, you can find brands made with all butter or non-hydrogenated margarine. Sometimes, there are whole wheat versions too.
- Use a silicone baking sheet for rolling out the puff pastry. You don't have to add flour, and you can bake directly on the same sheet in the oven.
- Store up to 3 days in an airtight container. Toast in the oven to refresh, and make them crispy again.
Related Side Dishes
Looking for other simple recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing with Fish
Serve these scallion cakes alongside an easy fish recipe:
Recipe
Puff Pastry Scallion Pancakes
Ingredients
- 4 oz frozen puff pastry or enough to make 4 - 4x4" squares
- 4 ea green onion, sliced about 1 cup
- salt to taste
- flour for rolling out the pastry, if you don't have a silicon baking mat
- oil - optional for glazing the top of the pastry
Optional Dipping Sauce
- 2 Tb soy sauce
- 1 Tb rice vinegar
- 1 Tb chili oil or plain oil for non-spicy
- 2 teaspoon hoisin sauce for sweetness
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees with a rack on the upper third of the oven.
- Remove puff pastry from freezer to thaw. Cut into 4 squares (about 4 x 4") once thawed enough to slice.
- Distribute the green onions in an even layer onto the puff pastry squares. Sprinkle with salt.
- Use a rolling pin to gently press the green onions into the pastry.
- Roll each square of puff pastry into a tight cigar shaped log. Take care to keep as much of the green onion inside the pastry as possible.
- Coil the cigar log into a snail like circle.
- With a rolling pin, flatten the circles to about a 6" diameter circle, about ¼" thick.You can sprinkle a little bit of flour on the rolling pin and work surface, if you wish, so the pastry doesn't stick.
- Flip the circles over, so the pressed side with any green onions poking through lie on the bottom of the sheet pan. (This makes them less likely to burn.)
- Poke a few holes with a fork on the top of each pastry. This will help them release steam in the oven, so they don't explode.
- Brush with oil if desired for a darker golden sheen.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Notes
- Cheaper versions of puff pastry are made with margarine. However, you can find brands made with all butter or non-hydrogenated margarine. Sometimes, there are whole wheat versions too.
- Use a silicone baking sheet for rolling out the puff pastry. You don't have to add flour, and you can bake directly on the same sheet in the oven.
- Store up to 3 days in an airtight container. Toast in the oven to refresh, and make them crispy again.
- Use leftover dipping sauce as a stir-fry sauce.
Nutrition
Fortune Cookie 🥠
Be not afraid of growing slowly. Be afraid of standing still.
Chinese Proverb
CC says
do you have a recipe for that soy sauce-based dipping sauce that restaurants often serve with scallion pancakes?
Thanks!
[email protected] says
Hi CC! Yes, great question! It will contain soy sauce, rice vinegar, a pinch of sugar and optional sesame seeds and chili flakes or oil. Let me work on quantities and update the recipe!