Shanghai-Style Scallion Pancakes with Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Crisp on the outside, chewy inside scallion pancakes inspired by Shanghai flavors, served with a tangy, spicy soy dipping sauce to elevate your brunch experience. This Chinese-inspired brunch recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, boiling water, sesame oil into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 cup scallions, finely chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp minced garlic

The griddle we’d cook this on → Best Griddles for 2026: Stovetop and Electric Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 2 cups all-purpose flour in a large bowl. Slowly pour 3/4 cup boiling water while stirring with chopsticks or a fork until a shaggy dough forms. When cool enough to handle, knead the dough for 5 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 7-inch circle. Brush each circle with 1/2 tbsp sesame oil, sprinkle evenly with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions. Roll each circle into a log, then coil into a round snail shape. Flatten gently with palm and roll out again to 7-inch pancakes.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Fry each pancake for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Add more oil as needed.
4. Step 4: For the dipping sauce, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp chili flakes, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp minced garlic until sugar dissolves.
5. Step 5: Serve hot scallion pancakes with the spicy soy dipping sauce on the side.