Apam Balik is a popular street snack in Malaysia. It is also well-known in neighbouring countries like Singapore and Indonesia.
Apam Balik literally means overturned pancake. It is simple to make and extremely delicious, loaded with peanuts, brown sugar and cream corn filling.
This pancake has two versions – thick and thin. The thick version is soft and fluffy with thinner and crispy edges, while the thin version is crispier. However, the filling for both types remain the same.
When it is cooked, the pancake is folded in half. Hence, the name balik (turnover).
The pancake itself is not sickly sweet. The sweetness comes from the filling of creamy sweet corn and sugar, and is complemented with a hint of saltiness from the butter.
Crushed, roasted peanuts further enhance the taste. It is especially good when eaten while it is still warm, fresh from the pan.
It is actually extremely easy to make Apam Balik. All we need to do is put all the ingredients together in a bowl and mix until there are no lumps. Then, leave the batter to rest until it gets bubbly.
This is an indication that the batter is doing well and is ready to use. Whisk the batter before using it.
Be generous with the filling. Sprinkle enough sugar and peanuts mixture to cover the batter.
Now, let’s look at the exact recipe to make this delicious snack during the fasting month.
Homemade Apam Balik
Equipment
- Pot
Ingredients
Batter
- 220 g Plain flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1/2 tsp Yeast
- 2 Eggs
- 50 g Sugar
- 310 ml Water
Filling
- 80 g Crushed roasted peanut
- Sugar
- Creamy sweet corn
- Butter
Instructions
- Toast skinless peanut until golden.
- Blend the peanut coarsely.
- In a bowl, add together plain flour, baking soda, instant yeast, and sugar.
- Mix all of the ingredients well.
- Add water and eggs, and then mix thoroughly. Let it stand for 30 minutes.
- Once the batter starts bubbling, it is now ready to be used.
- Drop a small cube of butter onto a heated non-stick pan and wipe away.
- Scoop batter into the pan.
- Cover and let cook for 3 minutes until air bubbles appear.
- Sprinkle some sugar, crushed roasted peanut, creamy sweet corn, and a cube of butter.
- Fold the pancake once the bottom surface is browned.
- Serve warm.
This Apam Balik is an excellent snack for the fasting month as it is quick and easy to prepare. Even my youngest son can dish it out for us!
Watch this video to see how to make this mouthwatering pancake with creamy sweet corn oozing out.
