Pandan waffles, also called Banh Kep La Dua, is a Vietnamese snack prepared using coconut milk instead of normal milk and flavored with pandan leaves, which gives them a green color and strong, sweet aroma. Pandan leaves are also commonly known as the “Vanilla of the East”.
The pandan flavouring provides the batter with a unique spring green colour. Once cooked, the waffles turn brown and crisp on the outside and remains green and chewy on the inside. Unlike other waffles, they are generally eaten plain with no need for additional toppings.
Origin & Cultural Significance
Pandan waffles originated in Vietnam. Research proves that sellers in Vietnam already vended their version of waffles, the bahn (also known as flour cake-breads), throughout the 19th century.
Later, French colonials had a great influence on the Vietnamese vendors, causing them to adopt French cooking appliances (including the waffle-maker) while still making use of local ingredients such as rice flour and pandan leaves.
In Vietnam, pandan waffles are very popular among children as they are comparatively cheaper. They’re generally prepared in either cast iron moulds heated with charcoal or in electric waffle irons.
Vietnamese Pandan Waffles
Ingredients
- Self-raising flour - 1 cup
- Sugar - 1/2 cup
- Corn starch/cornflour - 1 tbsp
- Coconut milk - 1 cup (180 ml)
- Milk - 1/2 cup (70 ml)
- Egg - 1
- Butter - 1 tbsp
- Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
- Pandan flavouring - 1/2 tsp
- Cooking oil spray
Toppings (if preferred)
- Condensed milk, ice cream, cream or fresh strawberries
Instructions
To make the batter:
- Begin by taking a bowl and adding the self-raising flour, sugar, corn starch, coconut milk and regular milk to it. Mix all the ingredients properly.
- Now, add the egg, vanilla essence, pandan flavoring and melted butter and mix well. Make sure all the ingredients are combined properly. The consistency of the batter should be smooth and thick.
To cook the waffles:
- Take the waffle maker and set it to medium-high heat. If you are using a waffle iron, place it on the stove over a medium-high flame.
- Spray with cooking oil spray or moisten the surface of both the top and bottom irons using butter or oil. This step prevents the batter from sticking to the surface.
- Now, transfer enough batter onto the waffle maker (or waffle iron) for it to cover the base iron plate.
- Make sure you instantly shut the lid and flip it over to confirm the batter is uniformly distributed. This step is significant as it will ensure that your waffle doesn’t end up being flat or lumpy on one side.
- Keep in mind to cook for at least 3-4 minutes on each side.
- After 3-4 minutes, check to ensure the waffle is perfectly cooked according to your preferred degree of crispiness.
- For toppings (if desired), you can drizzle a little bit of condensed milk on top of the waffles. You can also substitute condensed milk with ice cream, fresh strawberries or normal cream and there you have it. Your delicious pandan waffles are ready to be served!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 734Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 635mgCarbohydrates: 91gFiber: 2gSugar: 54gProtein: 12g