Apam Balik: Malaysia’s Crispy Sweet Pancake Delight

If you’ve ever wandered through a bustling Malaysian night market, chances are you’ve seen or smelled the irresistible aroma of apam balik. This iconic street snack is one of Malaysia’s most beloved traditional treats – a sweet, crispy pancake folded in half and generously filled with crushed peanuts, sugar, and creamy corn. It’s affordable, nostalgic, and absolutely delicious!

Whether you’re visiting Malaysia for the first time or you’ve lived here all your life, apam balik is the kind of food that speaks to the soul – warm, crunchy, and satisfyingly sweet. Let’s dive into what makes this humble pancake so special and why it should be on your must-try food list!

› Best deals on Booking.com
› Book your tour and activities here
› Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Hotels

To-dos

Flights

Cars

Simcards

This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. You can read our full disclosure here.

What Makes Apam Balik So Special?

So, what’s the hype about? Well, apam balik is more than just a pancake. It’s a delightful fusion of textures – crispy edges, fluffy interior, gooey corn, and crunchy peanuts – all in one bite. What makes it even more special is its versatility. Vendors across Malaysia put their own spin on it, creating unique flavours while keeping the heart of the snack intact.

But beyond the taste, apam balik carries a strong sense of nostalgia for many Malaysians. It reminds locals of after-school snacks or pasar malam (night market) outings with family. It’s a comfort food that transcends generations – cheap, cheerful, and full of character.

Essentials of Apam Balik: The Core Ingredients

The beauty of apam balik lies in its simplicity. The traditional version doesn’t require fancy ingredients, yet the result is incredibly flavourful. Here’s what goes into the classic version:

• Batter: Made from a mix of flour, eggs, sugar, baking soda, and coconut milk or water. This creates a pancake that’s slightly spongy in the middle but crisp around the edges when cooked on a hot griddle.
• Filling: A generous layer of crushed peanuts, granulated sugar, and canned sweet corn (yes, sweet corn!) makes up the traditional trio.
• Butter or margarine: For that extra richness and a hint of saltiness that balances the sweetness.

Once the batter is cooked, the filling is sprinkled over, the pancake is folded in half, and it’s ready to be served hot off the griddle. The contrast of textures is what keeps people coming back for more!

Popular Add-Ons and Modern Variations

Like many Malaysian dishes, apam balik has evolved over time. While the traditional version still rules the hearts of many, creative vendors have taken it to the next level with fun and exciting twists. Some popular variations include:

• Mini Apam Balik (Apam Balik Nipis): These bite-sized versions are thinner and crunchier, often served as individual pieces. Great for snacking on the go!
• Chocolate and Nutella: Perfect for sweet tooths – chocolate spread, sprinkles, or even banana slices are added to the filling.
• Cheese: A savoury-sweet combo that actually works! Cheddar or mozzarella is melted into the pancake for that gooey finish.
• Oreo or Milo: Yes, some vendors have gone viral for stuffing apam balik with crushed Oreos or Milo powder. It’s decadent, no doubt!
• Durian filling: For those who love Malaysia’s king of fruits, this one’s a bold but surprisingly tasty twist.

These variations are especially popular among younger Malaysians, and you’ll find them mostly in urban food trucks or modern pasar malam stalls.

Where to Find the Best Apam Balik in Malaysia

If you’re hunting down the best apam balik, you won’t have to look far. This snack is sold at night markets, street stalls, roadside vans, and food courts across the country. However, a few places have earned a reputation for their exceptional versions:

• Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur: A tourist hotspot with plenty of delicious street food. There are a few vendors here that serve both traditional and modern apam balik styles.
• Taman Connaught Night Market, Cheras: One of the longest night markets in Malaysia. Vendors here often serve extra crispy versions with cheese and chocolate.
• Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang: Famous for its street eats, you’ll find fluffy, peanut-loaded apam balik made fresh to order.
• Penang Pasar Malam (Night Markets): Penang’s vibrant food scene is home to some of the best traditional apam balik, especially in places like Farlim and Batu Ferringhi.
• Kota Kinabalu Night Market: Over in Sabah, you’ll find unique apam balik versions, sometimes incorporating local ingredients like pandan or gula apong (local palm sugar).

My Experience of Trying Apam Balik

I still remember the first time I tried apam balik during a night stroll in Melaka. The smell hit me first – a mix of roasted peanuts and buttery batter sizzling on the griddle. I ordered one, still hot and slightly crispy at the edges, and took that first bite. The crunch of the peanuts, the sweetness of the corn, the slight saltiness of the margarine – chef’s kiss.

Since then, I’ve made it a point to try apam balik from different parts of Malaysia, and each one has its own twist. In Penang, the peanuts were coarser and the batter fluffier. In KL, the thin and crispy ones were a treat, almost like eating a biscuit filled with sweet goodness.

Honestly, apam balik is one of those snacks that never disappoints. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, it always hits the spot.

Add More Malaysian Food to Your List

Malaysia is a food paradise, and if you love apam balik, here are a few more treats you should definitely try:

• Kuih Lapis: A colourful layered dessert made from rice flour and coconut milk – fun to eat and pleasing to the eye!
• Pisang Goreng: Deep-fried banana fritters, crispy outside and soft inside – perfect with a cup of tea.
• Cendol: A cooling dessert with shaved ice, green pandan jelly, red beans, and gula melaka syrup – ideal for Malaysia’s hot weather.
• Roti John: A Malay-style sandwich with egg, minced meat, and sauces – a hearty snack that’s popular at bazaars.
• Nasi Kerabu: This blue rice dish from Kelantan is a must-try if you want something colourful, flavourful, and truly Malaysian.
• Cucur udang – Deep-fried prawn fritters, crunchy and savoury with a sweet chilli dip.

Conclusion

Apam balik isn’t just a snack – it’s a little taste of Malaysian heritage, packed into a warm, crispy fold. It’s easy to fall in love with its texture, flavour, and sheer nostalgia. Plus, with so many modern variations popping up across Malaysia, there’s always a new version to discover.

So next time you’re in Malaysia, don’t leave without trying apam balik. Head to a pasar malam, follow the smell of roasted peanuts, and treat yourself to this simple yet iconic Malaysian delight.

Have you tried apam balik before? Or do you have a favourite place to get it? Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear your thoughts!