Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (2024)

4.60 from 35 votes

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If you want to make an easy, hearty, rustic bread in a skillet, look no further than my delicious Scottish Bannock recipe!

By Gemma Stafford | | 34

Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (1)

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Scottish bannocks are a simple, rustic, and hearty skillet bread popular in Ireland, England, North America, and of course, Scotland. Since this bread has been around so long (since the 8th century!!), every family has its own take on the recipe, and I’m glad to share mine with you!

Bannocks are made with just a few common ingredients that are probably already in your home. In my instructions, I’ll show you how to turn old-fashioned rolled oats into oat flour, and if you don’t have any buttermilk on hand,you can always make your own.

These bannocks are perfect served alongside some soup on a cold day or with eggs for breakfast. They’re quick to bake as well—there’s no yeast, so there’s no need to let the dough rest, and you only have to bake it for around 25 minutes on a skillet!

Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (2)

What Is Scottish Bannock?

If you’re a fan of the show or book seriesOutlander,then you may be familiar with bannock! Bannocks are flat, round oat-based bread that has a texture that is somewhat like a scone. It’s believed they were first made in Scotland, where they were traditionally cooked on a stone. If you don’t feel like roughing it, I recommend using a cast-iron skillet or frying pan instead!

What You Need To Make Scottish Bannock

How To Make Scottish Bannock

I find it amazing that this bread has been around for so long and is still enjoyed today! Here is how you make Scottish bannock (get the full recipe with measurements below):

  1. To make oat flour, finely grind your oatmeal in a food processor or blender. Transfer the ground oatmeal to a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Whisk in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Then, mix in the buttermilk until a dough is formed.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it once or twice to bring it all together. Form the dough into an 8-inch (20cm) disc.
  4. Heat your skillet over low heat. Add just a touch of oil, and then place the dough on the skillet.
  5. Cook the bannock until it is nicely browned; this usually takes around 10-15 minutes. Then, flip the bannock and cook on the other side for another 10 minutes or so.
  6. Divide the bread into wedges and serve warm with butter and jam.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Scottish Bannock

  • When you are cooking the bannock, make sure you are using low heat and patience. Otherwise, the outside may brown before the center is fully cooked.
  • If you don’t have buttermilk, then you can easily make myButtermilk Substitute.
  • Level off your teaspoon of baking soda; more baking soda won’t help the bread rise more; it will just give your bread an acidic aftertaste.
  • If you prefer, divide the dough into 8 equal portions, shape it into discs, and cook individual bannocks.
  • Make a savory bannock by adding 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme or 1 cup (3 oz/85g) of grated cheddar cheese to the dough.
  • You can mix in 2/3 cup (3 1/3 oz/94g) dried fruit (chopped if large) to the dough before baking as well!

Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (3)

How Do I Store Scottish Bannock?

You can store any leftover Scottish bannock in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Make More Bread!

  • Sourdough Starter Guide
  • Perfectly Crusty Sourdough Loaf For Beginners
  • No-Knead Whole Wheat Bread
  • White Sandwich Bread
  • Hearty No-Yeast Bread

And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!

Full (and printable) recipe below!

Try These Recipes!

Homemade Corn Tortillas Recipe
Easy Sourdough Popovers Recipe
Homemade Dumpling Wrappers
Wholesome Breakfast Pizza Recipe (No-Knead)

Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe

4.60 from 35 votes

Print Recipe

If you want to make an easy, hearty, rustic bread in a skillet, look no further than my delicious Scottish Bannock recipe!

Author: Gemma Stafford

Servings: 8 servings

  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Oven

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

If you want to make an easy, hearty, rustic bread in a skillet, look no further than my delicious Scottish Bannock recipe!

Author: Gemma Stafford

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (6oz/170g) old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup (5oz/142g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (6floz/180ml) buttermilk
  • Oil (for cooking)

Instructions

  • Finely grind the oatmeal in a food processor or blender, and then transfer to a medium-sized mixing bowl.

  • To the oats, whisk in the flour, baking soda, and salt, and then mix in the buttermilk until a dough is formed.

  • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, knead once or twice to bring it together, and then form the dough into an 8-inch (20 cm) disc.

  • Heat a skillet over low heat. Add a touch of oil and then place the dough disc in the skillet.

  • Cook the bannock until nicely browned (about 10-15 minutes) and then flip and cook the other side and cook for another 10 minutes or so.

  • Divide into wedges and serve while still warm with butter and jam. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

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Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (10)

Hazel

2 years ago

I just made this and am absolutely in love! I added a little cinnamon. so warm and comforting <3 thank you!

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Teresa Green

2 years ago

Hi Gemma , I’m from Naas, Co. Kildare. I hate to sound ignorant but WHAT is a skillet. Can I use a Le Creuset cast iron round casserole on my Induction Hob – on low heat ! !. Thank you so much, LOVE YOUR RECIPES – one of my FAVOURITES – CREAMED RICE, could never get that result before now. Teresa.

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Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (12)

This is awesome, I always end up having to add more buttermilk anyone else ?

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Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (13)

Celia

2 years ago

I have loved all the recipes I have tried from you Gemma a question about this one, can I use all oat flour instead of the all purpose flour?

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Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (14)

Barbra Nehls

2 years ago

When baking on the stove top, do you leave the pan open or do you cover it? Thank you.

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Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (15)

Sarah

1 month ago

I just made it today and it was great. I substituted vegan buttermilk (almond milk and vinegar). I had this warm with grape jam.

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Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (16)

Gilly

5 months ago

Absolutely delicious. It’s now a regular in our house. My husband loves it and has dubbed it Bannock Burn (as in Battle of) even though I’ve never yet burned it! Really quick and tasty, good with butter and jam or a nice solid soup. Thanks great recipe!

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Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (17)

Sara

1 year ago

This looks like an excellent recipe! I wanted to make some bannock for my very first Michaelmas, but I couldn’t find any other recipes that are measured out in grams. Happily I found yours, it is just what I am looking for!

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Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (18)

Mikayla

2 years ago

Could I add some sugar and cinnamon?

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Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (19)

sahla

2 years ago

Hello Gemma!. I love your recipes and I’ve been a fan for a long time!. i wanted to know if you were familiar with Belvita biscuits (two large sized biscuits , cardamom spiced, looks like waffles and absolutely gorgeous!), I love these biscuits, but they are not available in my country. Could you, if possible whip up a recipe for this.
thank you for your time!, and keep up the amazing work!
With love,
Sahla

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About Us

Meet Gemma

Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (20)

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

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Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (21)

Rustic Scottish Bannock Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (2024)

FAQs

What does bannock mean in Scottish? ›

The name Bannock seems to originate from the Old Celtic English “bannuc”, derived from the Latin “panicium” for “bread” or meaning “anything baked”. Made simply from oatmeal and flour, the first citing of a bannock or bannuc recipe in Scotland was in the 8th Century.

Why is my bannock hard? ›

This is the part where you don't want to knead the dough too much because if you do… your bannock will become real hard. So make sure that you knead the dough only about 3-4 times, it should not take too long to do. Place it on a baking tray, then take a fork and start poking holes in the flat kneaded dough.

What are the three ways that bannock can be prepared or cooked? ›

Bannock can be baked in a pan or on a stone (camping), shallow pan-fried, or deep-fried. You can enjoy it with stews or just jam and butter.

Does bannock need to be refrigerated? ›

Leftover bannock or fry bread can be cooled to room temperature and stored for a few days in a large Ziplock bag on the counter, or for around a week in an airtight container in the fridge.

What is the difference between Scottish bannock and indigenous bannock? ›

Scottish bannock was usually made of barley, peameal, or oatmeal. Wheat flour was later introduced. Indigenous people eventually adopted bannock, often using corn flour or plants rather than the wheat flour of Europeans. Bannock became a staple for voyageurs, fur traders, prospectors, and later, Indigenous peoples.

Is bannock indigenous or Scottish? ›

Bannock is a type of fry bread, which originates from Scotland but was eventually adopted by the Indigenous peoples of Canada, particularly the Métis of western Canada. Bannock stems from the Gaelic word bannach, which means “morsel,” a short and sweet but accurate description.

What does bannock taste like? ›

Classic bannock has a smoky, almost nutty flavour blended with a buttery taste, while dessert bannock can have flavours resembling a donut or shortbread.

Why is my bannock so dense? ›

Don't over mix the dough or you'll end up with dense tough bannock, less handling you get lighter fluffier bannock. Place on a floured surface and flatten out with your hands, (don't use a rolling pin) cut circles out with cookie cutter or glass.

How long does bannock bread keep? ›

It is recommended to eat the bread as soon as it is made, this type of bread isn't advised for storing.

What is Native American bannock? ›

Bannock, a round of mostly flour, baking powder, water and some sort of fat, has been a part of Indigenous peoples' diets since the 18th century. It is believed that bannock, derived from the Gaelic word bannach, was introduced here by the Scottish fur traders.

Are there indigenous people in Scotland? ›

The UK is not a region known for its indigenous communities but Scotland is home to the often overlooked crofters. While faced with a number of challenges, Scottish crofters maintain an important place within Scotland's cultural landscape.

What are the benefits of bannock? ›

The advantages of bannock are obvious. Besides, tasting delicious, it is a quick and simple carbohydrate-rich food. Bannock soon became a staple for First Nations, voyageurs, fur traders and prospectors. Many would just mix the dough right into their flour bag, and toss it onto a pan whenever the need arose.

Where is bannock most popular? ›

Bannock (British and Irish food), a kind of bread, cooked on a stone or griddle served mainly in Scotland but consumed throughout the British Isles. Bannock (Indigenous American food), various types of bread, usually prepared by pan-frying also known as a native delicacy.

What is a fact about bannock? ›

Selkirk bannock is made from wheat flour and contains fruit. The word bannock derives from the Latin panicum, denoting an edible milletlike grain. Special bannocks were once made for holidays and religious feasts, such as Beltane bannocks on the first of May and Lammas bannocks on the first day of autumn.

What did the bannock people eat? ›

The rest of the year the Bannock lived in dome-shaped houses covered with grass. In the summer they fished for salmon, and in the spring they gathered seeds and roots. The root of the camas plant was an important food for the tribe.

What is the significance of bannock? ›

Introduced by European settlers, bannock quickly became adapted by Indigenous communities across North America due to forced assimilation and disrupted food systems caused by colonization. It represents the erasure of Indigenous foodways and the imposition of European culture.

Where did the name bannock come from? ›

Bannock as a boy's name is of Scottish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning of Bannock is "unleavened oat bread". The name may indicate an ancestor who was a baker.

What ethnicity is bannock? ›

Bannock, skaan (or scone), Indian bread, alatiq, or frybread is found throughout North-American Native cuisine, including that of the Inuit of Canada and Alaska, other Alaska Natives, the First Nations of the rest of Canada, the Native Americans in the United States, and the Métis.

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