Classic Oat Bannock Bread Recipe

By
Terri Wuerthner
Terri Wuerthner
Chef-instructor, award-winning food writer, and 10th-generation Cajun who has authored two cookbooks.
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Updated on 02/17/22
Classic oat bannock bread

The Spruce

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 1 loaf
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
361 Calories
15g Fat
52g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 361
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 20%
Saturated Fat 9g 43%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 493mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 52g 19%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 116mg 9%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 73mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Bannock bread originated in Scotland and is a flat, often unleavened bread, sometimes described as a giant scone. Bannock is most commonly made of oats, as in this recipe, but can also be made with flour, barley, and even ground dried peas. Scottish explorers brought bannock bread to North America. Today, it is mainly associated with indigenous peoples in Canada and is a popular bread to make during wilderness activities.

This recipe for bannock bread, which has its origins in Acadia (now Nova Scotia), is a crumbly loaf that can be mixed in five minutes. The bread is baked in a pie plate and then cut into wedges, much like scones or soda bread. The sugar makes this an excellent breakfast bread, but feel free to cut the sugar down to a tablespoon or two for a more savory bread.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon corn oil

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 3/4 cup rolled oats, not instant oats

  • 1/3 cup sugar

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

  • 1/2 cup water, more if needed

  • Unsalted butter, for garnish

  • Jam, for garnish

  • Syrup, for garnish

  • Honey, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Classic oat bannock bread
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  2. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Grease a pie plate with the oil.

    Grease a pie plate
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  3. Mix the flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl until well combined.

    Mix dry ingredients
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  4. Add the melted and cooled butter and stir just until mixed.

    Add butter
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  5. Add the 1/2 cup water and stir just until blended; don't overmix or the bread will be heavy. Small lumps are OK as long as the flour is absorbed into the dough.

    Add water
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  6. Place the dough on the pie plate. Lightly flour your hands and gently pat the dough evenly onto the plate.

    Place dough on pie plate
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  7. Score the dough into 8 wedges to make cutting easier when the bread is done.

    Score the dough
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  8. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until light golden brown and slightly darker around the edges.

    Bake in the oven
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  9. Cut into 8 pieces and serve with butter, jam, syrup, and honey.

    Cut into 8 pieces
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  10. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

  • This is a good recipe to use to teach kids how to bake, as the dough is simple to make and is just patted into a pie plate—there is no rolling or cutting. The texture is a bit like shortbread, and it's a perfect breakfast for kids and adults on the go. Also, consider serving it for dessert when you are in the mood for something that isn't too sweet.