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Home » Home Baking » The Easiest Scottish Soda Bread Recipe

The Easiest Scottish Soda Bread Recipe

Author: Karon Grieve Published : April 2020

Recipe
Scottish soda bread by larderlove

The Fife bannock is a traditional bread of Scotland. I like to think of it as Scottish soda bread. This is the perfect wee recipe for quick and easy bread that requires no yeast or rising time, contains basic pantry ingredients and kids can make it with you.

Scottish soda bread by larderlove

 Scottish Soda Bread

Bread may well be the staff of life. But it was the humble bannock that fed the Scottish nation for a great many years.

Bannocks

Unlike bread, bannocks can be ‘baked’ on the hob as opposed to the oven. So even armies on the move could rustle up their ‘daily bread’ whilst on the move.

Bannocks are very similar in makeup to oatcakes. But they are much lighter and more like bread in texture. They are in fact a soda bread. Once tasted I’m quite sure bannocks will become part of your baking repertoire.

Scottish soda by larderlove

Easy no yeast bread

There is no yeast involved in making a Fife Bannock (or Scottish Soda Bread). Instead, good old Bicarbonate of Soda is used as your raising agent. You also do not need to leave this dough to rise. This Scottish soda bread packed with healthy oats is therefore a quick way to make bread.

Can you use plain flour to make soda bread?

I always make this simple Scottish soda bread using plain flour. However, if you want to use a mix of wholemeal flour or just use all wholemeal flour then that’s fine too.

I wouldn’t use bread flour for soda bread though.

Can you make soda bread in a pan on the hob?

You have a choice with this wee recipe. Either bake the soda bread in the oven at 180C for about 15 minutes on a baking tray or bake on a griddle/girdle (aka a heavy-based frying pan) on the hob until browned on either side.

How long will it keep?

This Scottish soda bread/Fife Bannock will keep for a couple of days wrapped in baking parchment/cling film.

Will it freeze?

Yes. You can freeze your Scottish soda bread/Fife Bannock wrapped in baking parchment and cling film for up to three months.

This is another pantry staple recipe. Check out my 50 Homemade Pantry Staples for more great ideas on things you can easily be making at home.

This recipe is from my book Simply Scottish Cakes & Bakes as the Fife Bannock.

Finally, if you do try this recipe don’t forget to leave a comment/star rating below as I just love to hear from readers. Want more Larder Love? Then follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter and sign up for my newsletter too of course.

Photos And Tips AboveMost of my recipes have step by step photos and useful tips plus videos too, see above.
Fife bannock by larderlove

Scottish Soda Bread aka Fife Bannock

Karon Grieve
A Fife Bannock is a form of yeast free soda bread and is super easy to make either on the hob or in the oven
4.91 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Comment Bookmark Saved! Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course baking
Cuisine Scottish
Servings 4
Calories 175 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 165 g plain flour
  • 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 115 g medium oatmeal
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • buttermilk or natural yogurt as required
Metric – US Customary

Instructions
 

  • preheat oven to 180C if using and grease a baking tray
  • Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar, salt and sugar into a large bowl
  • Add the oatmeal and mix well and rub in the butter
  • Add as much of the buttermilk or plain yogurt as you require to form a dough
  • Turn dough out on to a lightly floured surface and knead briefly
  • Pat it into a round shape and press down till it is about 1cm thick all over and make a deep cross to form quarters
  • If baking place on prepared baking tray and into oven for approximately 15 minutes or until golden and a skewer comes out clean
  • If using the hob place your bannock either in a hot girdle/griddle or in a flying pan (or hotplate of Aga) and brown on underside the turn over and do the other side
  • cool on a wire rack

Notes

You can make this simple soda bread either on the hob in a heavy-based pan or in the oven.
I use plain flour for this recipe though you could use a mix of plain and wholewheat flour if you prefer.

Nutrition

Calories: 175kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 288mgPotassium: 126mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gCalcium: 13mgIron: 2mg
My Top Tips*Always read the full recipe first. *Assemble all your ingredients and everything you need before you start. *For baking check the size of tins I’m using as this makes a big difference to your cakes. * I use medium sized eggs unless otherwise stated. * I use extra virgin olive oil unless otherwise stated. * I use unsalted butter unless otherwise stated. * Check out My Preserving Kit!
Tried this recipe?Mention @LarderLove or tag #LarderLove

Filed Under: ALL RECIPES, Home Baking, Scottish Recipes

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Comments

  1. Flo McGuire says

    April 3, 2020 at 3:01 pm

    We like to use whole grains. Would this work with whole-wheat pastry flour? or white whole wheat flour? in place of the plain flour?

    Even though we are vegan I LOVE your recipes, they are so unique and tasty!
    (I think I would try substituting applesauce for the butter, also)

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      April 4, 2020 at 3:40 pm

      Hi Flo,
      I’d use whatever flour you have to hand. This is quite a forgiving recipe. Let me know how you get on using the apple sauce.
      K x

      Reply
  2. Kirsty Maidment says

    February 27, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    5 stars
    I have tried this recipe a couple of times now, it’s fabulous! Tried it as a bread, and the second time as small rolls. Perfect with a soup or casserole. Easy to make and tastes wonderful. Will definitely be making it again.

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      March 1, 2021 at 9:14 am

      Hi Kirsty
      Glad this is now one of your favourite go-to recipes. Totally agree, you just can’t beat soda bread with soup or a casserole.
      K

      Reply
  3. Johana says

    March 12, 2021 at 4:14 pm

    Hi, I would like to ask if I can make this recipe gluten free, dairy free.?
    Doing that is it going to raise? if it doesn’t, how can you make it fluffy?

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      March 14, 2021 at 9:51 am

      Hi Johana
      Standard soda bread isn’t a gluten-free, dairy-free recipe in itself. I haven’t actually made a variety that fits what you’re looking for so I’m afraid I can’t help, sorry.
      K

      Reply
  4. Colin MacKenzie says

    April 18, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    5 stars
    We can let the Irish take credit for “Irish soda bread” but Bannocks are way tastier with oats.
    Scottish Soda Bread is best!

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      April 19, 2021 at 11:29 am

      Hi Colin
      Totally agree with you!
      K

      Reply
  5. Anna says

    January 31, 2022 at 12:31 pm

    4 stars
    We made this recipe for our Burns Night celebration using gluten-free flour and another batch using almond flour. The batch with the gluten-free flour turned out great, but sadly, the bannock with the almond flour wasn’t very good at all. We should have known that having all of the oatmeal required was going to prevent us from having a chance to make the meal keto, but we figured we’d give it a try. I hope this comment will help others avoid making the mistake we did. Enjoy the recipe with regular flour or gluten-free flour.

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      January 31, 2022 at 3:24 pm

      Hi Anna
      I haven’t tried making this as you did with almond flour. Would suggest anyone looking for keto recipes look at sites dedicated to those recipes. Not my field I’m afraid.
      K

      Reply
  6. Helen says

    January 19, 2023 at 2:12 pm

    How long will they take to cook if I make it into small rolls?

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      January 20, 2023 at 9:14 am

      Sorry Helen,
      I always make a loaf never rolls.
      K

      Reply
  7. Carla Willetto says

    March 19, 2023 at 5:17 pm

    My first try came out acceptably. Nice texture, very mild not-quite-bland. I flattened to just over 1cm. Came out looking very differently than your photo…
    Hoping to work this out for a crowd of 70 curlers!
    file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/dd/13/63BF20CC-1A7B-44B3-997F-756D18600F7C/70088521767__8EDA37E3-F934-4E1C-BD7D-CA5616E60DB6.HEIC

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      March 22, 2023 at 2:02 pm

      Hi Carla
      You cannot upload photos onto this comments area. Sorry yours didn’t come out looking like mine. I used this recipe and that is how mine turned out.
      K

      Reply
  8. Kristina says

    March 25, 2024 at 10:02 pm

    May I use this recipe with Scottish oatmeal?

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      March 26, 2024 at 10:35 am

      Hi Kristina
      Medium oatmeal is Scottish oatmeal.
      K

      Reply
      • Kristina says

        March 26, 2024 at 9:17 pm

        Ahhh, thank you!!!!

        Reply
4.91 from 10 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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