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
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.
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.
Scottish Soda Bread aka Fife Bannock
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
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
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!
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
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.
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
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?
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
We can let the Irish take credit for “Irish soda bread” but Bannocks are way tastier with oats.
Scottish Soda Bread is best!
Hi Colin
Totally agree with you!
K
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.
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
How long will they take to cook if I make it into small rolls?
Sorry Helen,
I always make a loaf never rolls.
K
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
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