Super Easy Traditional Scottish Oatcakes

The humble oatcake is something of a tradition here in Scotland. The cracker of choice with cheese and just as at home with jam or beside a bowl of soup. This recipe is for my super easy traditional Scottish oatcakes really takes the biscuit!

Oatcakes have been a staple of the Scottish diet for centuries. They used to be kept buried in oatmeal in a gimel (meal chest) to keep them fresh. You don’t have to go as far as that nowadays. Just keep these super easy Scottish oatcakes in the biscuit tin.

Oatcakes are healthy!

Oats are packed with two types of fibre, both soluble and insoluble fibre which means they help to promote healthy digestion and keep you fuller for longer.
Oatcakes have a high mineral content especially manganese and phosphorous and are excellent for maintaining energy levels. They also have a low glycaemic index  and oats are naturally gluten free

Ingredients for oatcakes

You don’t need many ingredients to make these super easy Scottish oatcakes, just five ingredients and that includes a few spoonfuls of water.

• 225g medium or fine grade oatmeal
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 6 tbsp hot water
• pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter

How to make oatcakes

• Preheat oven to 160C and grease and line a baking tray
• Put all your dry ingredients into a nice big bowl and make a well in the centre
• Add the melted butter and start adding the water a little at a time, bring the ingredients together to form a stiff paste then dough
• Knead the dough into a ball and wrap in clingfilm and pop into the fridge to chill for half an hour
• Flour your work surface and roll out the dough till it is 2mm thick and cut out rounds either with a pastry cutter or a handy glass (remember to drink the wine first!)
• Place on the prepared baking tray and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes till golden then allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Alternative cooking method

You can also bake your oatcakes in the old Scottish way on a girdle (or griddle) or even a heavy based frying pan. Or on the simmering plate of your trusty Aga or Everhot. Cook for about 3 minutes.

You’ll know when they are ready when the edges start to curl up a little. Now rub the tops with a little more oatmeal and pop under the grill to crisp them up and brown the tops.

What to eat with oatcakes

Serve these super easy Scottish oatcakes with cheese as part of a cheeseboard, with butter and jam, honey or marmalade or just on their won with a bowl of soap.

I like them as a snack instead of crisps (chips) and dip them into any of my favourite dips from Tzatziki to Salsa.

I’ve even been known to just have a plain oatcake and a square of dark chocolate when I feel the urge for a choccie treat with a coffee.

These super easy Scottish oatcakes are perfect pantry staples. Check out my 50 Homemade Pantry Staples article for loads of ideas for making your own store cupboard basics.

Oh and here are some other fun oaty bakes for you to try too;

Salt and Pepper Oatcakes

3 ingredient oat and peanut butter cookies(+Video!)

Oat and almond crumble crackers

3 ingredient oatmeal pancakes

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.

PS I made this recipe originally for my cookbook Simply Scottish Cakes & Bakes. Well you can”t really have a Scottish cookbook without doing oatcakes can you.