Looking for a fun and traditional recipe that’s easy, versatile, and perfect for camping or cozy nights at home? Bannock on a stick is an old-fashioned favorite that you can make over a fire or in the oven. This rustic bread is quick to prepare, endlessly customizable, and a great way to get kids involved in cooking.
Whether you enjoy it plain or with add-ins like berries, cinnamon, or cheese, bannock on a stick is a recipe that never goes out of style.
Homemade bannock wrapped on stick over flames
Easy Bannock on a Stick Recipe – No Oven Needed
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup shortening (lard, butter, or hardened bacon grease (cut into cubes))
- 3/4 to 1 cup water
Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the fat (shortening, butter, etc.) using your hands or a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly with small pieces of fat throughout.
Camping Tip:
- You can pre-mix the dry ingredients and store them in a zip-top bag. Just add water when you’re ready to cook.
Add Water
- Slowly add 3/4 cup water to the flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Knead lightly, adding more water only if needed. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup shortening, lard, butter, or hardened bacon grease (cut into cubes)
- 3/4 to 1 cup water
Optional mix-ins: raisins, cinnamon, brown sugar, grated cheese, dried herbs (like basil or oregano), or even wild greens such as stinging nettle.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the fat (shortening, butter, etc.) using your hands or a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly with small pieces of fat throughout.
Camping Tip: You can pre-mix the dry ingredients and store them in a zip-top bag. Just add water when you’re ready to cook.
2. Add Water
Slowly add 3/4 cup water to the flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Knead lightly, adding more water only if needed. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
How to Make Bannock on a Stick
To cook bannock on a stick, take a ball of dough (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) and roll it into a rope. Wrap it around a green stick that’s about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick and has the bark removed from the top 6 inches.
Hold the stick over glowing coals—not direct flames—and rotate it often. It usually takes about 10 minutes to cook. Your bannock on a stick is ready when it slides off the stick easily, is golden brown, and cooked through.
How to Bake in the Oven
If you’re at home, press the dough into a greased cast iron skillet or baking dish. Bake at 450°F (230°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is fully cooked.
Serving Suggestions and Tips
- This recipe yields about 8–10 stick portions or one large round of baked bannock.
- Bannock on a stick is great served warm with butter, jam, or drizzled honey.
- For a savory twist, try adding shredded cheese or fresh herbs.
- Hardened bacon grease gives a smoky, savory flavor if used as the fat.
Why Make Bannock on a Stick?
Bannock on a stick is more than a recipe—it’s an experience. It’s perfect for camping trips, outdoor learning, or even backyard fires. Kids love making their own bread over the fire, and adults appreciate the nostalgia. With only a few ingredients and minimal tools, it’s an ideal go-to for rustic fun.
Call to Action:
Have you ever tried making bannock over a campfire? Leave a comment below and tell us how you like your bannock on a stick—sweet, savory, or something totally unique! Looking for more traditional recipes like this? Let us know and we’ll share more of our heritage favorites.
Homemade bannock wrapped on stick over flames
Easy Bannock on a Stick Recipe – No Oven Needed
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup shortening (lard, butter, or hardened bacon grease (cut into cubes))
- 3/4 to 1 cup water
Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the fat (shortening, butter, etc.) using your hands or a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly with small pieces of fat throughout.
Camping Tip:
- You can pre-mix the dry ingredients and store them in a zip-top bag. Just add water when you’re ready to cook.
Add Water
- Slowly add 3/4 cup water to the flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Knead lightly, adding more water only if needed. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
