Easy Skillet Bannock: The Ultimate Lazyman’s Recipe for Quick & Comforting Bread

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home, especially when it requires minimal effort. This simple skillet bannock, affectionately known as the “Lazyman’s Bannock,” is designed for anyone craving warm, tender bread without the fuss of traditional baking. Imagine stirring up a batter that’s as easy as pancakes and, in no time, enjoying a delicious slab of bannock, perfect for slathering with butter, jam, or as a side to a hearty meal. It’s truly a game-changer for quick comfort food. (Jump to recipe.)

Embracing Simplicity After a Whirlwind Summer

Summers often fly by in a blur of activity, and this past one was no exception. We hosted dear friends from Germany, enjoyed a memorable family reunion, and spent cherished time with my mom and sisters at our beloved cabin. Each event, while wonderful, packed the days full, leaving little room for elaborate kitchen endeavors. Remember those childhood summers? Days stretched out endlessly, filled with the promise of play and boundless adventures. Now, as adults, days still brim with new experiences, yet they seem to blend into an ever-accelerating kaleidoscope of moments, making the need for simple, comforting routines all the more appealing.

Before we knew it, summer was drawing to a close. Among the highlights was a beautiful day canoeing on the North Saskatchewan River with our German guests, followed by an unexpected adventure of being stranded in an Edmonton subway station. We were waiting out a massive, flash-flooding thunderstorm—the kind where drivers had to be rescued from submerged cars by boat! Such experiences, while chaotic at the time, become part of the rich tapestry of life, making the return to everyday comforts even sweeter.

Our family reunion was particularly special, held at my uncle’s lakehouse two hours outside Kamloops, BC. This was the first reunion for my mom’s side of the family, celebrating 60 years since their arrival in Canada as German immigrants. Reconnecting with aunts, uncles, and cousins I hadn’t seen in years was incredibly heartwarming. We shared stories, laughed, and made fantastic new memories. Listening to the original immigrants recount their lives in Germany and their courageous journey across the ocean to start anew in this vast land filled me with immense pride for my amazing family. Such gatherings highlight the importance of heritage and the simple joy of breaking bread together.

The Tranquility of Francois Lake and the Comfort of Bannock

Following the reunion, a trip to our cabin at Francois Lake, one of my favorite places in the world, was a much-needed respite. My dad built this cabin, and every corner holds precious memories of him and the times we spent there with our children when they were young. It’s a place where time slows down, allowing for reflection and deep connection with nature and loved ones.

Bannock: A Beloved Canadian Tradition

Making bannock is a cherished tradition whenever we visit the cabin. It has become an integral part of our family’s gatherings, connecting us to a rich culinary heritage. My sister, Nancy, who teaches at an elementary school in Terrace, B.C., with a large Indigenous student population, has become our family’s unofficial “bannock queen.” Traditional Indigenous meals are a significant part of her school’s social events, and through her, we’ve learned to appreciate and master various bannock preparations.

Whether we wrap thick strips of bannock dough around green poplar sticks to roast over an open fire, or shape it into patties to fry in a cast iron skillet, we adore this dense yet flaky type of campfire biscuit. In a drawer at the cabin, we keep a bannock recipe pamphlet, filled with an array of traditional bannock recipes from British Columbia’s First Nations tribes. This pamphlet serves as a wonderful guide, reminding us of the deep cultural roots of this Canadian classic.

Nancy often whips up her go-to bannock, which she mixes by feel, without a precise recipe. She bakes it in a skillet, and we eagerly slather generous wedges with butter to accompany our meals. It’s always wonderfully flaky and utterly delicious. The experience of sharing warm, homemade bannock around a campfire or at the dinner table truly embodies the spirit of comfort and community.

Discovering the Lazyman’s Skillet Bannock: An Easy Favorite

Upon returning home from our summer adventures, I was inspired to try one of the bannock recipes I’d copied from that pamphlet – specifically, a “lazyman’s” version. To my delight, it turned out beautifully, even when made with gluten-free flour, and was incredibly quick and easy to whip up. This recipe yields a bannock with a slightly different texture than traditional versions; it’s moister and softer, almost like a firm pancake, yet still a fantastic vehicle for melting butter. And really, isn’t that the whole point of a good bread?

I immediately knew this easy skillet bannock would become a new favorite in our home. It’s perfect for those busy evenings when I make a pot of homemade soup and need a quick, satisfying bread to go with it. Its simplicity makes it ideal for everyday enjoyment, eliminating any hesitation about baking from scratch.

I’m a big fan of anything labeled “Lazy Man’s” because it usually guarantees efficiency without sacrificing flavor. This recipe certainly delivers on that promise. Serve it warm straight from the oven, generously slathered with butter, or elevate it further with a dollop of your favorite jam for a delightful breakfast or snack. It’s comfort food at its finest, made accessible for even the busiest schedules.

I confess, I’m a bit of a bannock enthusiast! I already have two other recipes on this site: one for traditional bannock and another for pan-fried bannock biscuits. But I simply can’t get enough of this versatile Canadian classic. Now that I’ve added this incredibly easy skillet recipe to my repertoire, I might just become even more bannock-obsessed!

 * * * * *

Kitchen Frau Notes for Perfect Skillet Bannock:

This version of bannock truly lives up to its “Lazyman’s” name – it’s incredibly simple to make. The process involves just rubbing the butter or lard into the dry ingredients, then stirring everything together much like you would for a pancake batter. While this particular batter isn’t suitable for wrapping around a stick, it bakes beautifully in an oven or even over a grate set above the glowing, hot, burned-down coals of a campfire. When cooking over an open fire, remember that baking time will vary significantly depending on the heat of your fire. You’ll know your skillet bannock is done when it springs back gently when pressed with a finger in the center, or if a clean straw inserted into the middle comes out with only dry crumbs sticking to it.

For convenience, especially when camping or traveling, you can prepare the dry mix in advance. Simply rub the butter or lard into the flour mixture and store it in a sealed plastic bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, just add the water or milk, mix it up, and cook. This pre-prep method makes whipping up fresh bannock anywhere a breeze.

I’ve successfully tested the gluten-free version of this recipe using my own homemade gluten-free flour mix, and it consistently produces a light and fluffy result. It’s important to note that while the gluten-free version tastes fantastic, it tends not to brown as much on top as its wheat flour counterpart. However, when made with regular wheat flour, this skillet bannock browns beautifully to a golden color, adding to its appealing presentation.

Lazyman Skillet Bannock Recipe

Adapted from Thelma Blackstock’s recipe in Bannock Awareness, a pamphlet ‘Printed in Celebration of Aboriginal Awareness Day, June 21, 2006’ by British Columbia Forest Service.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (280gms) all-purpose flour OR 2¼ cups (315gms) gluten-free flour mix
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup cold butter or lard
• 1 cup (240ml) milk (or your preferred plant-based non-dairy milk)
• 1 cup (240ml) water
• Additional butter or lard for greasing the pan

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Liberally grease a 10-inch (25cm) cast iron skillet with butter or lard. Alternatively, you can use an 8 or 9-inch square glass baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour (or gluten-free flour mix), baking powder, and salt.
4. Add the cold butter or lard to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips, rub the fat into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse oatmeal or small pea-sized flakes. This step is crucial for achieving a tender texture.
5. Pour in the milk and water. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until all the flour is completely moistened. The batter will still look slightly lumpy, which is perfectly normal for this style of bannock. Do not overmix.
6. Carefully pour the batter into your prepared skillet or baking pan, spreading it evenly.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center of the bannock springs back when gently pressed with a finger. The edges should be golden brown (less so for gluten-free versions).
8. *For Campfire Cooking: Ensure your wood fire has burned down significantly to hot coals. Place the greased skillet on a grate set over these hot coals. The cooking time will vary greatly depending on the intensity of your fire and how far the skillet is positioned from the heat source. Monitor closely to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
9. Once baked, let the bannock cool slightly in the pan. Cut it into wedges or squares and serve warm. For a truly indulgent experience, split each bannock biscuit horizontally and spread generously with butter as a delicious side dish, or with butter and jam for a comforting breakfast or satisfying snack.

This recipe serves approximately 8 to 9 people.

*Note: The accompanying photos in this post are of the gluten-free version of this skillet bannock. As is typical with goods made from gluten-free flour, they generally do not brown as deeply when baked. However, rest assured, they taste just as wonderful! I have also made a batch with regular wheat flour, and it does achieve a more golden, appealing color when baked.

Guten Appetit! Enjoy your meal!

If you enjoy my recipes and cooking adventures, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. Your support would truly make my day!

You might also like these easy and comforting recipes:

Homemade Gluten Free Pancake Mix

Easy Biscuits

Traditional Bannock

Pan-Fried Bannock Biscuits

Other Posts about the Francois Lake Cabin & Campfire Cooking:

Nature’s Gifts: Fresh Trout, Morels and a side of Bannock

Rich Creamy Succotash – a Fava Bean and Corn Delight (and a trip to the lake)

End of Summer at the Cabin, and Finally – Bannock Biscuits

Campfire Baked Potatoes and a Glorious Lazy Week at the Cabin

Juniper Berry & Raisin Stuffed Pork Chops over the Campfire