Centuries ago, survivalists and outdoorsmen learned to live in the wilderness, and they did so without the vast resources we now have available. Back then, they couldn’t just stroll into Wal-Mart and buy some Power Bars and Gatorade—they had to make survival food from simple ingredients. One such recipe is known as bannock bread.
Bannock is a form of quick bread, similar to a scone or biscuit. It’s usually composed of water, flour, and baking powder, although other ingredients and flavorings can be added. The ingredients are mixed together to form dough, and that dough may then be baked in an oven, heated on a flat rock, grilled, fried, or even cooked on a stick. This versatility makes it an easy food to whip up at a campsite—just carry a pre-mixed bag of flour and baking powder, and add water as needed.
For an excellent tutorial on how to make bannock bread, watch the video below from Black Owl Outdoors. The host uses a cast-iron skillet and a squeeze-bottle of cooking oil to pan-fry the dough into a golden-brown cake. He even added a little cinnamon and sugar to sweeten the mixture—sounds pretty mouthwatering, right?
As the host mentions, it’s easy to make this recipe your own by adding toppings or other ingredients. Here’s a quick list of some suggestions we’ve found:
- Salt and lard or oil (a traditional savory recipe)
- Dried raisins, cherries, cranberries, or blueberries
- Honey and oats
- Nuts and chocolate chips
- Diced dried meats, such as bacon bits
- Garlic and herbs
- Milk or cheese
You get the idea. The possibilities are endless, and you can make a different recipe every day with a handful of shelf-stable ingredients. This recipe is one to practice at home, so you can perfect it on your future journeys.
