Staffordshire Oatcakes are a traditional savoury pancake from the North of England. You can top them with sweet or savoury toppings and have as a main meal, a snack, or for breakfast. There are a few different variations on oatcakes (Scottish, Derbyshire, Canadian) but they all have the same basic ingredients of oats, yeast and flour. The batter for Staffordshire Oatcakes does have to be made in advance as it has to be left for 1-2 hours for the yeast to develop. You can also leave it overnight in the fridge if you're having them for breakfast.
For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.
How to make Staffordshire Oatcakes
Use a food processor to grind normal porridge oats down until they have a finer texture Then in a large bowl, mix together the oats, wholemeal plain flour, plain flour, yeast and salt. In a jug mix the warm water and milk together, then pour it slowly into the flour mixture and whisk to form a batter. Cover the mixture with cling film and leave it for an hour until bubbles form on the surface.
Using a frying pan on a medium heat, cook the oatcakes for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown.
The Staffordshire Oatcakes were very delicious and filling. I would say two per serving along with toppings is plenty for the average person. It's nice to have something a bit different for breakfast, and they are so versatile as you can add different toppings depending on personal taste and dietary requirements. You also don't have to restrict them just to breakfast, they'd make a great evening meal or lunch too with vegetables and cheese. I hope you enjoy them!
Recommended equipment & ingredients*
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Ingredients
For the oatcakes
- 200 g Oats Ideally fine oatmeal, or use a food processor to grind down regular porridge oats for a finer texture
- 100 g Wholemeal plain flour
- 100 g Plain flour
- 7 g Sachet of fast action yeast
- ½ tsp Salt
- 400 ml Warm water
- 300 ml Milk (Cow's or plant milk will both work)
For the toppings - pick your favourite toppings, but I recommend...
- Cheese
- Mushrooms
- Veggie sausages or bacon
- Eggs
- Tomatoes
- Baked beans
Instructions
- You will need to make the oatcakes in advance as they need to sit for at least an hour before cooking
- Use a food processor to grind down the porridge oats for a minute or so. In a large bowl mix together the oats, wholemeal plain flour, plain flour, yeast and salt
- In another bowl stir the milk and warm water together
- Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture and whisk to form a batter. Cover with cling film and leave for 1-2 hours until bubbles form on the surface
- Prepare your toppings in the meantime
- Heat a pan on the hob at a medium heat, add a knob of butter, and it should sizzle and melt fairly quickly. Then add a ladle full of batter and cook the oatcakes for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown
- Keep making oatcakes until the batter runs out, adding butter to the pan before adding fresh batter
- Keep the cooked oatcakes warm either in the oven on a low heat, or covered with foil and a tea towel on a warmed plate
- If you are topping with cheese, you can melt it under the grill or in the pan on top of the oatcake when it the second side is cooking
- Serve immediately with warm toppings, they can be served flat or in a roll with the toppings inside
- The oatcakes on their own without toppings can be frozen with baking paper between each one
- You can also serve the oatcakes with sweet toppings like fresh fruit, maple syrup or Nutella!
Miss C Flash
Hi, I'm your new follower 🙂 xI recently brought some oatcakes when I was in Stoke on Trent, and stored in the freezer. I've heard that oatcakes are delicious, and your pictures certainly makes me want to defrost and eat. x
J Morris
Not the north of England. Staffordshire and Derbyshire are in the Midlands. And the Staffy oatcakes are different from the Scottish version, though just as delicious.
Kat (The Baking Explorer)
Hi, thanks for following! They are really tasty, hope you enjoy them and like them enjoy to try making your own next time 🙂
Julie Corbisiero
Hi, your recipe looks so good. I saw it on get him fed.
Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com
Kat (The Baking Explorer)
Hi Julie, thank you! It's a great versatile recipe and very filling perfect for a hungry man (or woman)!
Mandy Jilge
As a great fan of Stoke oatcakes I was delighted to see y our recipe, I wanted to impress my brother who lives in Stoke (family originally from Stoke) when he next visited me in Wales (I was born in Wales) and my goodness, he was impressed, thank you so much for ALL your delicious recipes they are a delight to bake x
thebakingexplorer
Thank you so much for such a lovely review Mandy! I'm so pleased you and your brother liked them!!