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No yeast? No bread flour? No problem!

Being stuck at home under lockdown has brought out our amateur ‘boulanger’ here at Rustik. So many of us want to bake, in fact, that flour and yeast are among the grocery items sold out at supermarkets around the country.

Never fear, budding bread makers! There are still loads of options out there, from ethnic treats like naan to sweet treats like banana bread.

What to bake if you don’t have yeast

Soda bread: This traditional Irish bread gets its leavening from the interaction of buttermilk and baking soda. (Note: If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice into a cup of regular milk and let stand for 5 minutes.)

Flatbreads: Naan is so easy to make you’ll kick yourself for not trying it before! While some recipes call for yeast it can also easily be made without. This Jamie Oliver recipe only calls for three ingredients. (Note: If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make this recipe with regular flour but just add a pinch more baking powder.)

Scones: Scones! You should be baking these even if you have plenty of yeast in the house. Why? Because scones are delicious, versatile and so easy to whip together. Make them sweet or savory, big or small. Have them with tea, with soup, we promise they won’t stick around long. We like this recipe from King Arthur Flour, which offers lots of variations.

Biscuits: A classic American biscuit is a bit like a scone, but not quite. The outside should develop a nice crust while the inside is tender and flaky. These are not easy to master the first time around, but hey… you’ve got time now, right?

Crackers: Homemade wheat thins, homemade cheezits, homemade ritz crackers. Some crackers are super-easy to make, others take some more skill. But the results are truly satisfying. A great way to get kids to start baking, too.

Bannock: This elder-approved recipe is a pretty standard approach to one of the most universal breads found around the world. You can also try this Mi’kmaq luskinikn, which is super simple and really delicious.

What to bake if you don’t have flour

Google ‘bread recipe no flour’ and you’ll get a lot of keto or gluten-free recipes that call for things like xantham gum and psyllium husk. If you forgot to stock up on such ‘necessities’ before going into isolation, here are a few alternatives. Maybe try these potato drop scones, which would go nicely with a warm soup or stew. This banana bread recipe calls for ripe bananas and rolled oats, plus baking soda and maple syrup – delicious! If your store happens to have rye flour but no white flour, take a shot at this Swedish rye bread which uses baking soda, baking powder and yogurt but no yeast.

Or just forget the bread and go for a flourless almond cake or chocolate torte. Calories don’t count during a global pandemic, right?

Ready? Set? Get baking and share your experiences!

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