Swedish Oat Tunnbröd (Flatbread) – A Perfect Snack for Young Athletes

When you’re balancing school, sports, and busy family life, it helps to have a quick, nutritious snack on hand. This Swedish classic, Tunnbröd (soft flatbread), is a staple in Scandinavian homes. It’s light yet filling—thanks to the oats—and can be made right on the stovetop without an oven.

In our family, these are a favorite between soccer games, at breakfast, or as a healthy after-school snack. They’re versatile too—fold them up with any topping your kids love. We usually enjoy ours with butter, cheese, and crisp cucumber slices.

Why Oats?

Adding oats to the dough gives these flatbreads extra fiber and slow-releasing energy, helping kids (and parents!) stay full and fueled longer—perfect for athletes.

Recipe: Swedish Oat Tunnbröd

Ingredients (makes about 14-16 flatbreads):

• 8 cups all-purpose flour (approx., start with 6 and add more as needed)

• 1 ⅔ cups rolled oats

• 2 tsp dry yeast

• 1 ½ tsp salt

• 2 cups milk (warm, about 110°F / 45°C)

• 2 tbsp melted butter

• 2 tbsp honey or agave syrup

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, dry yeast, and salt.

2. Warm milk gently and mix with melted butter and honey.

3. Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir and knead until soft and smooth (not sticky).

4. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

5. Divide dough into 14-16 balls.

6. Roll each ball out thinly with a regular rolling pin (kavel).

   • Then use a kruskavel (spiked rolling pin) to prick holes across the bread.

   • 👉 If you don’t have one, simply poke holes with a fork.

7. Fry each bread in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1–2 minutes per side until golden spots appear.

8. Serve warm and enjoy!

   
   

Serving Suggestions

• Classic Swedish Style: Butter + cheese + cucumber slices.

• Athlete’s Fuel: Turkey, avocado, and spinach.

• Kid-Friendly: Peanut butter + banana slices.

• Sweet Treat: Nut butter + honey or berries.

These can also be packed in lunch boxes or brought along to tournaments as a quick, energizing bite.

Tools That Help

To make authentic Tunnbröd, you’ll want to use a kruskavel (spiked rolling pin). If you don’t already have one, they’re available on Amazon:

👉 Get a Kruskavel Rolling Pin here 

Final Thoughts

This recipe is proof that homemade doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a batch of soft, flavorful flatbreads that kids love—and parents can feel good about.

Next time you need a post-practice snack or a healthy breakfast option, give these Swedish Oat Tunnbröd a try. They’ll quickly become a family favorite!

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