27 seriously stunning Scottish recipes worth making this Burns Night and beyond

Great Scottish recipes to try at home

Proving that there's much more to Scottish cuisine than deep-fried Mars bars and haggis (though those feature in our collection too), these delicious dishes cover all the bases, whether you’re celebrating Burns Night on 25 January or just looking for a new recipe to try. From classic tattie scones and flavour-packed fish dishes to creamy, fruity desserts, prepare to add some Celtic charm to your culinary repertoire.

Read on to discover 27 Scottish recipes everyone will love, counting down to the most delicious of all. 

27. Cheddar fisherman's pie

This rich fisherman’s pie from top Scottish chef and restauranteur Tom Kitchin is a comforting dish that'll feed the whole family. Take your fish of your choice, mix it with a creamy béchamel sauce, then top it with cheesy mashed potatoes for a truly sumptuous meal. Serve bubbling hot from the oven with plenty of green vegetables.

Get the recipe for Cheddar fisherman’s pie here

26. Clootie dumpling

A clootie dumpling is a traditional Scottish dessert made with dried fruits and a suet pastry dough, similar to a fruit pudding. The dough is formed into a round shape, wrapped in a cloth – a clootie – and then boiled for several hours. Slice and serve with a generous splash of vanilla custard for a wonderfully comforting treat.

Get the recipe for clootie dumpling here

25. Cheddar bites with apple and hazelnuts

Renowned Scottish chef Tom Kitchin is the brain behind these Cheddar bites – delicious, pastry-wrapped cheesy pockets that make brilliant party snacks. Simply mix apples with Cheddar and hazelnuts, spoon the mixture into squares of filo pastry, then roll them up and bake. Top tip: make a double batch. You won't regret it.

Get the recipe for Cheddar bites with apple and hazelnuts here

24. Oatcakes

Made from a simple mixture of Scottish oats, flour and butter, these traditional Scottish oatcakes are incredibly easy to whip up at home – just stir the ingredients together, roll out the dough, cut it into wedges, then bake for 20 minutes. Rustic and nutty, they're best enjoyed with a chunk of tangy cheese, a drizzle of sweet heather honey or a spoonful of jam.

Get the recipe for Scottish oatcakes here

23. Spiced kedgeree gratin

Kedgeree may have roots in colonial India, but it’s a deliciously spiced dish that Scotland has welcomed with open arms. This recipe comes loaded with Scottish smoked haddock, hard-boiled eggs and a mix of fresh herbs and dried spices to create a flavour-packed finish. Serve dressed with more leafy herbs and wedges of lemon.

Get the recipe for spiced kedgeree gratin here  

22. Cheddar cheese soufflé with smoked salmon

This light-as-air soufflé is a brilliant recipe from Scottish chef Tom Kitchin. While the prospect of making a soufflé may be intimidating and seem tricky to execute, this impressive-looking dish is surprisingly easy to whip up at home – and it uses strong Cheddar and Scottish smoked salmon, so you know it's going to taste delicious.

Get the recipe for Cheddar cheese soufflé with smoked salmon here

21. Dundee cake

Dundee cake is a traditional Scottish fruit cake crowned with a beautiful arrangement of blanched almonds. Rich and zesty, it's the perfect treat to have with a cup of tea or coffee. Some believe the cake was first made for Mary, Queen of Scots back in the 16th century. Whether or not that's true, it certainly has the royal seal of approval – the tasty bake was famously a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Get the recipe for Dundee cake here

20. Deep-fried Mars bar

The craze for deep frying Mars bars took off in Scottish chip shops during the 1990s – and while the sweet snack is rather indulgent, it really is delicious. If you feel like trying it at home, all you'll need is a chilled Mars bar and some batter. Make the batter by mixing 4.5oz (125g) plain flour, 6 tbsp cornflour and a pinch of bicarbonate of soda, then add soda water or beer until the batter is the consistency of cream. Dip your cold Mars bar in the batter, deep fry until golden – and enjoy. There should be enough batter for a few bars.

19. Scottish chicken and leek soup

This classic Scottish dish marries together tenderly cooked chicken with flavour-packed leeks, and the result is simply stunning. The soup is infused with the subtle sweetness of prunes and is made all the heartier with the addition of rice. This recipe comes together in just an hour and can be served with a sprinkle of chopped parsley to add a touch of freshness.

Get the recipe for Scottish chicken and leek soup here  

18. Vegan haggis

Plant-based versions of haggis are readily available – but it's way more fun to make it at home. This surprisingly easy recipe uses lentils and barley to replicate haggis' crumbly texture and keeps the traditional blend of spices that makes the dish unique. For a tasty meal, serve it with neeps and tatties (mashed swede and potatoes) on the side.

Get the recipe for vegan haggis here

17. Smoked salmon fish cakes

It's no wonder Scotland is famous for its salmon – the icy, crystal-clear waters of the North Atlantic provide the perfect environment for the fish to thrive. If you can get hold of Scottish salmon, try these fish cakes for a fabulous dinner party starter or light midweek meal. They combine smoked salmon with trout and horseradish to delicious effect.

Get the recipe for smoked salmon fish cakes here

16. Beef olives

A sumptuous, slow-cooked dish, beef olives consist of thinly sliced steak wrapped around sausage meat, black pudding or haggis. The parcels are braised in gravy with onion and vegetables for a couple of hours. Incredibly warming and comforting, this recipe is perfect for a hearty, comforting meal.

Get the recipe for beef olives here

15. Cullen skink

Soothing and satisfying, Cullen skink is a traditional Scottish soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. It's luxuriously thick and creamy in texture – and the sweetness of the onions and potatoes balances the smoky flavour of the haddock perfectly. Best of all, it can be whipped up in well under an hour, and you'll only need a few easy-to-find ingredients to make it.

Get the recipe for Cullen skink here

14. Maple-cured salmon canapés

A wonderful way to prepare Scottish salmon is to cure it – a fairly easy preserving process that takes the flavour of the fish to the next level. This six-hour cured salmon is infused with maple syrup, which adds a subtle sweetness that intensifies as it cures. Plate it up as a starter with lemon, dill and sour cream, or serve as a canapé on squares of buttered brown bread.

Get the recipe for maple-cured salmon canapés here

13. Ice cream cranachan sundae

This delicious ice cream cranachan sundae recipe was dreamt up by innovative British chef Heston Blumenthal. Irresistibly fruity, boozy and creamy, it's topped with a tongue-tingling assortment of meringue, caramelised oats and popping candy, making it a seriously decadent way to end a meal. You can personalise it with your favourite whisky, if you like.

Get the recipe for ice cream cranachan sundae here

12. Rumbledethumps

Similar to English bubble and squeak, Scottish rumbledethumps might be made from simple ingredients, but the taste is sensational. To make yours, boil 1lb 5oz (600g) chopped potatoes and 14oz (400g) swede in salted water until tender, then drain. While these are cooking, heat 2oz (50g) butter and sauté 9oz (250g) Savoy cabbage until softened, then combine with the potatoes and swede. Add 1oz (25g) butter and mash together, seasoning generously. Place the mashed ingredients in an ovenproof dish, top with a handful of Cheddar and bake in a medium oven until golden brown and crispy on top.

11. Cheddar potato scones

Perfect for parties, these tasty nibbles – created by celebrated Scottish chef Tom Kitchin – are a fancy take on homemade potato scones (or tattie scones, as they're commonly known in Scotland). Try serving them with Scottish smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and a few slices of mature Cheddar for maximum wow factor.

Get the recipe for Cheddar potato scones here

10. Tipsy laird

A British classic that features the very best Scottish flavours, this raspberry-and-custard trifle packs a delicious punch of honey liqueur, both in its sponge base and its creamy topping. Easy and fairly speedy to make, tipsy laird is the perfect dessert to prep ahead when you're hosting a dinner party. Whether you decide to go for individual servings or one big centrepiece is up to you.

Get the recipe for tipsy laird here

9. Baked scallops with chipotle butter

Scottish scallops are prized for their sweet, delicate flavour and firm texture and they're often served seared or pan-fried. For a modern twist on scallops that's guaranteed to impress your dinner guests, try baking them with chipotle butter. This dish only takes 15 minutes to make, but it looks fantastic – you'll feel like a master chef serving it up.

Get the recipe for baked scallops with chipotle butter here

8. Classic cranachan

Cranachan is a creamy, fruity delight that's traditionally made by layering whipped cream, whisky, toasted oats and fresh berries in a glass. The oats are toasted in the oven to give them a nutty flavour, before being steeped in whisky to create a rich, satisfying texture. The beauty is in the presentation, with delicate layers of red fruits, cream and oats.

Get the recipe for traditional Scottish cranachan here

7. Maple and whisky–glazed poached lobster

For a main to remember, try this maple and whisky–glazed poached lobster. The luxurious recipe was created by Scottish chef Peter McKenna, chef director and co-owner of The Gannet – an AA 3-Rosette restaurant in Glasgow with a menu inspired by seasonal, local produce. Utterly irresistible, the lobster is enriched with the mouthwatering aromas of Scottish whisky and smoked butter.

Get the recipe for maple and whisky–glazed poached lobster

6. Chicken Balmoral

Looking for a delicious, modern Scottish recipe that features haggis? Try chicken Balmoral. Simply stuff chicken breasts with haggis, wrap in bacon or ham, then bake or grill until juicy and tender. The dish is named after Balmoral Castle, the British royal family's Scottish residence, and is an elegant yet easy meal that tastes fantastic served with gravy and mashed potatoes.

5. Haggis, neeps and tatties

Perhaps the most famous Scottish dish of all, haggis, neeps (swede) and tatties (potatoes) is often served as the main course at a Burns Night supper. The savoury pudding is made by mixing sheep offal with oats, onions, coriander, pepper and nutmeg, and the whole thing traditionally comes encased in a sheep's stomach. While it may not sound like the most appetising dish, it's a true Scottish delicacy, with a wonderfully crumbly texture and the perfect mix of peppery spices.

Get the recipe for haggis, neeps and tatties here

4. Shortbread with roasted plums

Buttery, light and utterly delicious, shortbread is one of Scotland’s best-loved biscuits, and it’s largely thanks to Mary, Queen of Scots for popularising the teatime treat during the 16th century. It’s believed the royal loved petticoat tails, a classic triangular style of shortbread speckled with caraway seeds. Our shortbread recipe, however, is a simple bake using just unsalted butter, salt, caster sugar, plain flour and cornflour – and the result is mouthwateringly good. Enjoy the biscuits on their own, or whip up an easy roasted plum accompaniment and serve with crème fraîche.

Get the recipe for shortbread with roasted plums here  

3. Scotch pancakes

Also known as drop scones, Scotch pancakes are smaller and thicker than traditional pancakes, making them perfect for a snack, breakfast or dessert. They're great topped with a dollop of cream, drizzle of custard or loaded up with plenty of berries – use frozen, or whatever's in season. So simple yet so delicious, these fluffy delights come together in under 30 minutes.

Get the recipe for Scotch pancakes here

2. Cranachan cheesecake

Take a traditional Scottish dish and bring it bang up to date with this tempting cranachan cheesecake recipe. As you might guess, it combines all the flavours of classic cranachan (raspberries, rolled oats and plenty of cream) in stunning cheesecake form, and it comes with a boozy kick of Drambuie, a sweet Scotch whisky liqueur.

Get the recipe for cranachan cheesecake here

1. Haggis croquettes with whisky sauce

For a modern twist on classic haggis, try these ultra-crispy croquettes. Coated in paprika and panko breadcrumbs and served with a whisky-mayonnaise dip, this shareable starter is an easy way to incorporate a touch of haggis into your meal without making it the centrepiece. You can make it using vegetarian haggis, too, so it's a dish everyone at the table can enjoy.

Get the recipe for haggis croquettes with whisky sauce here

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Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.