Brunch classics rarely change: pancakes, waffles, and French toast. You might mix it up with crepes or soufflés, but beyond those, there are only a few hearty, bready, and comforting breakfast staples that dominate the table. So when my editor passed along a vintage recipe for a hootenanny she had found, I was excited to give this breakfast prospect a try.
In the depths of the Old Recipes thread on Reddit, a user posted about “Nana’s Hootenanny,” their grandmother’s recipe scribbled in cursive on a worn index card. Many users replied, expressing excitement about trying this dish—and I was eager to make it too.
A hootenanny is an oven-baked breakfast that relies on just a few ingredients to create a fluffy, soufflé-like pancake or Dutch baby. You can top it with maple syrup and powdered sugar or enjoy it on its own.
The idea of this hootenanny sounds delicious, but before I got too excited, reality set in. I was about to try a five-ingredient recipe from a Reddit thread with no guarantee it would turn out edible. One user described it as “yummy,” but beyond that, I had no guidance.
Below, you’ll find my honest thoughts on this recipe along with a few tweaks to try if you decide to make it at home for your next brunch.
How To Make the Reddit-Famous Nana’s Hootenanny
Ashia Aubourg
Nana’s Hootenanny uses just five ingredients: eggs, milk, flour, and butter, plus a pinch of salt. Start by melting about 3 tablespoons of butter and using it to grease a 7×11 casserole dish. In a bowl, whisk together 6 eggs, 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of flour, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Then blend the ingredients to incorporate extra air into the batter (a suggestion from the user who shared the recipe). Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees F for 25 minutes, or until the hootenanny puffs up and the edges turn golden.
The recipe comes together in less than 5 minutes, letting the oven do most of the work. It felt much easier than monitoring a stove to flip dozens of pancakes or French toast. Pulling it from the oven was more exciting, too. The hootenanny nearly tripled in size, puffing up like a soufflé.
In terms of taste and texture, it reminded me of a crepe: eggy, thin, and delicate. The hootenanny serves as a blank canvas, taking on the flavors of whatever toppings you choose. It’s a simple recipe, but seeing it rise in the oven makes it a fun and impressive brunch dish.
How To Upgrade Nana’s Hootenanny
Ashia Aubourg
This simple recipe lets humble ingredients shine, especially when covered with maple syrup and powdered sugar. But with a few easy tweaks, you can take this brunch dish to the next level:
- Spice up the batter. Adding warm spices, much like French toast, brings extra flavor to this hootenanny. Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice for a warm, cozy touch.
- Add toppings. Brunch favorites shine with the right finishing touches. Top this hootenanny with homemade whipped cream, fresh fruit, or a drizzle of Nutella for extra appeal.
- Serve it right away. This hootenanny puffs up dramatically as it bakes, much like a soufflé. The height fades quickly, so enjoy it fresh out of the oven.
