Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8.5 x 4.5inch or 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with a little oil or vegan butter. Lay a rectangular strip of parchment paper down the middle, with enough to act as handles at each end to make removal easy once the bread is baked.

Step 2

To a large mixing bowl add the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt then whisk to combine.

Step 3

In another bowl add the milk, maple syrup/sugar and oil. Whisk them together.

Step 4

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir together gently. Mix until you can no longer see any dry flour but treat it gently and don't beat it hard or use an electric mixer. The batter will be of thick cake batter consistency.

Step 5

Spoon the batter into the prepared tin, scatter some oats over the top for decoration, and bake for 60 to 65 minutes until it's risen and golden and starting to come away from the edges of the pan. A toothpick or metal skewer inserted into the middle should come out clean. Cooking times vary depending on your oven and the pan you use so it might need a few minutes more or less.

Step 6

Lift the loaf out of the pan and place on a cooling rack. Tip it gently to the side to remove the parchment paper and allow to cool completely before cutting.