This might be the easiest no-yeast homemade bread you’ll ever make. And so tasty! It’s ready in an hour, you can cut it warm, and it won’t get all pasty as regular bread. Eat it toasted with a slab of butter, soups, stews, or simply plain, almost straight from the oven.
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This is a bread I ate a lot growing up regularly, not just for St. Patrick's Day.
The original recipe is from my Irish great-grandmother, and it was a list of ingredients with no definite measurements.
So yes, it took several attempts to get a rustic bread with the tender crumb I wanted. But here it is, and it’s so good!
But, similar to the scones recipe my very Irish ascendant also used to make, nobody in the family has her recipe. So, being the nerd I am, I set myself to recreate it.
A very easy recipe with tips to make your soda bread-making a breeze!
Why this recipe works:
- Easy: it’s ridiculous how easy this is if we consider the result. A snap to prepare, really.
- Texture: for such a quick bread with no yeast, the crumb is soft yet rustic at the same time with a nice crust.
- Ready in 1 hour: the longest part is baking, of course, but since it can be cut (and eaten!) while still warm, the time frame is considerably less than with regular yeast bread, like the Semolina Bread recipe, for example.
- Flavorings: you can add herbs or spices (caraway seeds are very traditional) or even some grated cheese, depending on your use.
Ingredients
Making this recipe takes four simple ingredients; they're all important.
- Baking soda: it’s called soda bread for a reason, which means this ingredient is essential to make the bread rise, so make sure it’s active and working. Arm & Hammer baking soda is a popular one. If in doubt, put a half teaspoon in a little water. It should foam or bubble immediately. If it doesn't, buy fresh, and don't use the old for baking.
- Buttermilk: is the acid ingredient that will counteract the metal flavor of the baking soda (a chemical reaction). For example, if you use whole milk, the bread will rise, but the flavor will be more metallic. I did that years ago, and it was not good. What if you don't have buttermilk? You can buy buttermilk powder and prepare it as you need to. And the recipe for homemade buttermilk is in the Notes section of the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Flour: all-purpose or bread flour can be used. Flour compositions vary worldwide, so sometimes I use cake flour and bread flour (about ¼ of the total) to give it a spongier texture.
- Salt: I like to use kosher salt when baking. But regular table salt works just fine.
How to make Irish soda bread
Making this bread is very easy, and you only need a bowl and a wooden spoon.
Have all ingredients measured and ready and the oven turned on.
Dry ingredients: sift the flour with salt and baking soda in a large bowl. It's important to sift the soda as it can be clumpy and won't dissolve during baking.
Add the buttermilk to the flour mixture above, all at once. Mix with a wooden spoon just until it's all moistened. Don't overmix or beat the mixture.
Form the loaf: place the shaggy mass on a floured surface and sprinkle with extra flour.
Fold it onto itself a couple of times until you have a round loaf that holds together but is not smooth or firm. This is important. If you work the dough much or add flour until it's firm, the bread will be hard. Watch the video below for guidance. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured baking sheet.
Make a cross on the bread dough with a sharp knife. Don't make it too deep, about ¾ of an inch deep is fine. Since the dough is wobbly, the cut will not be perfect, which is fine.
Step-by-step video
Baking soda bread
- Oven temperature: ensure the oven is preheated at the recipe's specified temperature (high temperature). This is important because it needs that first heat boost to rise well.
- Color: it will bake to a beautiful golden brown. If the top is browning too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil and keep baking until it's done.
- When is the bread done? This traditional Irish soda bread needs to be fully baked inside, of course. So don't guide yourself only by the color of the crust, but carefully lift the center with a fork and check that there are no wet parts, similar to what I recommend when making a cobbler with a biscuit topping.
Kitchen notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperature, equipment, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier.
- Baking time: remember that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look similar. The baking time in my recipes is as accurate as it can be, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer(like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is at the right temperature. I recommend you keep track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust.
- Ingredients: don't substitute them; they are all necessary for the best results.
- Sift the baking soda: it tends to harden when stored, and you will probably find clumps when you measure it. Sifting before adding it to the flour will ensure it's well integrated. This is very important, so don't skip it.
- Don't overwork the dough: another important step as it doesn't need to be kneaded but formed into a loose ball. If you mix it or knead it a lot, it will develop the gluten in the flour and toughen the baked bread.
- Eat it the day it's baked: within the first hours if possible. I strongly recommend this. This no-yeast bread hardens quickly. If you want to freeze it, do so while still barely warm and wrap it well in plastic first and then in foil. I also recommend you slice it first to have individual toast whenever you want.
- Flour mixture: you can use part whole-wheat flour (make sure it's superfine for the best texture), about ⅓ of the total amount. I use all-white flour (all-purpose or bread), but I know adding some whole wheat is also traditional with this type of bread.
Frequently asked questions
Soda bread uses baking soda and buttermilk (acid) as leavening agents. Unlike traditional bread that relies on yeast to rise. The result is a rustic yet surprisingly tender crumb.
It's a simple flavor, not too complex, a cross between a biscuit and a country bread, especially with the recipe posted here that only has four ingredients.
Well, it is in the sense that it has been eaten on Ireland's tables for centuries and is a staple in that country. But it didn't originate in Ireland from the information I could gather.
This is a bread meant to be eaten with butter and/or jam at breakfast or in the afternoon or with soups and stews if eaten during meals. It's better as a complement to other dishes than plain on its own. And warm, freshly baked is always the best way.
It's best eaten the day it's baked, preferably during the first few hours, as it tends to dry out quickly. But you can freeze it for several weeks, well wrapped and sliced (my recommendation), or keep it at room temperature for a few days tightly wrapped in plastic or an airtight container.
Related recipes you might like:
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Irish Soda Bread Recipe
This might be the easiest no-yeast bread you’ll ever make. And so tasty! It’s ready in an hour and you can cut it warm and it won’t get all pasty as regular bread does. Eat it toasted with a slab of butter, with soups, stews, or simply plain warm from the oven. The original recipe is from my Irish great-grandmother, and it was really a list of ingredients with no definite measurements. So yes, it took several attempts to get to what I wanted. But here it is, and it’s so good!
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 round loaf
Ingredients
- 4 cups (560g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups buttermilk (see Notes below for making it at home)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 425°F/220°C.
- Have ready a baking sheet dusted with flour.
- Stir together flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
- Add the buttermilk and mix with a wooden spoon until it's all moistened. This is quick, several strokes and that's it. We don't want to overwork the dough.
- Flour lightly the counter and dump this shaggy mass.
- Sprinkle the top lightly with flour and bring it all together, folding it quickly onto itself, and forming it into a loose, flabby ball. It's sticky and wet but you don't need to knead it. If you add too much flour it will be tougher after it's baked, especially the crust. So don't be tempted to make it into a smooth ball, it's meant to be rustic.
- Place it in the prepared pan (I find it easier with the help of a spatula or dough scraper).
- Slash the top making a cross pattern, cutting it about half-inch deep, and immediately put the pan in the oven. Baking soda starts acting when you add liquid, so you want to start baking the bread as soon as possible.
- Bake for 10 minutes and turn the oven temperature down to 375°F/190°C.
- Continue baking for 35 to 40 more minutes, until it's golden and firm to the touch. You can open it slightly, carefully lifting the top with a fork, and make sure it's completely baked inside because it turns golden after 20-30 minutes but, usually, the crumb inside is still raw, so make sure. You can cover the top with a piece of aluminum paper if it's browning too quickly but you need to bake it longer. Also, turn the bread over and tap with your knuckles, it should make a hollow sound when fully baked.
- Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Eat warm or at room temperature. It's best eaten the same day it's baked (first few hours preferably).
Notes
Homemade buttermilk: put 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup and add milk until you reach the 2 cup mark. Let stand a minute or two, until it curdles and thickens, and use it in the recipe.
Ingredients. Don't substitute them, as they are all necessary to get the best results.
Don't overwork the dough. This is an important part as it doesn't need to be kneaded, simply formed into a loose ball.
Eat that day. I strongly recommend eating it the same day it's baked. It hardens quickly. If you want to freeze it do so while still barely warm and wrap well in plastic first and then foil. Sliced is the best way so you can have individual toast any time you want.
Flavorings: you can add herbs or spices, caraway seeds, or even some grated cheese, depending on what you’re using it for.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Keywords: irish soda bread
Christina Pickard says
This is almost exactly my Dublin-born Mother's recipe. Yum! She added currents or raisins. And the next day, it makes scrumptious toast. Thanks
Paula Montenegro says
Thanks for letting me know Christina! I do love currants, so will try it next time. Have a great weekend.
Mara says
Great recipe, Paula! I lived in Ireland for 15 years, and this is the closest I found adapted to all-purpose flour. Thanks :))
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Mara, so happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know.
Maria says
First time making or eating Irish Soda Bread. I cannot get over how easy it was, and even better, the taste. It us exactly like a good loaf of artisan bread. I will be making this constantly.
Paula Montenegro says
So glad you like it Maria! I completely agree with you and make it all the time also.
Emma says
Made this yesterday for St Patrick’s Day and it turned out absolutely perfect and it was my first time baking bread. I used oat milk and white vinegar for the buttermilk. The bread was amazing with butter and cheese! Thanks for the recipe!!
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
SO happy to hear that Emma! And great to know that it works with alternative milks. Have a great week!
Melissa J Johnson says
Perfect!
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
Thanks Melissa!
Maureen says
I spent most of Nov 2019 in Ireland where my paternal grandfather was from. You can have Irish Soda Bread all over & it is so delicious. This recipe is very similar to that bread except that in Ireland it's generally made with whole wheat flour. This recipe & the bread in Ireland are nothing like the sweet version sold in the US around St Patrick's Day! Thanks for your recipe.
Paula Montenegro says
You're right Maureen, most recipes add whole wheat flour. I do have to add that variation to the recipe. The other version is more a scone than a bread in my opinion. Have a great St. Patrick's day!
Bub says
Can you put raisins in this recipe?
Paula Montenegro says
You can, maybe 1/3 cup.
Nuna Harrington says
You can also soak the raisins in Irish whiskey
Kristina C Corra says
I love Irish soda bread, and I've always felt like I couldn't make it the right way. And they never taste the same so my fingers are crossed that this will be my to go too Irish Soda Bread. Thanks for the recipe.
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
Let me know how it goes Kristina!