Easy Irish Soda Bread

This easy Irish soda bread recipe requires no yeast! Buttermilk and baking soda give the soda bread flavor and ensure a perfect rise with a crunchy crust and tender crumb.

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Easy Soda Bread Recipe

This easy Irish soda bread recipe requires no yeast and no rise time! The outside texture reminds me of an Irish scone, while the inside is tender and sweet. It’s texture is unique compared to an easy homemade bread recipe, but so yummy. 

Soda bread uses baking soda as it’s leavening agent which gives it its namesake! Butter enriches the dough, similar to a homemade biscuit. Serve alongside corned beef and cabbage for a traditional Irish St. Patrick’s Day feast!

Why I Love This Recipe

• Easy to make: Ready in only one hour, this quick bread recipe requires minimal kneading and no rise time.
• Hearty and rustic: Irish soda bread relies on baking soda instead of yeast. It’s more dense than my Artisan bread but has a great crumb and rustic crust.
• Minimal ingredients: No special items are needed to make a soda bread meaning you can make this quick recipe any night!

Recipe Ingredients

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Baking staples: Flour, sugar baking powder, baking soda, salt and an egg.
• Kerrygold Irish butter: This is a specialty butter that is a MUST for a classic Irish bread recipe. Slightly softened butter is best.
• Buttermilk: Buttermilk tenderizes the loaf. Make your own homemade buttermilk with lemon juice or white vinegar or use store-bought buttermilk.

How to Make Irish Soda Bread

1. Mix. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients including flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or fork. Stir in the buttermilk and egg.
2. Knead. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead with your hands until the bread forms a ball.
3. Cut. At this point, you can cut the dough in half to make 2 smaller loaves or 1 large loaf. Press it down and round the edges and then use a sharp knife to cut an ‘X’ in the top.
4. Bake. Combine the melted butter and buttermilk in a small bowl and then brush half of it on top of the loaf. Bake at 350°F for 45 to 55 minutes, brushing the remaining buttermilk mixture on top halfway through.

Recipe Tips

• Avoid dense bread: While a traditional Irish soda bread is more dense than bread with yeast, over-kneading the bread will make it too dense. Handle the dough gently!
• Sticky dough: If you find that the dough is overly sticking, add more flour a small amount at a time until the right consistency is reached.
• Fresh baking soda: Active baking soda is needed to create a proper light and airy loaf. Check yours by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to a bowl of vinegar, if it bubbles quickly, it’s good to use.
• Cold buttermilk: Using cold buttermilk creates the best reaction with the soda.
• Sweet version with raisins: Mix in 1 cup of raisins then sprinkle with sugar before baking. You can also add caraway seeds!

Serving Suggestions

• Plain: The flavor is so great that you don’t need to top this Irish bread with much when serving. Try enjoying a slice with a little bit of butter and a drizzle of honey.
• Jams or spreads: Strawberry jam, apple butter, and cinnamon butter are all great compliments.
• Soups and stews: Serve with comforting and hearty soups or stews like beef bourguignon, vegetable beef soup, or cabbage soup.

Storage

Irish soda bread is best served the first day, however, the bread should keep for about 2 to 3 days. It has a tendency to dry out pretty quickly, so just make sure to wrap it tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it at room temperature.