How to Make Irish Soda Bread – a photo tutorial on baking the yeast-free classic Irish soda bread. This recipe is gluten-free, but you can easily use regular all-purpose flour. This goof-proof bread recipe comes together quickly!
Can we can have a mature conversation about how you should drop everything right now and bake this rad Irish Soda Bread?
Don’t even go to work, walk your dog, or put on pants. Just. Bake. Dis. Crunk. Loaf.
Your butter needs a companion, and your face needs some comfort.
This recipe is a classic take on traditional Irish Soda Bread.
What is Irish Soda Bread?:
Traditional Irish Soda bread is made with bread flour, buttermilk, and baking soda instead of yeast.
No yeast = no wondering if yeastly creatures are alive and active = no waiting for bread dough to rise = super quick slam bam thank you ma’am bread. Many people add raisins (or currants) and caraway seeds for some extra stellar flavor, which is just bril. Like, don’t skip the raisins and caraway seeds.
I know what you’re thinking…
#DontWorryIt’sGlutenFree.
Or not. Whatever’s your jam.
What Type of Flour To Use:
I used my gluten-free all-purpose flour instead of bread flour and it turned out magnificently. You’d never know the difference! You can also use regular all-purpose flour if you don’t follow a gluten-free diet.
How to Make Irish Soda Bread:
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet using olive oil or cooking spray. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Add the raisins and caraway seeds and stir well to combine.
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Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the buttermilk into the well. Stir the buttermilk into the flour mixture, starting in the center and working your way to the outside of the bowl until a dough forms. If needed, add additional buttermilk (2 tablespoons at a time) to form the dough.
-
Turn the dough out onto a lightly-floured surface and knead for 1 minute. Form a large disc out of the dough. Cut the dough in half with a knife and with floured hands, form two small discs out of the dough.
-
Using a serrated knife, cut a 1/4-inch deep X into each disc of dough.
-
Place both discs of dough on the lightly-oiled baking sheet. Be sure to place the discs far apart, as they will rise while baking.
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Bake for 45 to 65 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and bread tests clean when poked with a knife. Remove from the oven and allow bread to cool at least 20 minutes.
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Place Irish Soda Bread on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut slices 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Slather with butter/and or jam and enjoy alongside your favorite entree!
Let’s explore the possibilities with this bread for a minute. No brainer: bake it for St. Patrick’s Day to go alongside your Shepherd’s Pie…or just any dang day you please.
My other Irish soda thoughts consist of every sandwich ever (turkey, bacon, avo for.the.win!), French toast, French onion soup, bread pudding, bruschetta, butter, jam, and personalized pizza. Open-faced breakfast sandinger with all the eggs, bacon, and salsa con carne asada. Ugh stop making me hungry, you menace.
Wah wah wah wait….look at this:
I’ve been breakfasting like a champ by toasting up hearty slices of Irish soda bread, slathering them in butter, layering them with avocado, and topping them with soft boiled eggs and sunflower seeds. Just.Whoa for your facetrap. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t drizzled the whole dang thing in maple syrup, because: blood sugar.
Back to my soda story.
Questions? Hit me up style!

How to Make Irish Soda Bread
Gluten-free Irish soda bread made just like the classic. A rustic yeast-free bread recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour + more for dusting
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
- 1 cup raisins or currants rinsed in hot water and patted dry
- 2 1/4 cups buttermilk
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet using olive oil or cooking spray. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Add the raisins and caraway seeds and stir well to combine. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture.
-
Pour the buttermilk into the well.
-
Stir the buttermilk into the flour mixture, starting in the center and working your way to the outside of the bowl until a dough forms. If needed, add additional buttermilk (2 tablespoons at a time) to form the dough.
-
Turn the dough out onto a lightly-floured surface and knead for 1 minute. Form a large disc out of the dough.
-
Cut the dough in half with a knife and with floured hands, form two small discs out of the dough.
-
Using a serrated knife, cut a 1/4-inch deep X into each disc of dough.
-
Place both discs of dough on the lightly-oiled baking sheet. Be sure to place the discs far apart, as they will rise while baking.
-
Bake for 45 to 65 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and bread tests clean when poked with a knife. Remove from the oven and allow bread to cool at least 20 minutes.
-
Place Irish Soda Bread on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut slices 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Slather with butter/and or jam and enjoy alongside your favorite entree!
The buttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
!!
Ashley White
Tuesday 24th of March 2015
Can Bob's gluten free bread mix be used?
Julia
Tuesday 24th of March 2015
Yes, I used their gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour :) Hope you enjoy!
Joanne
Monday 23rd of February 2015
I have memories of dry and bland Irish soda bread ingrained in my memory...but this is really the opposite of that bread! Looks SO moist! The way good bread should be.
Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies
Thursday 19th of February 2015
There are many, many things I love about St Patrick's day, and Irish soda bread is definitely one of them! Yours looks heavenly and I'm loving the idea of making a sandwich on it. Grilled cheese? Yes plzzz
Julia
Friday 20th of February 2015
Thanks, girl! Green beer + Irish soda bread FTW!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy
Wednesday 18th of February 2015
Wow this Irish soda bread looks amazing. Great tutorial!
Julia
Friday 20th of February 2015
xoxo
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
Wednesday 18th of February 2015
Gah! I just love you ( bake. dis. crunk. loaf.) ha!! Seriously I'm making this bread (gluten-full because that's my jam) but I'm telling you I think it's genius that you did the gf version! Anyhoo LOVE love love!
Julia
Friday 20th of February 2015
I love you too, my sweets! Can we do some Irish car bombs and eat buttery Irish soda bread already? jeeeeeez.... ;)