Irish Soda Bread

This Irish soda bread recipe is a traditional no-yeast quick bread that’s easy enough for every day. Made with only a few kitchen staples like flour, baking soda, and buttermilk, it bakes up with a soft interior, a hearty crumb, and a golden crust.

A cut loaf of Irish soda bread on a white plate

What Is Irish Soda Bread?

Irish soda bread is a traditional Irish quick bread made without yeast. Buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to help it rise quickly. The cross cut on top has a lot of folklore attached to it, but it also serves a practical purpose by helping the loaf expand and bake evenly.

Why You’ll Love It: Irish soda bread is an everyday bread that only takes a few ingredients.
Flavor: Mildly sweet and tangy, this bread is denser, making it perfect for dipping into soups and stews.
Difficulty: Easy, with no rise time, minimal dishes, and ready in about an hour.
Technique: One bowl and one pan. No rolling pins or special equipment needed.

Labelled ingredients for Irish soda bread

Simple Ingredients

Flour: A 50/50 blend of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour makes the loaf hearty and flavorful. For a lighter texture, use more all-purpose flour.
Buttermilk: This is required to help activate the baking soda. Make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 ½ tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then fill with milk to 1 ½ cups total. Let it stand 5 minutes before using.
Egg: An egg is used as a binder and to add structure.
Salt & Sugar: The salt adds flavor, while the sugar adds sweetness and a golden-brown color to the loaf once baked.

Add Your Own Twist

Irish soda bread can be made sweet or savory to match the menu.

Sweet: Mix in a handful of currants, raisins, dried fruit, or nuts. A little orange zest will create a citrusy flavor with a lovely aroma.
Savory: Fold in a handful of cheddar cheese and herbs, or gently work in caraway seeds and a pinch of black pepper.

Irish soda bread batter in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon

How to Make Irish Soda Bread

Mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead lightly just until it holds together, and form it into a circle (full recipe below).
Cut a cross on top and bake until golden brown.

Storing Your Loaf

Irish soda bread tastes best when it’s fresh, but it can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or freeze slices in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.

Use leftover bread for croutons or a blueberry French toast casserole. Toast slices to bring back that fresh-baked texture.

More Quick Bread Recipes

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Cooling Time 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a medium bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Add the egg and half of the buttermilk to the flour mixture. Stir to combine.
Continue adding the remaining buttermilk a little bit at a time, stirring just until the dough holds together. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it a couple of times.
Form the dough into a 9-inch circle. Using a sharp knife, cut a cross shape ½-inch deep across the top.
Transfer the dough to a parchment paper lined baking pan.
Bake the bread for 45-50 minutes or until lightly browned. The bread should sound hollow when tapped.
Allow the bread to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Replace buttermilk by adding 1 ½ tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup and filling with milk until it reaches 1 ½ cups total. Allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes.
Soda bread tastes best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This bread can be toasted or warmed in the microwave or oven.
Optional add-ins include 1/2 cup of raisins or dried currants.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Bread, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Irish

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This Irish Soda Bread Recipe has been adapted from The Cross Cookbook, an old church cookbook written with a typewriter. The submission was made by Sr. Ida Mary.

Sources of information for the history of Irish Soda Bread: Irish Central, Wikipedia