Nothing beats homemade bread. With this Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe, you can have freshly baked bread in no time.
No kneading. No rising. No waiting for HOURS! Perfect for any night of the week. Quick, easy and delicious, your house will smell like a bakery. Great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this easy soda bread recipe.
I happen to love making homemade bread. Unfortunately, we always don’t have the time. Simple and easy Irish Soda Bread is the answer. You can whip this bread recipe in minutes. The perfect side to soup, stew,(especially Irish stew) and chili. If you are like me, breaking off a hunk of bread and slathering it with butter is fantastic.
There is something about the aroma of bread baking. That is my favourite part of visiting a bakery. Delicious sweets are one thing, but freshly baked bread is one of my favourite foods. There is not a type of bread I have not liked. This soda bread is a favourite around here.
If you are a crusty bread lover, this is for YOU!
WHAT IS IRISH SODA BREAD?
Irish soda bread, soda bread or Irish bread (so many ways to call it) is a quick bread that does not require yeast, kneading or time to rise. Baking soda is used as the leavening agent. Traditional Irish soda bread contains only 4 ingredients:
- flour
- baking soda
- soured milk/buttermilk
- salt
Ingredients found in your pantry right? If you don’t have buttermilk don’t worry. Check below for some easy substitutions. This bread recipe is easy as 1-2-3.
HOW TO MAKE IRISH SODA BREAD
Let me tell you, making bread does not get easier than this. I thought scones and cornbread were easy to make. This recipe for Irish soda bread is even easier. I really don’t think you can screw this up. Well ok, I guess you could burn it.
I really don’t think this will happen. Once that aroma of this delicious and simple bread recipe starts wafting through the house, you will be checking the oven. I am always eager to break off a hunk of this quick and easy bread and slather on the butter. SOOOOO GOOOOOD!!!
If you search the net you will find LOTS of different soda bread recipes. Some have nuts, seeds, and raisins. Traditionally it was made with NO butter and NO white flour. I think we have sort of customized it to our tastes.
So if you have never made Irish Soda Bread, let me give you the Coles notes directions. You will be a baking bread like a pro in no time. No bread machine needed here.
Place the flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the buttermilk.
- Mix with your hands to combine.
- Turn dough onto floured surface and mix until it forms a ball.
- Place on a baking sheet.
- Score
- Bake
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, no problem. There are buttermilk substitutes you can use. Alternatively, you can also use buttermilk powder mixed with water.
For this Irish Soda Bread recipe, I did use butter and a bit of sugar (I know, breaking tradition), and I also sprinkled coarse salt on the top before baking.
I have baked it in a cake pan, and a cast iron skillet (it takes a little longer). We prefer the old fashioned way. Just plop it onto a baking sheet. Makes a great rustic looking loaf. Do you know why they score the top? Folklore states: “to let the fairies out”.
Making bread does not have to be time-consuming and complicated. This Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe makes an appearance quite often on our dinner table. It disappears in a flash. Hope you give this easy to make homemade bread recipe a try.
Do you have a favourite quick bread recipe?
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Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter (cubed)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tsp course sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F and choose your preferred baking pan, sheet or cast iron skillet. I just used a parchment lined baking sheet.
- In a large bowl add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
- Add the butter and mix until crumbly.
- Add the buttermilk (not all at once) and mix with your hand until moist.
- Turn dough onto floured surface and blend until it forms a round ball. Flatten with your hand slightly to form a disc about 7-8 inches across.
- Place on baking sheet. Score an X on the top with a sharp knife (about 1/2 way through the bread.
- At this point, you can top with the coarse salt if you like.
- Bake in the oven for about 50 minutes. Check with a cake tester. The top should be browned, and the bread will have a hollow sound when you tap on the bottom.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool. At this point, I am ready to rip off a chunk!!
- ENJOY!!
Clare
Love it, especially straight out of the oven. I added dried cranberries to the recipe and it turned out so well. Thanks for sharing the recipe
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome…so glad you came back to tell me how it turned out.
Tammy Grubbs
Excellent recipe
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. Hope you give it a try.
Natalie
That irish bread looks fantastic. Rustic, flavorful and delicious. Can imagine putting a butter on a slice. Yum! I’m such a huge fan of easy homemade breads. Never tried making bread in skillet. Must give skillet a go.
Homemade & Yummy
I have made cornbread in a skillet….turns out fantastic.
Jo
No knead breads are my absolute favorite types of bread. I love baking bread and this soda bread is just perfect Gloria. I’m so happy to see you added butter to make the bread even more better. Always butter is better! haha! I cant wait to try your soda bread
Homemade & Yummy
Nothing like a freshly baked bread an butter. Simple and delicious.
Julie
I love Irish soda bread because, as your recipe title suggests, it’s so quick and easy! It just isn’t St. Patrick’s Day without a freshly made loaf!
Homemade & Yummy
Super quick, and a great way to enjoy fresh baked bread any day of the week.
Daniela
Yum! You had me at quick and easy :). This weather sure has me craving carbs…especially bread!
Homemade & Yummy
It doesn’t get easier than this at making bread.
Charity
I’m getting really excited for St Paddys! This soda bread would go great with our favorite guinness stew. Thanks!
Homemade & Yummy
Oh yes…perfect with that delicious stew for sure.
Loreto Nardelli
Hi Gloria
I am sold on this soda bread. You have made it look so easy to make and love that crust. I would love a piece as soon as it comes out of the oven with butter. Or better yet with a good gravy rich stew my bread would be right in there sopping up all that goodness! ?
Homemade & Yummy
Either way…ENJOY this bread. I know you can make the “more advanced” breads, but this is quick and fun. The simple things in life like bread and butter…on yes for sure.
Amy
I really love this recipe! It’s always so hard to convince myself to make fresh bread, since it takes up so much time — but this recipe is so quick and easy! And really helpful tips for those of us who haven’t made soda bread before!
Homemade & Yummy
With this recipe you can have fresh bread any day of the week.
Michelle
There really is nothing better than good soda bread. I have to agree with Annemarie, waiting for your bread to cool before slathering it in cold butter is the hardest thing! Lovely recipe x
Homemade & Yummy
Yup that is the hardest part for sure. Hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe soon.
Marisa F. Stewart
Just wanted to let you know that I tried out the bread yesterday. Our daughter was going to come over for lunch and I didn’t have any bread. We’d made some soup so I thought of something that would be quick and easy. You were so right and the taste was amazing. Good thing I had the foresight to buy buttermilk earlier in the week. The recipe is a keeper.
Homemade & Yummy
I am so happy you came back to let me know how much you enjoyed this recipe. It is a quick and easy way to get fresh bread in no time.
Rachel
This recipe is the perfect bread recipe for me! So simple yet delicious. LOVE that it doesn’t require kneading, yeast and rise time! Thanks for posting!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes is so easy and so delicious. A great way to enjoy fresh baked bread any day of the week.
Veena Azmanov
Baking my own bread sounds so perfect. Love your recipe and thanks for making it so simple and easy and tasty too.
Homemade & Yummy
This is such a super easy recipe, great for having fresh bread without all the time involved.
Lindsay Cotter
There is nothing like the aroma of freshly baked bread! This one looks really easy to make!
Homemade & Yummy
I know…that aroma is the best.
Toni
This would be a great addition to our menu for St. Patrick’s Day!
Homemade & Yummy
YES, the perfect bread to celebrate the day with.
Anna
I always wanted to bake my own bread but never had the courage to do so, as the recipes usually look quite complicated. This one is so easy and straight forward! I think I’m gonna give it a go, thank you so much for sharing it!
Homemade & Yummy
Honestly, you will master this THE FIRST TIME!! Enjoy!!
Annemarie
Let out the fairies/let out the steam, the same thing, right? 🙂 I do love homemade bread and a simple quickbread like this is the perfect way to get my fix when I don’t have time to let the dough rise! The only hard part is waiting for the bread to cool enough that I can cut a slice.
Homemade & Yummy
Well “let the fairies out” is a fun little tidbit of information….and makes for a good story!! Waiting for the bread to cool is the HARDEST part for sure.
Dana
I haven’t made bread in so long and now I’m totally hankering for it. Nothing beats homemade bread! I love how simple this recipe is. Four ingredients, not too involved—I’ll be making this asap!
Homemade & Yummy
YES…easy and delicious. I could make this EVERYDAY!!
Traci
Why do I not make Irish soda bread on the regular?! It’s so easy, and rewarding, and you get BREAD when all is said and done. Great recipe you have here. May I say that I love the butter addition to make it richer. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. Hope you give this super easy and totally delicious recipe a try. You will be a master bread baker the first time.
Marisa F. Stewart
I like to think of myself as an expert in bread baking AND eating. What I’ve neglected to make is a great Irish Soda Bread. Your recipe does sound super simple and your slashes on top are beautiful!! Having homemade bread at the table makes any meal extra special. I’m printing out your recipe and making it tomorrow!!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…I love how quickly this recipe comes together. Not to mention it is darn delicious too.
Mimi
I am happy to have as many quick bread recipes as possible because I make bread often, and so I want the whole process to take as little time as possible. There is nothing else like homemade bread!
Homemade & Yummy
It is a great way to have fresh baked bread on the dinner table any night of the week.
April
Homemade bread is everything. I can’t imagine having a meal without bread, especially if it is homemade. It has that flavor, taste and smell that are unbeatable!
Homemade & Yummy
I could make a meal out of bread alone…ENJOY!
Trish Bozeman
Gloria, THANK YOU for this! I tell myself every year that I’m going to get into making bread. But it just always seems too intimidating. I’m bookmarking this to make for St. Patrick’s Day this year and I’m so glad it’s an easy one!
Homemade & Yummy
YOU will be a master the first time you bake this bread. ENJOY!
Maman de sara
Bread with no rising time, woo hoo very interesting!
Homemade & Yummy
Give it a try and see. I know you will love the results.
Tracy
No yeast? No kneading? Bread in no time? Yes! This is so dangerous though – I could eat a whole loaf of bread, it’s my weakness! So I’ll need to make sure I have someplace to bring this delicious bread so I don’t eat it all!
Homemade & Yummy
Yup, I know the feeling. I could make a meal of bread ALONE!!
Jacqueline Debono
I hardly ever make my own bread but this Irish soda bread looks so easy I can’t try it. Thanks for the tips on homemade buttermilk! Buttermilk isn’t so widely available here in Italy! Pinning for later!
Homemade & Yummy
This is such an easy recipe. Hope you give it a try. I think once you do, you will be making it all the time.