The best Irish soda bread recipe that is perfect for any day of the week. Dense and soft with an incredible crusty exterior.
No kneading. No rising. No yeast. No waiting for HOURS! Quick, easy, and delicious. Your house will smell like a bakery.
Great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this quick baking soda bread recipe.
Life is busy. My sundried tomato and olive bread takes a little time to make, but worth the effort. Traditional Irish soda bread is the perfect way to enjoy homemade bread using minimal ingredients. Made in a fraction of the time.
If you are new to the bread-making experience, this easy recipe is the perfect place to start. It does not require any yeast. Instead, all of its leavening comes from baking soda and buttermilk.
I bet your family will like it so much it will become your favourite side. We absolutely love it with tomato crab soup.
With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it pairs perfectly with this easy corned beef and potato on the stove dinner. Made in under 30 minutes.
A must along side Guinness Irish stew. This recipe is made in the pressure cooker.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this Irish bread recipe are at the bottom of the post.
Irish Bread Ingredients:
- flour
- sugar
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- butter
- buttermilk
What Is Soda Bread?
A quick bread that does not use yeast or require rising time. It produces a dense and moist loaf with a golden crust. Baking soda and buttermilk act as the leavening agent.
Traditionally the 4 basic ingredients include flour, baking soda, buttermilk, and salt. It can also be made with a combination of whole wheat flour and regular flour. Some recipes also include the addition of raisins.
How To Make Easy Irish Soda Bread In Minutes
You will be a pro in no time.
- Place the flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the buttermilk.
- Mix with your hands to combine.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and mix until it forms a ball.
- Place on a baking sheet.
- Score
- Bake
I have baked it in a *(affiliate) cake pan, and a *(affiliate) cast-iron skillet. I prefer the old-fashioned way. Just plop it onto a *(affiliate) baking sheet.
I like to top it with a little *(affiliate) coarse sea salt for a nice presentation. This is completely optional. Another great choice would be *(affiliate) Himalayan Pink Salt.
Recipe Tips
- Do not over-work the dough. It should an uneven and shaggy appearance. That is perfect.
- Be sure to score the top of the bread before baking.
- Be sure to use COLD butter. The colder the butter the less sticky the dough will be.
- If you choose to bake the bread in a cast-iron skillet, be sure to add a few minutes to the baking time as it will take a little longer.
- If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, here are some great buttermilk substitutes.
Why Is There An X On Top Of Soda Bread?
Depending on where you get your facts, there are LOTS of legends people believe the X on top symbolizes.
- to let the fairies out.
- the four corners represent the four provinces of Ireland!
- often said to ward off the devil and to protect the household.
- blessing the bread and giving thanks.
From a baking perspective, cutting the dough lets heat penetrate into the thickest part of the bread. Allowing it to stretch and expand while baking.
How Long Will Soda Bread Last?
It will dry out quickly, so it is best eaten the day of baking. For longer use, wrap it tightly or place it in an airtight container. It will last for 3-4 days.
Can You Freeze It?
Yes, you can. Tightly wrapped it will freeze well for 3-4 months.
Can You Toast It?
Yes, and it is super delicious. Slather it with some jam, use it to make French toast, or top it with a fried egg. This is a worthy breakfast bread.
What is the difference between Irish soda bread and Irish brown bread?
Soda bread is slightly sweet. Think of a fresh-baked scone. It contains white flour, which gives it a mild flavor.
Brown bread is savory. It contains whole wheat flour, molasses, and oats. It has a nutty flavour.
Baking bread does not have to be time-consuming and complicated. This easy-to-make recipe makes an appearance quite often on our dinner table.
Try this recipe along side:
- Chunky Chili, the perfect comfort food that will warm you up in a hurry
- Red Wine Lamb Stew takes comfort food to a whole new level of deliciousness. Great for date night.
- Mom’s Pea Soup always needs some great bread for dunking.
Looking For More Quick and Easy Bread Recipes?
- We love Cheezy Cornbread with chili. A must for the cast iron skillet.
- Have some bananas to use up? Basic Banana Bread is always a great place for them.
- Another no yeast option is Onion Bread, perfect for soups, stews, and chilis.
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Easy Irish Soda Bread (Baking Soda Bread)
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup cold butter (cubed)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tsp coarse 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!!
Trish Bozeman
I can’t believe you can make this in just an hour! No yeast. No rising. MAGIC. Perfect for dipping into soups or just eating with a bit of butter and jam. Mmmm…..
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
YES, YES and YES. This is the fastest go-to bread recipe when you need some in a hurry.
Dana Sandonato
I’m still in love with this recipe a year later. No labor, all love. This makes having homemade bread on a weekly basis so attainable. Thank you!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is the best recipe when you need bread in a hurry. So glad you enjoy it as much as we do.
Debra
Such a great addition to the many soups and stews I’m making during the winter. Love how easy this one comes together too. Hubby will be so excited when he smells this homemade loaf.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I know…it is a winner all the way around. And tastes delicious too. ENJOY!
Jenni LeBaron
Yum! This Irish soda bread recipe makes me long for a big pot of Guinness stew! I can imagine this is delicious paired with anything saucy or enjoyed straight out of the oven with a big shmear of butter! Absolutely delicious!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is the perfect side to stew, soup and chili. We make this often.
VeenaAzmanov
So easy and yet so delicious. Have to try one soon.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I hope you give this bread recipe a try soon.
Marisa F. Stewart
Normally I make yeast breads but this version is so quick and easy I whip it up so I can serve it with soup. Since this is soup season, I’ve been making the bread, cutting it in half and freezing part of it so we always have some delicious homemade bread with our soup. I’m due to make another loaf.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I love putting it in the freezer too. Great to pull out to pair up with meals.
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.