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Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe

*Updated* / By: 288 Comments

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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.

A close up of Irish Soda Bread showing the nice X on the top.

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. 

Bread recipe ingredients in a bowl, buttermilk in a measuring cup on the side.

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

Soda bread dough on a wooden board.

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!!! 

Knife cutting an X on the top of the bread.

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.

Overhead shot of Irish soda bread cut on a wooden board. Shamrock decorations around.

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”.

Close up of pieces of soda bread.

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 Pin Image

A close up of Irish Soda Bread showing the nice X on the top.

Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe

Irish Soda Bread Quick Easy Recipe is just what you need to make freshly baked bread any day of the week. No yeast, no rising, no kneading. You only need 4 ingredients to make this soda bread recipe. Enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day, and all year long. 
5 from 73 votes
Print Rate Recipe Collections
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Irish
Keyword: Authentic, Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 379kcal
Author: Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

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)
US Customary - Metric

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!!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 905mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 9.1% | Calcium: 14.7% | Iron: 16.8%

Notes

***NOTE** If you choose to bake this in a cast iron skillet, you will have to allow for more time as it takes time for the skillet to heat in the oven. DO NOT heat the skillet before putting the bread in to bake.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marisa Franca

    Well, I think the fairies did their magic to the bread before you cut the dough and let them out. It’s a beautiful loaf and I bet it is perfect go-along with any meal. We are huge bread lovers and I’d love to have a warm slice slathered with butter. So yummy! I’m keeping this in mind for St. Patrick’s Day.

    Reply

  2. Veena Azmanov

    This is why I love soda bread. So simple, so easy and not waiting. Love all the detailed information . you provided Gloria. Need to try your recipe soon.

    Reply

  5. Linda

    Oh my! I love a warm, toasty bread like this and am gonna try this one. I mean, the fact that it only takes 1 hour to bake it from scratch definitely wins.

    Reply

  6. Danielle Wolter

    Why am I not making this bread??? I’m not much of a bread baker, but am all about a no-knead no yeast bread. it sounds so easy to make and I’ll bet it’s delicious. I hope I get a chance to try it this weekend!

    Reply

  7. Jolina

    I can’t believe how quick to bake this is!! I love making bread too but my default recipe usually takes a couple of hours just the waiting/rising alone so lol. Can’t wait to try this out. Perfect for dunking into soup!

    Reply

  8. Denise

    That looks beautiful! I like that it seems so simple. I am not a baker but I’ve always wanted to make good homemade bread. Actually it’s on my bucket list. However so far I have not been successful so I’ll have to try this recipe. It looks like it would be perfect with a bowl fo stew or soup!

    Reply

  9. Linda

    I’m a fan of irish Soda Bread too! I love how easy it is and it always comes out moist and delicious. And I’m with you on reaching for it while it’s hot and slathering on the butter. Now I’m thinking I need this for dinner tomorrow.

    Reply

  11. Lois Christensen

    A friend of mine and her husband always made Irish Soda Bread and would deliver it to our house on St. Patrick’s Day. But they moved away and I’ve been thinking of trying to make some for us this year. Your recipe came just in time! Looks really good.

    Reply

  13. Stine Mari

    Okay I didn’t know it was THAT easy! I love making bread and buns and all that, but it does take a long time. I will have to try this very soon!

    Reply

  14. Darlene @ Dip Recipe Creations

    I love the idea of making bread without waiting for it to rise. I don’t know if I’ve ever had Irish Soda Bread, but this looks great and sounds so easy.

    Reply

  17. Danielle

    I’ve been experimenting with lots of yeast breads lately, but dislike the time it takes to knead and rise. This looks like the perfect easy recipe for bread! Will be making it this weekend!

    Reply

  19. Byron Thomas

    When I read the part where you think breaking off a chunk of bread and slathering it with butter is fantastic, I knew we could be best friends. Really, there’s nothing as soothing and as therapeutic as warm, homemade bread. I was lucky enough to grow up in a home where homemade bread was all there way. My mom would make homemade bread twice each week, in large batches. I miss it tremendously! I’m just slowly practicing and perfecting my bread making skills, and I think this easy Irish soda bread would be a great place to start! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply

  20. Amanda

    Yum — I love how easy and delicious this looks. We always have a St. Patrick’s Day party, and this bread will be perfect. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  21. Veena Azmanov

    I have never made Irish soda bread – sounds yum. The dough looks so pliable and easy to manage. I love how simple and easy this recipe is. Saving for later.

    Reply

  26. Paige

    Yum, ”tis is perfect for this time of year hen it’s no too hot to turn he oven on! I really like how easy it looks, and love the thought of slathering a hot piece with butter!

    Reply

  29. lauren

    I can’t say I’ve actually ever had Irish soda bread, but like you said I also love having a nice hunk of bread to go with a big bowl of soup. The smell of fresh baking bread is one of my favorite smells in the world. I love how quick and simple the recipe is!

    Reply

  32. abra

    Those salt crystals on top! OMG! I could eat this entire loaf with an obscene amount of kerrygold butter on each bite 🙂 Can’t wait to try this recipe.

    Reply

  37. Amanda

    I, too, love how easy it is to make Irish Soda Bread. It really comes together so quickly, and I love that rustic, craggily texture. I hadn’t heard the folklore about the cuts in the top being to “let the fairies out.” How fun! I absolutely love that. I’ll have to tell my St. Patrick’s dinner guests this year when I put the soda bread on the table!

    Reply

  39. Donna

    Soda bread is the BEST! I grew up in Ireland and Soda bread was a staple in our house. I haven’t made my own in years, but it is still up there in my list of absolute favorite comfort foods. I am looking forward to trying this version out!

    Reply

  40. Michelle

    I cannot tell you how much I love Irish soda bread – although the version my Gram passed down has raisins and other nontraditional ingredients. I could eat this every day.

    Reply

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