The Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

This Irish soda bread recipe uses just 4 pantry staples for a warm, crusty loaf that’s perfect for slathering with butter and jam, or soaking up your favorite soup. No kneading required!

If you want homemade bread but without a lot of prep, this Irish soda bread is a great option along with one-hour rolls, peasant bread, and garlic knots!

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Have you ever had Irish Soda Bread? I first tried it a few years ago and have been a fan ever since. It’s super easy to make and has great flavor. You start off by combining all the dry ingredients and cutting in a few tablespoons of butter. Then stir in the buttermilk until a dough forms. From there, you dump it out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a round loaf, (no kneading required!) bake it in a cast iron skillet, brush with melted butter and that’s it. See? Super easy.

It totally reminds me of biscuits in loaf form! And even though soda bread has way less butter than biscuits, it still has a great buttery flavor. Plus it has an amazing texture- the crust is crisp and the center is soft and tender. Serve it plain, with butter or smothered in jam. Give it a try, I know you’ll love it!

4 Ingredients to Make It

I don’t know about you… but the fact that Irish soda bread only requires 4 simple ingredients and it doesn’t need any kneading or proofing makes this recipe a winner. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• All-Purpose Flour:The base of the soda bread, providing structure and body.
• Baking Soda:There’s no soda bread without the baking soda! It’s the leavening agent, reacting with the buttermilk to create bubbles that make the bread rise.
• Salt:Enhances the flavor of the bread.
• Buttermilk:Adds a slight tang and moisture, and also helps activate the baking soda.

Extras

• Softened Butter (for serving):The perfect addition to this tasty soda bread!
• Jam (for serving):For some sweet flavor. Try this homemade strawberry jam recipe if you’re up for the challenge!

How to Make Irish Soda Bread

When it comes to homemade bread, this recipe is as easy as it gets. Even without yeast, proofing, and kneading, Irish soda bread is perfect- it’s crisp on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside.

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prepare Dough: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Then create a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour the buttermilk into the center.
3. Shape: Mix the dough together using your hands, or a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Dump the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and bring it together just until it forms a round.
4. Bake: Place the loaf on a parchment lined baking sheet. With a knife, score the top of the loaf in an x. Place it in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes or until the crust is a golden brown.
5. Cool and Serve: Take the soda bread loaf out of the oven and allow it to cool at least 10 minutes before cutting into it. Serve with butter and jam or alongside my Guinness Beef Stew.