Irish Soda Bread is the easiest bread you’ll make – no proofing or kneading required and the dough comes together in 5 minutes. Soda bread has a soft and tender crumb with a Biscuit-like texture.

Irish Soda Bread in Cast Iron skillet

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We love freshly baked bread, from Banana Bread to Homemade Focaccia. If you are a fan of easy bread recipes, this Irish Soda Bread is a must-try!

You’ll Love this Soda Bread!

I fell in love with Soda Bread the first time I tried it. Its lightly sweet crumb reminded me of our Paska Easter Bread and Hot Cross Buns, but it’s amazing how fast and easy it was to make a traditional Soda Bread.

What is Irish Soda Bread?

This Irish-American Soda Bread is traditionally baked for St. Patrick’s Day. It is a quick bread that uses Baking Soda (a.k.a. Sodium Bicarbonate) as the leavening to make it rise. Unlike traditional yeast bread, there is no proofing or rising time. Once the dough comes together, you score the top and bake right away.

Sliced soda bread with butter and honey

Ingredients

We love adding raisins for the holidays, but the raisins are optional. If you want to make it without buttermilk, then kefir works just as well to activate the baking soda.

  • Flour – all-purpose flour works best
  • Sugar – 1/4 cup makes it a lightly sweet bread
  • Salt – every good bread needs a fair amount
  • Baking soda – leavening which makes the bread rise
  • Butter – gives the bread a scone-like texture (use cold, unsalted)
  • Buttermilk – activates the soda (use cold, low-fat)
  • Egg – for a finer, richer crumb
  • Raisins – optional and can be substituted for dried cranberries
Ingredients for making bread with baking soda and flour


Tips for the Best Soda Bread

  • Do not over-mix – as with scones, the dough really just has to come together before baking.
  • Sticky dough – the dough will feel sticky. Dust your work surface and hands with just enough flour to handle the dough.
  • Cold ingredients – there’s no reason to bring ingredients to room temperature. Keep buttermilk, egg, and butter chilled.
  • Generously grease the pan – buttering your cast-iron skillet before baking allows the bread to rise without sticking to the pan.
  • Cool on a rack – Once out of the oven, transfer the soda bread to a rack to cool so it doesn’t steam and soften on the bottom.
Soft sliced soda bread on cutting board

How to Make Soda Bread

You’ll be amazed how fast and easy it is to form a loaf of this Irish-American Soda Bread.

  • Prep – Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 10″ cast-iron pan with butter.
  • Whisk dry ingredients – in a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
  • Add butter and raisins – cut butter into dice then work it into the flour mixture with clean dry fingertips until crumbs form. Stir in raisins.
  • Buttermilk – In a large measuring cup, beat together buttermilk and 1 egg and pour into dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until moistened and the dough starts to come together.
  • Form the loaf – transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, dust hands with flour, and form dough into a round loaf. If too sticky to handle, dust with flour.
  • Bake – transfer dough to the buttered pan and score the top with a deep “X”. Bake at 375˚F for 50-55 minutes.
Step by step instructions to make soda bread

How to know when Soda Bread is done baking? We bake for 50-55 minutes. When you tap the loaf it should sound hollow inside.

Common Questions:

Can I leave out the raisins?

You can omit the raisins, or even substitute them for dried cranberries or other bits of dried fruit like chopped apricots.

Can I make soda bread without buttermilk?

The buttermilk activates the baking soda, making the bread rise. You can substitute the buttermilk with a low fat plain Kefir.

What does Irish Soda Bread taste like?

It tastes similar to scones or biscuits but is very lightly sweet.

How to serve Soda Bread?

We love to serve soda bread is delicious served as a side with Irish butter and honey, or jam. It’s a lightly sweet bread so it pairs well with coffee or tea.

Why do you score the top with an “X”?

Scoring the top gives it extra surface area to brown and crisp.

Why is my soda bread tough?

Over-mixing or over-kneading the dough can make it tough. The less you handle it, the softer the bread will be.

Can I freeze soda bread?

Soda bread freezes really well. If you freeze it the day it’s baked (be sure it’s cooled to room temperature first), it will taste great thawed and toasted.

Perfectly baked Loaf of Irish soda bread sliced into pieces

This Irish Soda Bread recipe is sure to become a holiday favorite for you. It’s so easy and you’ll impress everyone.

More St Patrick’s Day Recipes

If you love this Soda Bread, then you won’t want to miss these St. Patrick’s Day-inspired recipes.

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

4.98 from 335 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Irish Soda Bread in cast iron skillet
This Irish-American Soda Bread takes just 5 minutes to make the dough with no kneading and no proofing needed. It has a soft and tender crumb with a texture that is similar to biscuits.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 12 slices (1 loaf)
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1/4 cup more for dusting
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 6 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, plus 1/2 Tbsp to grease pan
  • 1 3/4 cups cold lowfat buttermilk or kefir
  • 1 large egg, cold
  • 1 cup raisins or dried cranberries, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 375˚F. Generously grease a 10” cast-iron skillet with 1/2 Tbsp butter.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Cut butter into small pieces and use your fingers to work the butter into the flour until crumbs form stir in the raisins, breaking up any clumps of raisins. Make a well in the center.
  • In a large measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk and egg then add this mixture into the flour mixture. Use a wooden spoon and mix just until lightly moistened and dough barely starts to come together.
  • Transfer to a floured surface and use floured hands to shape the dough just until it forms into a round loaf. It should be shaggy. If it’s too sticky to handle, dust lightly with flour. Do not over-mix or bread will be tough.
  • Transfer to the buttered pan, use a knife to score the top with a large and deep “X”. Bake in the center of your preheated oven at 375 for 50-55min. When you tap on the bread, it should sound hollow inside. Transfer bread to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy within 2 days of making it and refrigerate leftovers up to a week.

Nutrition Per Serving

259kcal Calories45g Carbs5g Protein6g Fat4g Saturated Fat1g Trans Fat29mg Cholesterol295mg Sodium151mg Potassium2g Fiber4g Sugar195IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C14mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
259
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
6
g
9
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Cholesterol
 
29
mg
10
%
Sodium
 
295
mg
13
%
Potassium
 
151
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
45
g
15
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
195
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
14
mg
1
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American, Irish
Keyword: irish soda bread, soda bread recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 259

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Julie
    March 18, 2024

    This recipe was fantastic! I made it for Saint Patty’s day and it was pretty easy and delicious, thanks!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 18, 2024

      Great to hear that you loved it!

      Reply

  • Sarah
    March 18, 2024

    I make Irish soda bread every St Patrick’s day and have always used a different blogger’s recipe but decided to try yours this year. Absolutely delicious. & If you haven’t tried toasting it, you must! Made the recipe as is with no changes and baked for 55 minutes. Might not be able to wait another year to make this!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 18, 2024

      That’s amazing, Sarah! Thank you so sharing.

      Reply

  • Doree
    March 18, 2024

    Great recipe!! Although I’m a fairly big baker, this was my first time making Irish Soda Bread. I followed the directions exactly, without any changes; the dough was rather sticky and wet so I was a little concerned, but it baked up perfectly!! I baked it in a 3 1/2 quart Dutch oven lined with parchment paper and no lid. It was loved by everyone at our St. Patrick’s Day table yesterday. Thank you, Natasha for a delicious and easy recipe!!! It is definitely a keeper!!

    Reply

  • njnigh
    March 18, 2024

    It was honestly perfect. I used both raisins and cranberries and was very careful to not overmix. That made it incredibly soft. Highly recommend.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 18, 2024

      I’m so happy you enjoyed this bread!

      Reply

  • Catherine
    March 18, 2024

    This was easy and delicious as are many of your recipes! I didn’t have a cast iron skillet, So I use my dutch oven, it turned out wonderful! I had to add a little extra flour as I boiled my craisons first to pump them up and the extra liquid made it STICKY. My family really enjoyed it and WHEN I make it again I will dust the top with a little sanding sugar just to give it a hint more sweetness.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 18, 2024

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Catherine!

      Reply

  • Leya
    March 18, 2024

    This recipe was very easy, and the results were fantastic! Thank you for sharing.

    I added caraway seeds and chopped dried figs because I didn’t have raisins. I also accidentally forgot the egg, but it still turned out great! I love the crust, it was crunchy and browned beautifully. Scrumptious loaf that I might make throughout the year and not just for St. Paddy’s!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 18, 2024

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Leya! Thank you for your wonderful review.

      Reply

  • Jo
    March 18, 2024

    Delicious! I followed the recipe, minus not having a cast-iron pan. Instead, an uncovered clay bread pan was used, and the results were the best Irish Soda Bread we’ve ever had!

    Reply

  • Jeanine D
    March 18, 2024

    So delicious!! This is a wonderful, easy to follow recipe! My family loved it so much, I ended up having to make 2 more! I used kefir bc I already had. I made first one with cranberries, and other two with golden raisins. Yummy! Thank you, Natasha!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 18, 2024

      That’s wonderful, Jeanine! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • George
    March 18, 2024

    This turned out awesome! Thank you. Everyone loved it. I will definitely make this again!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 18, 2024

      So glad to hear that, George!

      Reply

  • Lisa M.
    March 17, 2024

    Made Irish soda bread for the first time and so glad I selected this recipe. My husband and I both said it was a keeper!

    Reply

  • Timothy Calahan
    March 17, 2024

    Made your Irish Soda Bread recipe minus the raisins.
    It was the best and my family thoroughly enjoyed with our corned beef, colcannon and roasted carrots.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 17, 2024

      Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Laura L.
    March 17, 2024

    Daughter made this for us. Replaced 1/4 of the flour with whole wheat and upped the buttermilk to just under two cups. Dough was exceedingly sticky, just a warning, as you’ll want to liberally dust it with flour. Skipped the raisins out of preference. This is the BEST soda bread I have ever had. Tender and sweet. Going to make this again soon!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 17, 2024

      Hello Laura, that’s nice to know that youn were able to replace it with whole wheat flour and you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Elaine Wannamaker
    March 17, 2024

    Delicious bread! Very moist and full of flavour. I didn’t have buttermilk so I added 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to 2% milk and let it sit for about ten minutes before making the bread. Turned out perfectly! Thank you for all of your fabulous recipes!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 17, 2024

      Great to hear that the substitution worked well!

      Reply

  • Patti
    March 17, 2024

    I made this today. I could not find currants anywhere, so used golden raisins. I didn’t have a 10″ cast iron skillet so used 2 smaller ones. Other than that followed the recipe exactly and everyone said it was the best Irish soda bread they ever had. Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 17, 2024

      Thank you for sharing that with us, Patti and for the awesome feedback too!

      Reply

  • Karen
    March 17, 2024

    Delicious! This recipe is a keeper. It works really well baked in a cast iron skillet.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 17, 2024

      Thank you for the feedback, Karen!

      Reply

  • Darlene O'Brien
    March 17, 2024

    Best soda bread, ever !!!!
    And so easy to make …
    Thank you for sharing

    Reply

  • Sammi
    March 17, 2024

    Tastes GREAT! I served it with home made honey butter – perfection!

    Reply

  • Sammi
    March 17, 2024

    Tastes great! I derived it with homemade honey butter – perfection!

    Reply

  • Cathy Loiacono
    March 17, 2024

    The bread came out great! Thank you for this easy recipe. Have you tried this recipe with a 1 for 1 gluten-free flour?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 17, 2024

      Great to hear that, Cathy! I haven’t tested that to advise but let’s see if others can share their experience.

      Reply

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