Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread • authentic recipe! (2024)

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“This is a brilliant recipe. Have made it several times since finding it on your site. Stays lovely and moist for a couple of days. But then it makes super toast! ~Mary

Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread • authentic recipe! (1)

Soda bread is a traditional Irish bread made without yeast

This amazing Irish oatmeal soda bread is made in under an hour, from start to finish! It has a unique texture and a charming simplicity. Whether you’re putting together a St. Patrick’s Day menu, or just looking for a quick no-yeast no-knead bread for dinner, this is a must try.

Irish soda bread is a type of bread that has been a staple in Ireland for centuries. The simple recipe is made from flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. It has a distinctive flavor and texture that is both dense and crumbly, and is often enjoyed with butter or jam.

Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread • authentic recipe! (2)

oat flour enriches this rustic soda bread

I’ve used one of my favorite ingredients to bump up the flavor and texture of this Irish oatmeal soda bread ~ oat flour! It’s naturally sweet, and adds so much to almost anything you bake. And guess what? You don’t need to go out and buy anything special, you can whip up your own by processing regular oats, either rolled or steel cut, in a food processor or high speed blender. I used my Vitamix and it took less than a minute. The resulting flour is silky and really delicious. For more details, check out my post about how to make your own oat flour.

Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread • authentic recipe! (3)

the benefits of oat flour in baking

  • Nutritional benefits: Oat flour is a good source of fiber, protein, and other nutrients, which can help to make bread recipes like this Irish oatmeal soda bread more nutritious and filling.
  • Moisture retention: Oat flour has a higher water-holding capacity than many other types of flours, which can help to keep bread recipes moist and tender.
  • Binding properties: The high protein content in oat flour can help to bind bread dough together and improve its structure.
  • Flavor and texture: Oat flour can add a nutty flavor and slightly denser texture to bread recipes, which can be particularly appealing in rustic or whole-grain breads.
Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread • authentic recipe! (4)

why do we cut a cross into the top of this oatmeal soda bread?

The reason for cutting a cross in the top of Irish soda bread has both practical and symbolic significance.

Practically, cutting a cross in the top of the bread allows the heat to penetrate deeper into the dough during baking, which helps the bread cook more evenly. This technique also helps the bread to rise properly, as the cross allows the steam to escape as the bread bakes.

Symbolically, the cross is often seen as a way of blessing the bread and protecting it from evil. In traditional Irish households, it was believed that cutting a cross into the bread would ward off the devil and protect the household from harm. The cross also served as a way to divide the bread into quarters, which could represent the four provinces of Ireland or the four elements of nature.

Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread • authentic recipe! (5)

what to serve with soda bread

  • Traditional Irish Leek and Potato Soup
  • Classic New England Fish Pie Recipe
  • The Best Cottage Pie Recipe
  • Dublin Coddle ~ a quick cooking Irish stew!
  • Corn and Cheddar Cheese Chowder
  • Finnish Salmon Soup
  • Mushroom and Brie Soup
  • Potato Soup with Bratwurst

Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread

3.80 from 159 votes

Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread is a classic quick bread made in under an hour!

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Prep Time:10 minutes minutes

Cook Time:30 minutes minutes

Total Time:40 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Set oven to 425F

  • Whisk the flours, salt, and soda together in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center, and add about 1 1/2 cups of the buttermilk. Gradually mix the flour and buttermilk, adding the remaining buttermilk if your dough seems too dry. The dough will have a rough texture to it.

  • Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead briefly until it comes together. Form into an 8 inch round disk. Transfer to a baking sheet and cut a cross in the top with a sharp knife.

  • Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. It should sound hollow when you rap the bottom.

  • Let cool for a few minutes, but then enjoy it while still warm, with some good Irish butter, of course!

Video

Notes

  • If you want a real treat, Make Your own Butter to have with your bread!

NEW FEATURE! Click here to add your own private notes.

Course: bread

Cuisine: Irish

Author: Sue Moran

Keyword: baking, bread, easy, healthy, Irish, no yeast, soda bread

Nutrition

Calories: 176 kcal · Carbohydrates: 32 g · Protein: 6 g · Fat: 2 g · Saturated Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 4 mg · Sodium: 324 mg · Potassium: 118 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 2 g · Vitamin A: 58 IU · Calcium: 51 mg · Iron: 2 mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Did You Make This?We love seeing what you’ve made! Tag us on social media at @theviewfromgreatisland for a chance to be featured.

Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread • authentic recipe! (7)

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Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread • authentic recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Irish bread and Irish soda bread? ›

Irish brown bread has a deep, nutty flavor because of its wheat flour and wheat bran while soda bread uses only white flour. Soda bread is slightly sweet and more scone-like while Irish brown bread is more savory with a tender interior.

What is traditional Irish soda bread made of? ›

4 cups flour / 1 tsp baking soda / 1/2 tsp baking soda / thimble full of caraway seeds (1 tbsp) / 1 cup raisins/ 2 cups buttermilk (or milk with lemon juice or vinegar). Mix all dry ingredients, add buttermilk/ mix until it is blended/ place on floured cutting board and kneed and roll into a flat round loaf.

What is the myth behind Irish soda bread? ›

Contrary to a common misconceptions, the Irish did not import the Soda Bread recipe from the American Indians. This misconception is my fault because 30+ years ago on the original site I happened to mention Native Americans using Potash to make bread.

Why is my Irish soda bread gummy? ›

And finally, don't immediately cut into the Fast Irish Soda bread when you pull it out of the oven. Although this bread is best served warm, cutting into it too quickly will turn the bread gummy.

Why does Irish soda bread not need yeast? ›

For this reason, the reality is that Irish soda bread is much closer to a quick bread or scone than a loaf of bread. It rises thanks to a process called chemical leavening, in which the baking soda (a base) reacts when it's mixed with something acidic like buttermilk to produce carbon dioxide.

Does all Irish soda bread have caraway seeds? ›

In the United States, "Irish soda bread" generally means a somewhat sweet white bread made with eggs and butter and studded with raisins and caraway seeds — the "soda" in the name comes from the baking soda (or "bread soda" in Ireland) used to leaven it instead of yeast and kneading.

How are you supposed to eat Irish soda bread? ›

How to Eat Irish Soda Bread. This versatile bread works for any meal, but Irish soda bread is a natural for breakfast, whether simply spread with (Irish) butter and jam or alongside that hearty fry-up known as a full Irish breakfast. It's also wonderful with a cup of tea in the afternoon or as a late-night snack.

Do they eat Irish soda bread in Ireland? ›

They do, however, eat Irish soda bread in Ireland. They eat itat breakfast with tea. They eat it at lunch with cheese. And theyeat it at dinner alongside their entrees.

Is Irish soda bread eaten in Ireland? ›

Soda bread is a type of bread that uses baking soda instead of yeast as a leavening agent. It is a traditional bread in Ireland and has been a staple food for many Irish families for centuries.

Why cut a cross in Irish soda bread? ›

The Southern Irish regions bake their loaves in a classic round fashion and cut a cross on top of the bread. This was done for superstitious reasons, as families believed a cross on top of the bread would let the fairies out or ward off evil and protect the household.

Is Irish soda bread bad for you? ›

Nutrition Notes

Whole-wheat soda bread is a healthy addition to your plate! One serving—a 1/2-inch-thick slice—provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

What is another name for Irish soda bread? ›

Irish soda bread has a couple of other names, too: When we attended a class at the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland, they made this loaf and called it a Spotted Dog. It's also called white soda bread, American Irish soda bread, or fruit soda bread.

Should Irish soda bread dough be wet? ›

You're looking for a dough that's soft but not overly sticky or wet, and that holds together enough to make a loaf that can hold its shape on the sheet pan. If the dough is dry and crumbly, add up to 1/2 cup additional buttermilk, a tablespoon or so at a time, until it comes together.

Should you refrigerate Irish soda bread? ›

Tightly wrap your leftover bread and place it in an airtight container. There's no need to refrigerate. As for how long soda bread lasts: Irish soda bread tends to dry out faster than other breads. The bread will be good for 3-4 days or up to three months if frozen.

What's the difference between soda bread and regular bread? ›

What is soda bread? Soda bread is a type of quick bread which takes its name from the baking soda (or, sodium bicarbonate) that is used as a leavening agent instead of the traditional yeast. Traditionally, soda bread is made using flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk.

What is the difference between bread and soda bread? ›

But sourdough, unlike other breads, contains lactic acid. This lactic acid neutralizes levels of phytates because it lowers the pH of the bread. As a result, sourdough bread has a higher level of available minerals and up to 62% less phytic acid than conventional bread.

What is another name for Irish Soda Bread? ›

Irish soda bread has a couple of other names, too: When we attended a class at the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland, they made this loaf and called it a Spotted Dog. It's also called white soda bread, American Irish soda bread, or fruit soda bread.

Is Irish Soda Bread better for you? ›

Yes! Between its straightforward recipe, short preparation and cooking time, and delicious taste, this is at the top of my list of bread to make! From traditional to added dried fruits, nuts and seeds, cheeses, and herbs, you can make your healthy Irish Soda Bread filled with heart healthy nutrients!

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