Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread

Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread offers a delicious and inclusive way to enjoy a classic Irish staple. This traditional bread, known for its dense, crumbly texture and slightly sweet flavor, is traditionally made with buttermilk and leavened with baking soda.

This recipe expertly adapts the beloved recipe using a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring everyone can experience the taste of Irish tradition.

What Is Irish Soda Bread

While its origins remain uncertain, Irish soda bread is believed to have emerged in the 19th century, utilizing readily available ingredients like buttermilk and baking soda for a quick leavened bread.

Today, it remains a symbol of traditional Irish cuisine, enjoyed for its simplicity, versatility, and unique flavor profile.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread is a delicious and versatile treat that's perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or allergies. This traditional Irish bread is made with buttermilk, baking soda, and caraway seeds, giving it a tangy flavor and a moist, crumbly texture.

Whether you're enjoying it as a breakfast, snack, or dessert, you'll love the comforting and satisfying taste of gluten-free Irish soda bread.

Jump to:

• What Is Irish Soda Bread
• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How To Make Gluten-Free Soda Bread
• Serving Suggestions
• Related Recipes
• Substitutions and Variations
• Tips for Success
• Equipment
• Storage Options
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Bread Recipes
• Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread
• Want To Save This Recipe?

Ingredients You'll Need

The key ingredients remain the same when making Irish soda bread gluten-free: flour (gluten-free), baking soda, buttermilk (or sour milk), and salt.

Choose a gluten-free flour blend that is labeled specifically for bread baking, and contains xanthan gum. Popular brands include Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Baking Flour or King Arthur Gluten-Free Baking Mix.

So, preheat your oven and get ready to enjoy the warm, inviting aroma and delicious taste of gluten-free Irish Soda Bread!

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How To Make Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Gluten-free Irish soda bread is as easy to make as regular soda bread when using a quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. King Arthur's gluten-free flour blend handles and bakes just like regular all purpose flour!

Jut cut in the flour, pull the dough together into a ball, cross hatch the top, and bake!

Cut The Butter Into The Flour

1. Preheat your oven to 375 F. Prepare a baking sheet or cast iron skillet with parchment paper laid inside. Don't worry if the parchment paper hangs over the sides, it makes it easier to lift the baked soda bread out later.
2. Measure the gluten-free flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt into a large mixing bowl and blend with a whisk.
3. Cut in butter until incorporated completely. The flour mixture will appear sandy or coarse in texture. Make a well in the center of the mixture.
4. Add the buttermilk and the egg to the well in the bowl of flour mixture. Using a spatula, fold the wet ingredients with the buttermilk and egg until you have a shaggy dough that is slightly sticky.

Shape The Dough Into A Ball

5. Turn the shaggy dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Using your hands pull the dough together into a large ball, folding it on itself about 5 to 6 times to mix it together and shape into a uniform ball.

Cut An "X" On Top Of The Dough Ball

6. Cris-cross the two pieces of parchment paper, and lay the dough ball in the middle.
7. Cut an X across the top about ½" deep.repared baking sheet or cast iron skillet on top of the piece of parchment paper. Brush top with buttermilk, butter, or leave plain.

Bake The Soda Bread

8. Bake in the center rack of the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes. Soda bread is done when the X slash is no longer wet, and the bread makes a hallow thump sound.

Pro Tip: Use a 3 or 4 quart Dutch oven and it will prevent your soda bread from spreading. The Dutch oven makes a taller ball of soda bread. It may require an additional 5 minutes baking time.

Serving Suggestions

Whether served warm with butter and jam for breakfast, alongside a hearty stew for dinner, or simply enjoyed on its own, this gluten-free Irish soda bread is sure to become a new favorite.

• Enjoy Irish Soda Bread sliced and toasted with butter, jam, or honey.
• Serve it alongside soups, stews, or salads for a complete meal.
• Use it to make delicious sandwiches with your favorite fillings.

Related Recipes

• Apple Filled Cinnamon Rolls
• Apple Flaxmeal Muffins
• Banana Pineapple Bread
• Pumpkin Scones with Maple Glaze
• Irish Soda Bread with Raisins

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few delicious variations when making this gluten-free quick bread recipe.

• Buttermilk: If you don't have buttermilk, you can create a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 ½ cups of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.
• Sugar: You can adjust the amount of sugar to your preference.
• Spices: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or caraway seeds for additional flavor variations.

Tips for Success

Here are a few tips for making soda bread:

• Use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend specifically formulated for bread baking.
• Don't overmix the dough, as this can result in a tough bread.
• The baking time may vary depending on your oven. Start checking the bread for doneness at the 50-minute mark.

Equipment

Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.

• King Arthur's Measure for Measure Gluten-Free flour
• 6 qt Enameled Dutch Oven
• 9 inch Round Cast Iron Skillet
• Parchment paper sheets, 12x16" two sheets needed

Storage Options

• Store leftover Irish Soda Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• The bread can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw before slicing and enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions

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