This simple Soda bread recipe is a doddle to make. It doesn’t use yeast so there’s no kneading or proving involved, which means it can be created in no time at all. There’s no need to panic at the sight of an empty bread bin ever again… discover how.
Soda Bread is a traditional Irish bread, there’s no yeast involved so there’s no need for any lengthy proving process. It is amazingly quick to pull together and at its most delicious when eaten fresh. It does make awesome toast the day after, however.
This extremely simple Soda Bread recipe is the one we’ve used at home for years so it’s kind of like an old friend. I add seeds to it, use different flours, use different combinations of flours and/or oats. The version I’m sharing today is made with 50% white and 50% wholemeal plain flours. This bread is quite versatile.
Can I make Soda Bread without Buttermilk?
This easy Soda Bread recipe needs buttermilk as it’s the reaction between the lactic acid in the buttermilk and the baking soda that causes the bread to rise – hence no need for yeast. Don’t have any buttermilk? No need to despair, you can make a fantastic buttermilk substitute using milk (I use oat milk) by adding a little lemon juice. Works every time.
I’ve added the information you need to make your own buttermilk substitute in the recipe box below. If you’re curious, the simplest way to do this is to measure out 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into the cup and then top it up with the milk so that it makes one entire cup. I hope that makes sense. You want one cup of liquid made up of the lemon juice and the milk. (Then you add in other 2/3 cup of milk to make 1 2/3 cups altogether.)
Soda bread is always scored with a cross on the top before baking. I always hoped that it was because it helped it to cook through more efficiently but I’ve read in countless places that it has a deeper purpose. It’s believed that it helps to ward off the devil. So, make sure you score that cross!
Ingredients
- flour – plain or all-purpose flour is best for this bread. Bread flour will change the texture too much. I’ve tried both types of flour and plain white flour will give a lovely loaf.
- buttermilk – along with the bicarbonate of soda (also known as bread soda) helps the bread to rise.
- salt – gives flavour.
- bicarbonate of soda – is there as a raising agent. It reacts with the buttermilk and helps to create a nice, light soda bread.
What flour should I use?
A plain or all-purpose flour is the best choice for this type of bread. Bread flour doesn’t work as well as it makes a denser loaf.
I like making this simple soda bread with half white flour and half wholemeal flour as I think that it has more flavour and there are lots of good things nutritionally in wholemeal flour. If you decide to use all white flour you may need to reduce the amount of buttermilk that you use.
Making simple Soda Bread – the method
This is incredibly simple.
Measure the flour or flours and add in the salt and the bicarbonte of soda. Stir the ingredients together to ensure that everything is evenly distributed through the mix.
Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk. Stir briefly with a spatula or wooden spoon until the mixture starts to come together. Then using your hands – you may wish to flour them a little to stop dough from sticking to you – bring the dough together into a rough ball.
Sometimes, if the flour refuses to come together you may need to add a little extra milk or buttermilk if you have it. Just add a little at a time. This happens because different flours absorb moisture differently. If you bake much you’ll have experienced this before.
Flour a work surface and turn out the dough, knead it briefly to make it smooth. You don’t want to overwork it as this will make it tough. So restrain yourself.
Score the top with a cross, cutting about 2/3 way through the dough to get the traditional soda bread appearance.
Place in a pre-heated oven for 30 minutes then take the bread out of the oven and turn it upside down and bake for another 15 minutes. (This is something I learned from a Mary Berry recipe and it works well. Thank you Mary.)
The bread is ready when it is golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap it on the base.
If you’d like a softer crust wrap it in a tea towel whilst warm. Otherwise, just set it out on a cooling rack for a moment or two before serving.
How to store Soda Bread
Store this easy to make Soda bread in a bread bin, wrapped in either cling film or a bag. Something that will prevent it from drying out.
All Soda bread is best eaten on the day that it’s made. However the following day it can be toasted – spread it with your favourite jam – this is delicious.
If you happen to have the oven on, warming it through for 5 to 10 minutes will freshen it nicely and warm bread is irresistible.
Can I freeze Soda Bread?
Baked Soda bread freezes successfully and will last up to 3 months in the freezer. When you are ready to eat it, defrost by leaving it on the counter top and then place it in a warm oven for between 5 to 10 minutes and it will be delicious.
Variations to the basic recipe
- Add some chopped up rosemary to the mix. This is particularly delicious if you serve this bread with cheese.
- Add some pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to the mixture.
- Add some rolled oats which will add a nice texture to the bread. (To do this replace 50g of the flour with the same weight of rolled oats.)
- Make it with all white flour but you may need to reduce the amount of buttermilk to compensate.
How to serve Soda Bread
- serve with soup, casserole or stew.
- serve it with cheese; cheddars and cream cheese
- spread with your favourite jam
- just as it comes with butter or non-dairy spread
If this recipe suitable for vegans
Yes it is, provided you make a non-dairy buttermilk. I often make a non-dairy version by following the instructions below, with oat milk. This works really well.
I hope that you really enjoy making this Soda bread and that it becomes a favourite bread of yours too.
What’s your favourite topping on Soda bread?
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Other Breads…
This makes the perfect accompaniment to …. soups..
and to a few other goodies….
How to make Simple Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain flour white all-purpose flour
- 2 cups wholemeal flour plain flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda bicarbonate of soda, bread soda
- 1 2/3 cups buttermilk
- a little milk may be needed to incorporate all of the flour
Buttermilk Substitute (for this recipe)
- 1 2/3 cups milk – scant measure dairy milk or plant based milk – I use oat milk successfully
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 390F/180C Fan/ 200C/Gas 6.
- Line a large baking tray with baking parchment or alternatively grease with oil.
- Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the buttermilk.
- Mix it together using a spatula and then use your hands to bring it together to form a dough. If it resists coming together add a little milk – but only add a very small amount.
- Dust a clean work surface with a little flour and turn the dough out onto it.
- Knead it very lightly for just as long as it takes for it form a nice smooth ball. This should only be for a minute or so at the most. Over kneading the dough will make it tough.
- Place on the baking tray.
- Score the top of the dough to form a cross. This needs to be at least 2/3 of the way down so that the cross doesn't disappear whilst baking.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Then take it out of the oven and turn it upside down and cook for a further 15 minutes, when it should be golden brown and beautifully risen. It is cooked when tapping the base sounds hollow.
- Leave to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes and then serve.
- If you want a softer crust wrap it in a tea towel when it comes out of the oven.
To make the buttermilk substitute
- Mix a scant cup of your preferred milk with 2 tablespoon of lemon juice. Add a further 2/3 cup of milk to have the right amount for this recipe. You should see it begin to curdle fairly quickly which is exactly what you need it to do.
Notes
Nutrition
Why not Pin this Simple Soda Bread recipe for later?
This looks so good and easy to make.. thanks for sharing.. I’d love to give it a try..
This Soda Bread is seriously amazing! So easy, simple and delicious!
This soda bread was perfect! We eat a lot of soda bread in our family but it always turns out too dense. I loved how this wasn’t dense!
I am always looking for quick and easy everyday recipes! Thanks for another one to add to my collection! 😉
I can’t believe how easy soda bread is to make! I love that there is no yeast and the recipe can be made vegan by using plant based milk. This will be a staple in my house from now on. It’s delicious!
So simple and so comforting! Love the recipe!
There’s nothing better than the smell of fresh bread baking! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Yuum! I made this in a gluten-free version and it was so good! Thanks!
This is absolutely amazing! Never made bread using baking soda, so I am super curious to try this!
I had no idea that baking bread could be so easy! This soda bread is great with some butter and jam on it. I usually have all the ingredients already in the pantry so I will be making this for the family often!
My (irish) Nanna use to make this all the time, and it was delicious, something they don’t mention as an idea of how to eat, we ALWAYS had it with irish butter and a fried egg on top!!!! but you also want the crusts to dip into the yolk!!!! so good!!!!!
That’s a lovely memory to have. I hope that you eat this soda bread the same way for maximum deliciousness.