As a Jew, Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread recipes aren’t part of my culinary heritage, but then again, neither is pizza.
Still, I’m always up to the challenge of creating healthy low carb recipes, whatever their provenance.
Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread
Since there is such demand, I had to create the best recipe for Irish Soda Bread around.
One of my readers from Ireland gave this low carb Irish Soda Bread recipe ten stars.
And so many others agree with her. This healthy bread recipe is so popular that it’s been shared over twenty-five thousand times!
Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 2¾ cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
- ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ cup raisins
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 pinch caraway seeds
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and raisins
- In a small bowl combine eggs, honey, and apple cider vinegar
- Mix wet ingredients into dry
- Place dough on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Form into a large flat circle around 8-inches across and 1½-inches tall
- Using a serrated knife, score top of dough ½-inch deep, in shape of a cross
- Sprinkle top of bread with caraway seeds
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, then turn off oven and leave bread in for 10 minutes
- Cool for 1 hour
- Serve
Equipment
What is Irish Soda Bread?
So, what exactly is Irish Soda Bread? According to Wikipedia:
Soda bread is a variety of quick bread in which bread soda (baking soda) is used as a raising agent rather than yeast…Other ingredients can be added such as raisins, egg or various forms of nuts.
History of Irish Soda Bread
Next, I had to learn the history of Irish soda bread, and its connection to St Patrick’s Day, or St. Paddy’s Day as it is often called.
The history of Irish Soda Bread begins in the 1830s when baking soda was first introduced to Ireland.
Gluten Free Quick Bread
Irish Soda Bread as we know it here in America, is essentially a quick bread made with inexpensive baking soda, instead of the more costly yeast.
Dairy Free Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Irish Soda Bread is typically made with buttermilk. Why is this?
The acid in the buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to create a chemical reaction that makes the bread rise.
Irish Soda Bread without Buttermilk
In order to make a dairy free Irish Soda Bread I use apple cider vinegar rather than buttermilk, resulting in this recipe for Irish soda bread without buttermilk.
How to Make Irish Soda Bread
Since it’s a quick bread, this recipe is quite simple to throw together.
It’s also customizable when it comes to add-ins. You can make Irish Soda Bread with raisins, that’s how I make mine, or try walnuts, cranberries, and the like.
Irish Soda Bread Gluten Free Recipe
Pro tip? When it comes to the dough stick to the exact ingredients in the recipe.
Almond Flour Bread Recipe for St. Paddy’s Day
I just made a couple of batches of this easy almond flour bread recipe for friends and neighbors.
This reminded me how important it is to let the bread cool for the full hour listed. The perfect crumb forms as the bread cools.
Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread Recipe
This is a healthy recipe for bread with almond flour, which is how I make my Irish Soda Bread gluten-free.
Leave out the raisins (this removes 5g of carbs per serving) and it will be close to a 1:1 keto bread.
Keto Irish Soda Bread
If you want to make a Keto Irish Soda Bread you can experiment with using zero carb sweeteners.
I haven’t tried that, so if you do, please let me know if it works.
Keto Bread Recipe
For awesome low carb bread recipes without sweeteners, try my Blueberry Lemon Keto Bread or Keto Bread which is perfect for sandwiches.
How to Store Gluten-Free Bread
To store this gluten free Irish Soda bread, cool on the counter overnight, wrap in a paper towel, seal in a plastic bag, and refrigerate for up to one week.
Low-Carb Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day
If you’re looking for food for St. Patrick’s Day, I serve this classic St. Patrick’s Day Soda Bread along with my Green Eggs recipe.
My low carb Keto Mint Chip Smoothie is another healthy St. Paddy’s Day recipe that you’ll love!
Gluten-Free Bread Recipes
Here are some of my other easy low-carb gluten-free bread recipes. Did you know that every recipe on my site is gluten free? And all the recipes in my three cookbooks are too!
Pumpkin Bread Recipe Simple
My Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread is a paleo recipe that’s a cinch to make and absolutely delicious.
Didn’t think you could find pumpkin bread with almond flour? Guess again!
When you make this healthy pumpkin bread recipe, you’ll be blown away by the autumnal smell of magical spices and fresh healthy pumpkin bread wafting through your home.
Gluten Free Banana Bread Recipe Simple
This Gluten Free Banana Bread recipe that’s simple is one of my favorites, and it’s one of yours too!
Did you know this low carb banana bread recipe is one of the most popular on my website? It’s been shared over fifty thousand times!
I knew when I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1998 that I’d need to create a gluten free banana bread recipe for my family and this one is a winner!
Low Carb Paleo Bread with Almond Flour
My Paleo Bread recipe is just a bit lighter and fluffier than my other breads and has a wonderfully nutty flavor from the flax meal.
This low carb bread with almond flour has an amazing sweet buttery taste and is another one of my popular and versatile gluten free bread recipes.
Your Favorite Gluten-Free Bread Recipe
I’m taking requests. If you did not see your favorite low carb bread recipe here, leave a comment and let me know what you’re looking for!
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives, I first shared this Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread recipe in March 2011.
Renita says
Made this today and it turned out great! One exception would be reduce baking time to 15mins as the full 20mins made the bottoms a bit burnt. Made 6 individual scone sized pieces. Will be a definite repeat.
Elana says
Thanks Renita, glad to hear this was great!
Johnelle Haglund says
I recently found this recipe, made it and my husband loves it! He just said to make more and more! Thanks!
Elana says
Johnelle, so glad you and your husband enjoyed this!
judi says
I just made this! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!! I’m a bread n butter for breakfast type of girl and this is the most incredible paleo bread that is ready to eat within an hour, easy easy easy to make and fills the house with the MOST AMAZING smell!!! My dad swore the house smelled like bread and coukdnt believe it was gluten and yeast free!
I’m in love! Crusty outside and moist inside!
I ate it with butter and blueberry preserves and tea and am Happy happy happy!!!
Elana says
Judi, you’re welcome! Glad to hear you’re in love with this recipe!
Sandy says
I love this recipe. I have made it twice and it tastes great, however, I cannot get it to rise, at all. It comes out flat and dense. Still tastes good.
The second time I sifted the dry ingredients with no difference. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Brittany says
I had the same problem. I was hoping there’d be a solution as I’m supposed to bring it to my son’s school, but oh well. I wonder if it’s still ok?
Elana says
Hi Brittany, thanks for your comment. The key to my recipes is the brands used when baking. Best results come from using the brands that are shown when clicking on the green text in the ingredients portion of the recipe. Hopefully you enjoy this Irish Soda Bread in the future and thanks for sharing your concerns! And in case you’re interested in more information on almond flour, here’s a helpful link:
https://elanaspantry.com/ingredients/almond-flour/
Elana
Jenn says
Loved this! Made it a day late instead of on St Paddy’s. However next time I’m not going to leave it in the oven for the extra 10 mins I don’t think. It looked ok before I turned the oven off and ended up slightly dry after. But it tastes great! thank you!
Elana says
Jenn, so glad to hear you loved this!
Heather V says
I just made this and it is great. Thank you Elana.
Elana says
You’re welcome Heather!
Dana H says
I love this recipe. I’ve made this several times and even friends and family who are not Paleo/grain free think its great as well. Just made it again tonight for St Patricks Day to accompany our corned beef. Yum. Thanks Elana
Elana says
Dana, so glad to hear you love this recipe!
Amy says
Thanks for this recipe. I was thinking I would have to go without. This bread definitely does the trick. I went a little shy of the 1/4t of salt but would not in the future – use the full 1/4t. Slainte!
Elana says
Amy, so glad to hear this bread definitely does the trick :-)
Erin says
I made this with cashew flour and flax seed meal and it turned out awesome! Thanks for the recipe Elana.
Elana says
Erin, great to hear this was awesome!
Sheila S says
Thank you Elana for sharing so many wonderful recipes! I just made this soda bread. I followed recipe exactly, used Honeyville Blanched Almond Flour and weighed the flour to be sure to get the correct amount (I used 11 oz), my eggs were size large. I have a thermometer in my oven so I know the temperature is correct. At the end of the cooking time the crust and bottom of the bread were quite brown but the center of the bread was still mushy and moist. Any suggestions? Wishing I followed other suggestions that recommended making two smaller loaves, I will try that next time but wondering what went wrong this time?
Janet says
Did you make a deep X in the top of the bread? That’s the purpose of doing that, to ensure the center of the bread cooks thoroughly.