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.
Bettina says
Elena, I love your recipes and posts. My grandmother was Irish and she always pointed out that soda bread is savory. If the same recipe has raisins and sugar in it it is spotted dog.. Not soda bread. I’ve made this without these two things… It’s heavy but very close to actual soda bread.
Elana says
Thanks Bettina!
Angela says
Hi!!
I tried this delicious recipe before and I love it. I cannot remember whether to heat oven to 350 degrees celcius or Fahrenheit? Please help ?? Many thanks !!
Elana says
Angela, it’s 350ºF
KC says
Hi Elana, do you think this would work as a GF sandwich bread?
Elana says
KC, Here are links to my favorite sandwich bread recipes:
https://elanaspantry.com/paleo-bread/
https://elanaspantry.com/rochels-cashew-bread/
https://elanaspantry.com/gluten-free-bread-20/
Enjoy!
Elana
michelle VanGarderen says
I’m allergic to almonds :(. Can I replace it with coconut flour?
Elana says
Michelle, those flours are very different. Here’s more information on that:
https://elanaspantry.com/paleo-baking-almond-flour-vs-coconut-flour/
Have a great day!
Elana
Muriel Kinson says
Thank you thank you thank you for your wonderful recipes. For your irish Soda Bread recipe, I would prefer to omit the honey. Does more liquid need to be added to make up for this loss?
Elana says
Muriel, You’re welcome! I haven’t tried that so not sure. If you do please let us know what works :-)
Selina says
Hi Elana – I am born and raised in Ireland and was raised on Irish Soda Bread. Now prefer to be gluten free so just bought some almond flour and will make this asap. I couldn’t find a way to just save the recipe…or even email it to myself…could you possibly add these capabilities? Am on a mini iPad in a small village in the south of France so my printing options are not convenient! I don’t expect it to do much rising as soda bread isn’t a big riser. I make a quinoa gluten free Irish Brown Bread – it’s dense but quite delicious! Thanks for all your great recipes which I keep getting through Yummly!
Beth S says
Do you use Pinterest? It is a great app that allows you to ‘pin’ pictures and recipes to ‘boards’ that are always available to access. You should definitely check it out and start pinning! Warning: it is addictive :)
Chrissie says
Yes indeed! If you start on Pinterest, you are hooked!
Grace says
Made this yesterday and it was scrumptious! Used almond meal instead of almond flour and dried cranberry instead of raisins since it was what I had in my pantry and it turned out well. Will be making this for our Easter get together. Thanks for sharing.
Elana says
Hi Grace, so glad you enjoyed the bread!
Meg says
made this recipe last night with only one drop of honey. It came out great ! Missed the Irish soda bread my Italian mom raised me on and since my allergies permit me from that, this is the next best thing
Elana says
Hi Meg, so glad you enjoyed the bread!
Taylor says
I made this bread so i would have something to bring to my St. Patrick’s party and I would say it was rather tasteless. I felt like it was missing something. I was a little disappointed that it didn’t taste like an Irish soda bread?
Taylor says
I just read your spiel about Bobs Mill and I did use this brand. I will have another try at this recipe.
Elana says
Thanks Taylor, I think you’ll love it when you do :-)
Jen says
I have been making soda bread for over 20 years now, but this year I needed to turn to a gluten free recipe for a friend. I was excited to find this recipe and the wonderful reviews. I followed the recipe to the T, except for the brand name of the almond flour and it really doesn’t look anything like the picture, it certainly didn’t rise. I’m still going to give it to my friend and I’m hopeful based on the reviews she will still like it.
Elana says
Hi Jen, the key to making this recipe successfully is using one of the brands of almond flour that I have tested and found to work. Unfortunately there are a number of brands that yield flat breads that don’t rise. For more information on the disparity between brands of almond flour and how to make my recipes work well, please see this post:
https://elanaspantry.com/ingredients/almond-flour/
I hope you enjoy this recipe next time!
Elana
Jen says
Hi Elana
Thank you for your reply, after reading more on your website about flour, I saw you said Almond meal will never work for your recipes. The bag I bought said Almond Meal/Flour. As a first timer using Almond Flour what did I know… Nothing. Maybe you could put in parentheses not Almond meal so that first timers like myself know. Off to the store to buy just Almond Flour. ??
Cristina says
I live in Ireland, and as much as I love soda bread, I can guarantee you nobody puts caraway seeds in it, it’s not traditional. :) You can put a bit of butter or ghee, it helps to soften the dough. Is the vinegar instead of the buttermilk? I’ll try this recipe (without the seeds) and will report back. x
Elana says
Cristina, the vinegar helps the dough to rise.
Anne says
Hi
This bread is fantastic. I used the egg wash and it came out just like yours. It tastes a bit like cake though and I was wondering if it might be good if I omitted the honey and put some sun dried tomatoes or something that might make it taste more like bread than cake.
Anne
Elana says
Anne, that sounds delicious! If you do experiment please let us know if it works :-)
Janet says
According to Epicurious.com, caroway seeds are not that untraditional.
“Epicurious: When did variations on the basic soda bread recipe begin to develop?
“Rory O’Connell: You can’t really put dates on them. But say, for example, having seeds in soda bread—a lot of people would completely raise their eyebrows at the idea of there being seeds in soda bread. However, the reality is that in Donegal and Leitrim there was a tradition of putting caraway seeds in bread. The likelihood is that the tradition was taken by immigrants to America.”
http://www.epicurious.com/archive/holidays/stpatricks/sodabread
Kathleen Kelly says
I’ve had both sets of grandparents immigrate to the USA from the West of Ireland: Donegal, Mayo, Kinsale area. Both of them put Caraway seeds in their soda bread. Also, I recall my mother making it with sour milk over buttermilk, and if no sour milk, she would sour it with vinegar. I never knew why until reading your note. I’m planning to give this recipe a shot today…can’t wait. I’m also thrilled I can have my Irish Soda bread (we have historically made it with gold and dark raisins and drizzled honey on the top then a little sugar on top of the honey, as our historic recipe is quite dry…meant to be served with a slab of soft butter and tea). Happy St. Patrick’s Day all.
Dee says
The caraway seeds really make the raisin flavor pop!
Elana says
Thanks Dee, I totally agree :-)