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.
AnneB says
This is one of my FAVORITE recipes of yours … of all time! (That and the “rye” bread) I’ve been making your version since I found Paleo in 2013 and it’s become a family staple ever since. Don’t change a THING … Thanks, Elana!!
Elana says
Anne, thanks so much for letting me know this is one of your FAVORITE recipes of mine of all time!
Ellen Pickett says
I usually find that baking almond-flour breads or muffins at 350 F leaves the outside overbaked by the time the interior is done. Does baking at 350 F for 20 minutes and then leaving the bread in the oven solve that problem, or should I continue my usual practice of baking at 325 F but for a longer time?
This recipe looks so delicious, but I want to be sure of the baking instructions before I try it.
Elana says
Ellen, thanks for your comment! It sounds like your oven may need to be re-calibrated. This recipe works perfectly as written, so no need to alter it :-)
Susan says
Thank you for this recipe! I am sondering, I am on a candida cure diet. Can I replace the honey with xylitol? I can make a simple syrup with it so that it is liquid. It would be more like sugar than honey though. Please let me know what you think. I can’t use honey because of my candida situation. Also, can brown rice flour be used instead of the almond flour? Just wondering. I’ll try the almond flour first, as soon as I get some. I only have almond meal in the house right now.
Elana says
Susan, I haven’t tried that so not sure. Here’s a link to my Candida Diet Recipes page for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/candida/
I did not realize that rice flour was permitted on the Candida Diet, but I haven’t cooked with rice flour or rice products since I went grain-free in 2001 so not sure if that would work. If you do experiment I hope you’ll let us know what works :-)
Enjoy!
Elana
Emma says
I have to share! I’ve been making this soda bread at home for a while. But then the other day, I watched fat, salt, acid heat on Netflix and was inspired in the fat epidode to use this dough recipe and treat it like the focaccia they made. Same recipe, minus the raisins, sub an Italian spice blend. Seriously amazing!
Elana says
Emma, thanks for letting me know this is seriously amazing!
Glenda says
I have made this bread for several years and enjoy the taste as well as the fact that it is quick to make. Today, I started making it and did not have any raisins. I used dried cranberries and threw in some cinnamon. Very good!
I also make your cashew bread and rye bread. All of these breads satisfy my hunger and I eat less. I believe it has contributed to my weight loss of sixty-five pounds over a two year period.
Glenda
Elana says
Glenda, thanks so much for letting me know that you have enjoyed this bread recipe for several years and that my breads satisfy your hunger and have contributed to your weight loss :-)
Samantha says
Hi, Could you tell us how much Italian Seasoning you used? Thank you :)
Claire Ferrant says
Hi. I’ve been making this soda bread for a few years now, but this time I made it keto friendly by not adding the raisins & using a sweetner instead of honey, which worked well. And tonight, i’ve decided to make them into English scone shapes by using a cutter and cutting out little circles, so I can have little ones to take to work sandwiched with lashings of butter!
Elana says
Claire, that sounds amazing! So glad to hear that this has been your go-to recipe for a few years :-)
Michelle says
This was wonderful! I am usually the person who brings the less desirable healthy treats to family parties.. not this time! Everyone loved it.. even those who don’t have much of a taste for healthy baking! Thank you for sharing! Paired it with some organs honey butter made from ghee, palm oil shortening, organge zest, and honey.
Elana says
Michelle, thanks for letting me know that everyone at the party loved this bread!
Paige Price says
Elana, may I make the dough the day before and fridge it, and then bake the next day so it is warmish when served. Did the recipe last night – wow.
thanks you!
Paige
Elana says
Paige, thanks for letting me know this recipe is a wow!
Lulu says
Love this recipe. I made so many times and I’m doing it later today. Your recipes are awesome ?
Elana says
Lulu, I’m so happy to hear you love this bread!
Stacy Feldmann says
You have made my day. I have had to go onto an autoimmune paleo diet and have recently moved home to Ireland only to have to sidestep my beloved soda bread and tea Brack. I am trying this tomorrow as soon as the grocery delivery arrives was a few packets of blanched almonds for fresh grinding into flour!! Cannot wait..and to add slices of apple and raisins and sultanas for a tea Brack version….I am so excited! Sending you a great big thank you thank you hug!! xx
Elana says
Stacy, you’re welcome!
Penny says
Elana,
I’m new to paleo cooking and really wanting to find a good paleo bread.
I made the Irish soda bread tonight and it was terrible, kind of rancid tasting:( so I’m wondering what I did wrong?/: I omitted the honey as I can’t have any kind of added sugar right now.. didn’t think that would be a problem, but maybe it was?
Thank you for your feedback!
Elana says
Penny, thanks for your comment. First, it sounds like your almond flour went bad. Second, this bread recipe definitely will not work without the honey :-)
Stacy Feldmann says
Hello. I made this twice. This time it tastes really eggy. The eggs are in date and I substituted maple syrup for the honey. Do you have any idea why it might taste so eggy?
Elana says
Stacy, thanks for your comment! That’s really strange since it sounds like it came out well the first time :-)
Marlene says
Do you have nutritional info for this recipe?
Elana says
Marlene, thanks for your comment! For more on that please go here:
https://elanaspantry.com/nutrition-information/
Have an amazing day@!
Elana