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.
DamselflyDiary says
I made this bread earlier this week. It is one of my favorite recipes.
Elana says
Damselfly, thanks for letting me know this is one of your favorite recipes! I hope you are well –it’s been a long winter here in Colorado!
Cynthia Fraser says
Hey Elena!
I just started Keto and I’m keeping my carb grams at 18 a day. Should I eliminate the honey in this? Do you have nutrition facts for it? Thanks very much!
Elana says
Hi Cynthia, if you are doing keto I would recommend this bread:
https://elanaspantry.com/keto-bread/
For more on nutrition info go here:
https://elanaspantry.com/nutrition-information/
Have an amazing day!
Elana
Rachel says
Dear Elena
I wonder if I can use coconut flour or any other nut or seed flour instead of almond flour in your bread recipes.
I’m trying to avoid grains and starch as much that I can
Thanks
Elana says
Rachel, here’s a nut-free bread recipe for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/nut-free-keto-bread/
Enjoy!
Elana
Rachel says
Hi
I wonder if I can replace the almond flour in the bread recipes to any other gluten free flour since I have high food sensitivities to almonds
Thanks
Elana says
Rachel, thanks for your comment! I haven’t eaten or baked with regular gluten-free flours since 2001 so not sure. Sorry I can’t be of more help with this :-)
Giedre says
Hello Elana, thank you so much for sharing these beautiful receipes with your readers. Just finished baking cranberry walnut scones which were very tasty and delighted to find a receipe for Irish soda bread. I live in Ireland and loved eating soda bread before …. I love baking with almond flour so much that sometimes I wonder whether it is wise to eat it so often as I do. In one of your posts you mentioned that you don’t eat almond food every day. I’m aware that we are all different, but could I ask you how often do you think it is wise to eat food containing almonds, or how many servings per week etc.
And big thanks again for everything you do here for us, your readers!!!!
Elana says
Giedre, I try not to eat any food every single day so that I don’t build up an allergy to it, my body is very sensitive, but we’re all biochemical individuals with different needs :-)
Amy W says
Super yummy. I threw the caraway seeds into the batter because I love them. Could not wait the full hour for it to cool…..especially after it made the house smell like heaven!
Elana says
Amy, thanks for letting me know that this is super yummy and that it make your house smell like heaven!
Peggy Harrison says
Can it be made with flax eggs?
Elana says
Peggy, I haven’t tried that so not sure, but I haven’t had flax eggs work in any of my other recipes :-)
connie says
can I substitute with Sorghum Flour (can’t have nuts)?
Elana says
Connie, thanks for your comment! I haven’t tried that so not sure. I gave up all grains including sorghum in 2001. Sorry I can’t be of more help :-)
Nancy says
Hi Elana,
I live in New England and would like to make the Irish Soda Bread and ship it to my family in North Carolina for St Patrick’s Day. Would you have a recommendation of how I should pack it for shipping? It will probably take two to three days to arrive. Thank you.
Elana says
Nancy, thanks for your comment! I haven’t tried that so not sure, if you do figure it out I hope you’ll let us know what works :-)
Catherine says
This was the first recipe I ever made of yours and it was a hit. Thank you for your email reminder about this recipe….just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Thank you!
Elana says
Catherine, thanks for letting me know this recipe is a hit!