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.
Laura says
The only bad thing I can say about this bread, is that my gluten-eating husband loves it! He always shuns my gf creations, and that’s fine because the ingredients are expensive, and he ate practically this whole bread. That is the Gluten-Eaters GF Stamp of Approval!
Elana says
Laura, so great to hear that this bread received the Gluten-Eaters GF Stamp of Approval!
Damselfly says
I made this bread tonight (on St. Patty’s Day) and it tastes great! I love the contrast of the apple cider vinegar against the sweet of the raisins. I am also a crunchy crust kinda girl and this fits the bill!
BUT, my bread did not fully cook. I followed the instructions to the letter but the entire center of my bread was still like raw dough while the outside was so brown it was on the verge of burning. I cut out the center and ate the edges but I did waste a lot.
When I make this again, I think I will make two smaller loaves that will have a chance to cook through. I have resorted to using my cupcake tin for most breads as I have found that the smaller cupcake size allows gluten free items to cook more evenly. Every loaf of gluten free banana bread I have ever made have been raw in the middle – but that hasn’t happened once to the cupcake size. So I am applying that same cooking theory to the Irish Soda Bread – smaller is better.
As always, thanks Elana for always coming up with new ideas and reinventions of classic favorites!
elana says
Hi Damselfly,
Thanks for your comment, I would be happy to help you trouble shoot this recipe.
First, what type of flour did you use? Second, if you were using almond flour, was it blanched? What brand? As that can make a difference as well in the outcome of my recipes :-)
Elana
Damselfly says
HA! HA! I just saw your response to my post today (a year later) when I went to look at Irish Soda bread recipes for St. Patty’s Day today!
To answer your question, I always use Honeyville blanched almond flour in my recipes.
I have made this recipe since as two smaller loaves and it worked fine. Unfortunately for me, I decided to try a different recipe this year and I didn’t like how it turned out! Boo hoo. I am switching back to your recipe next time!!
Thanks for everything you do!
Elana says
You’re welcome!
Susan says
Faith & beggorah to ye……The bread is a success…i cheated and used greek yogurt for liquid and erythritol for sweetener. I wanted to use currants, too, as my Irish in laws would….but alas…I cut up raisins and used less.. Didn’t want the extra carbs..But Wonderful recipe…Thanks!!!
Elana says
Susan, thanks for letting us know this was wonderful!
pat hardcastle says
why do you have rye bread on your gluten free site when it is full of gluten. be ok if labeled wheat free
Kathy says
If you actually look at the recipe: https://elanaspantry.com/dark-rye-bread/
there is no gluten in it! as a matter of fact, ALL of Elana’s recipes do not contain gluten or grains…
herbalchef says
I found the loaf to be rather dry, but tasty for sure. Next time I will add a bit more liquid and perhaps some orange zest. I didn’t read the comments before making it and used the called for raisins. Next time currents. I am hoping my oven temp isn’t off and that is what caused the dryness.
Elana says
Herbalchef, this bread is too dry when almond meal is used instead of the almond flour listed in the recipe :-)
Maredith says
Thank you Elana! I looked and looked last year for an Irish Soda Bread recipe that was grain free, and came up empty handed. This one was perfect. We have made three this week! (School celebrations, etc.) Subbed Honey for the agave to make it SCD legal. super yummy.
Elana says
Maredith, so great to hear this was perfect!
victoria says
Hi Elana, Have you tried multiplying this recipe? I’d like to make four loaves. Do you suggest I do each one separately, or will it work to quadruple the recipe and have enough dough to divide into four? Thank you.
Elana says
Victoria, I would recommend making 4 separate loaves, I don’t think this recipe will work if you quadruple it :-)
Tammy says
can I use a different type of vinegar? I cannot have apple cider vinegar.
Elana says
Tammy, I’m not sure that will work :-)
Cindy says
You MADE my St. Patricks Day!!! Just today I was at the store buying my corned beef, and wondered what I was going to do for my Irish Soda bread this year… and was lamenting that it wouldn’t be the same with out it… NOW I can have it in a gluten free version!!! YAY!!!
Elana says
Cindy, happy to hear this made your St. Patrick’s Day!
Tammy says
I cannot have vinegar or buttermilk. any suggestions on a substitute? can I add lemon juice to almond milk? and if so, how much almond milk and how much lemon juice?
Elana says
Tammy, I haven’t tried that so not sure :-)