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.
Alysa Wishingrad says
Thanks for this recipe. FYI I had to increase the baking time by a total of 20 minutes or so. I do have a quite reliable, convection oven but at the cooking time you recommended the dough was still gummy. But good taste and texture once it cooked through
Elana says
You’re welcome Alysa!
AnnaP says
I also have absolutely no Irish connections whatsoever but was looking around for something yummy & GF to sink my teeth into – this looks yummy & I can’t wait to try it! It looks like it’d be another yummy breakfast bread :)
Elana says
Thanks Anna!
Ilona says
Help! What am I doing wrong? The dough stays pretty wet, following above instructions. Then when I form into a round circle, it does not rise. It stays the exact same height as when I put into the oven.
What am I doing wrong? I could smell the reaction to the apple cider and baking soda ( just bought both so they are very fresher), smelled like bread ” happening”.
Please let know what you think could be the issue. Is it because I live at sea level? Hmmm
Looking forward to your feedback
Elana says
Ilona, this usually happens when the recommended brand of almond flour is not used :-)
Rachel Thibault says
Chère Elena, merci! Est-ce qu’un jour vos livres de recettes pourraient être traduites en français? J’ai commandé votre livre mais je ne lis pas l’anglais. Je vais devoir trouver quelqu’un pour m’aider pour traduire les recettes mais je voulais absolument l’avoir. Merci Rachel
LoveJ62 says
Hi Elana!
First of all, I make this bread all the time; it is a blessing in our GF house.
I also made a happy little accident with this bread. I was sleep-deprived and accidentally added a tbsp. of vanilla to the dough, and the result was a delicious sweet bread that would be a great substitute for coffee cake.
I think the next time I make it I will add some cinnamon crumble to the top and voila!
Thanks again for a stunning recipe!
Elana says
So glad to hear this bread is a blessing in your house!
Adriana says
Thank you for ALL you do. Your recipes are so easy to follow, quickly assembled and delicious. This soda bread is so very tasty, I am always amazed after I try a new recipe here, it is a million times better than any gluten free item purchased at the health food store.
Elana says
Adriana, I’m so glad to hear that my recipes are a million times better than any gluten-free items that you purchase!!!
Rachel R says
Has anyone ever tried turning this (or other breads) into a sourdough?
Elana says
Rachel, I haven’t tried that but would also love to hear if anyone else experiments with this!
Lisa H says
Hi Elana, thanks so much for providing this recipe….I have been GF for about 2 months now and am feeling much better. I REALLY miss bread and have tried a bunch of bread recipes from other sites and a couple of cookbooks, yuck! I am vegan as well, so don’t use eggs and I have a hard time with sugar. I suppose that’s why a lot of the bread didn’t rise or was really gooey. When I read your recipe, I knew I had to try it. I used egg replacer and don’t have a scale to weigh the flour, so when the batter was too sticky, I just added another 1/4 c. I think I flattened it out too much, to about 1in. and it didn’t look smooth like yours. I don’t care for caraway, so added a heaping tsp. cinnamon to the batter and sprinkled more on top. Baby, was it good!!!!! My poor husband has been the “beneficiary” of all my experiments and he eats them whether they are gooey or not:-(, but this one is MINE!!! I bought your cookbook immediately and look forward to more goodies. Thanks again and again and again!
Elana says
Lisa, you’re welcome! Great to hear this was so good that you’re keeping it all for yourself!
Robin Young says
Thank you for what you do, and for posting so many FREE recipes. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 4 months ago, and recently with Rheumatoid arthritis, research has now showed me what the doctor’s haven’t that they are both auto immune disorders. If I want to keep from getting worse, and have any hope of getting my present symptoms under control I need to do some major diet modifications: basically grain free, sugar free and dairy free (at least for a while). I was actually getting quite scared, not finding ANY recipes that had foods that I would be able to eat. Then I found YOU. My nervous stomach has subsided and my anxiety has calmed down, and seeing how you are handling this, as just a part of the way you live your life gives me hope that I too can change and start over on a new healthy path. Thanks again for what you do. Robin
Elana says
Robin, it’s so nice to meet you! I’m so glad we are on this healing path together :-)
Sarah says
This turned out great! I used Honeyville Unblanched almond flour and maple syrup instead of the agave. I only had about 2 T of raisins left, but that seemed plenty (they were tiny raisins, almost more like currants so they were well distributed). It’s really tasty with a big smear of butter on it!
Elana says
Thanks Sarah! Great to hear this was really tasty :-)