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.
Commenter says
Thanks for this recipe! It’s not quite what I was looking for, but best I can find… will try with changes: Stevia in place of honey (fructose not good), definitely no raisins (not traditional and unhealthy), I am gong to try replace vinegar with lemon juice too – although not sure how that’ll work (meant to avoid it too).
Elana says
You’re welcome!
Sharon Wieczorek says
Elana, we are a half-G/F family and so making everyone’s palet happy with breads and desserts is a must!
Looking for a good “no corn” cornbread (as my littlest is grain-sensitive to all but rice– no millet either). I love all you do with almond flour! Can you point the way?
Thanks for making all our lives more wonderful!
Elana says
You’re welcome Sharon! Here’s a link to my Paleo Cornbread recipe for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/low-carb-cornbread/
Enjoy!
Elana
Grace says
Thank You Thank You Thank You!! I’ve been dreaming about this
Elana says
You’re welcome Grace!
Mary Margaret Taylor says
Hello, I am writing to let you know that your Irish Soda Bread has saved me. I’ve been suffering through the anti-candida diet, with success on getting rid of candida, but feeling completely deprived of grains. I miss eating chewy things the most and this bread has saved me! I cut the number of raisins in half, so that there is a little of the flavor, but not too much sugar, and I used one tsp honey and a few drops of Stevia instead of the agave. It is delicious, and reminds me of the wonderful home-made Irish Soda bread that I had while visiting Dublin. Thank you!
Elana says
You’re welcome Mary! I’m so glad to hear this bread saved you :-)
susan carroll says
No offense but as an Irish person there would never…EVER be raisins in a soda bread. Raisins were not available when this recipe was invented. just saying ;-)
Elana says
Thanks for sharing your perspective Susan :-)
Gaby says
raisins are dried grapes and have been around for thousands of years! And btw, the Romans introduced both wine and wheat to people living north of the Alps about 2000 years ago. So, logically, both dried grapes and wheat would have arrived in Ireland at about the same time.. Of course there was no baking soda, so the recipe could only be about 150 years old
Grace says
Thanks For the wonderful recipe.This sounds so easy & perfect.
thanks!
Elana says
You’re welcome Grace!
kendra says
This was so easy and a HUGE hit at our annual St Paddy’s party. We had a ‘taste off’ between this recipe and a loaf from a local bakery (traditional- not GF) and your recipe won! I will make this year after year! Thank you!!!
Elana says
Kendra, so great to hear this was a HUGE hit and that my recipe won!
Gabs says
This was really good. I was worried because mine was a little dark when I took it out, but it was really good. I put out butter to spread on it, but the kids loved it plain. I did not miss wheat flour a bit.
Elana says
Gabs, I’m so glad to hear that you liked this so much you did not miss wheat flour a bit!
Heidi says
I don’t Usually comment on the recipes I use online, but this recipe blew my mind b/c it tastes sooo incredibly close to the wheat and dairy version!! I substituted chopped dried cherries due to my sulfite/raisin allergy and it looked like” raisins” in the bread with perfect sweetness. I also added caraway seeds to the batter AND on top as garnish. delicious! Crispy exterior and tender soft inside….yum-O!!!! Thank u for creating a gfree, dairy- free rock star recipe. This allergic girl is very happy!!!
Elana says
Heidi, thanks for letting me this was a rock star recipe!
Lindsey says
FANTASTIC!!!! Tastes very close to the wheat version :)
Elana says
Lindsey, thanks for letting me know this was FANTASTIC!