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    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free Baking

    Published: Mar 1, 2021 by Jen Wooster

    Gluten-Free Soda Bread

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    gluten free soda bread photo collage

    Irish Soda Bread is probably the most famous no-yeast bread in the world. Our gluten-free soda bread recipe is also dairy-free and nut-free. But you would never know, it tastes just like the traditional savory soda bread made with wheat flour.

    Soda bread is unique because it traditionally has very few ingredients and only takes 5 minutes of prep time before baking. While it has a tighter structure than yeast bread, it still has a proper crumb.

    If you have made either our banana quick bread or our unleavened flatbreads with success, then this recipe will be easy peasy for you!

    GF soda bread on cutting board with towel and bread knife
    Gluten Free Soda Bread

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to:
    • 🍞Common Questions About Soda Bread
    • 🧾Ingredients
    • ⏲️Baking Instructions
    • 💭How to Make Sweet Irish Soda Bread
    • 🥗More Irish Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Gluten Free Soda Bread
    • ⭐Reviews

    🍞Common Questions About Soda Bread

    Where did soda bread originate?

    In the late 19th century Ireland had a shortage of commercially available yeast. So home cooks turned to a newly available leavening agent- baking soda.

    Does soda bread use yeast?

    No, soda bread does not contain yeast. Instead it uses baking soda as its main leavening agent.

    How does soda bread get its rise?

    Originally, baking soda was highly alkaline. When combined with buttermilk which is acidic, it created the perfect chemical reaction during baking to give the bread a rise.

    Do you need buttermilk to make soda bread?

    When soda bread was originally invented buttermilk wasn't pasteurized which made it high in acid. Today, pasteurized buttermilk is significantly less acid. Meaning you don't need buttermilk to create the same chemical reaction.

    Instead, we now add baking powder. Baking powder is a mix of baking soda and cream of tartar, sometimes it also contains cornstarch.

    Do you have to knead soda bread?

    Because there is no gluten in our version, and no yeast in any version of soda bread. You do not need to knead or proof soda bread.

    🧾Ingredients

    • Your favorite gluten-free flour blend (I used Bob's Red Mill)
    • Xanthan gum 
    • Baking soda
    • Baking powder
    • Kosher salt
    • Lemon juice
    • Eggs
    • Oat milk

    This is one of the rare recipes where we actually add additional xanthan gum beyond what is in your flour blend. Additional xanthan gum is needed because this is such a wet and sticky dough.

    While we don't need buttermilk for this soda bread recipe, we do include lemon juice for a bit of tang.

    Finally, this recipe calls for one egg plus one egg yolk. Eggs are not traditionally used in soda bread but I have included them in the recipe because it gives the gluten-free flour a better texture.

    ⏲️Baking Instructions

    This no-yeast quick bread comes togheter in just a few minutes. Preheat the oven to 450 F degrees before gathering ingredients so it has time to heat up.

    In a medium bowl, stir together flour blend, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and xanthan gum. If you are making out the sweet version below, add your sugar now.

    Stir in the eggs and lemon juice. Gradually pour in the oat milk until the dough comes together in a slightly sticky ball. Again, if you are making the sweet version, add your raisins now.

    Gently stir the dough with a spatula and until it loosely comes together. Rest the dough for 15 minutes. Gluten-free flours need to rehydtrate before baking.

    Using your hands to form the dough into a ball, place it on your prepared pan. Cut an "X" on the top, about a half-inch deep.

    soda bread dough in pot

    Our gluten-free soda bread recipe will have you bake the bread at 450 F for 5 minutes. Then reduce the heat, WITHOUT OPENING THE OVEN, to 350 F degrees.

    Bake the bread for an dditional 30 to 40 minutes. Traditional soda bread will be golden brown and the bottom will sound hollow when tapped. Remove the bread from the pan and place on a cooling rack.

    Cool completely before slicing, this will take 2 to 4 hours.

    💭How to Make Sweet Irish Soda Bread

    While this gluten-free soda bread is savory, sweet versions are also very popular. I prefer the sweeter version with tea or coffee, either at breakfast or an afternoon snack.

    To convert this soda bread recipe to a sweet version you will need:

    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 cup raisins or dried currents

    Add the sugar with the other dry ingredients. The raisins can be added along with the oat milk.

    soda bread sliced with dairy-free butter

    🥗More Irish Recipes

    While soda bread is great any time of the year, I always make it with my traditional St. Patrick's day menu. Serve with a Glutenberg Stout or your favorite whiskey.

    Dairy-Free Colcannon

    Every Irish family has their special colcannon recipe. I converted my husband's tried and true traditional Irish recipe to a dairy-free version.
    go to recipe Pin for later
    dairy free colcannon potatoes in a white serving bowl

    Nitrate- Free Corned Beef

    Easy to make nitrate-free grassfed corned beef. Needs approximately 7 days to cure before cooking.
    go to recipe Pin for later
    sliced corned beef brisket on a white plate

    Gluten-Free Spice Cake

    Soft and moist gluten-free molasses spice cake with hints of ginger, cinnamon, and clove. The perfect balance of sweet and spice. Dairy-free.
    go to recipe Pin for later
    gluten free spice cake decorated with candied oranges

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    soda bread on cutting board with slices cut

    Gluten Free Soda Bread

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    A gluten free take on the classic Irish soda bread. This savory soda bread is perfect for everyday, and with your traditional St. Patrick's day dinner.
    4.43 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Baking, Bread
    Cuisine American, Irish
    Servings 6
    Calories 243 kcal

    Equipment

    • Small baking dish

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups gluten free flour blend I used Bob's Red Mill
    • ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum add an additional ½ teaspoon if not in your flour blend
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 whole egg beaten
    • 1 egg yolk beaten
    • 1 cup oat milk

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 450°. Lightly grease a small stockpot or cast iron pan and set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, stir together flour blend, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and xanthan gum.
    • Stir in the eggs and lemon juice. Gradually pour in the oat milk until the dough comes together in a slightly sticky ball.
    • Gently stir the dough with a spatula and until it loosely comes together. Rest the dough for 15 minutes.
    • Using your hands to form the dough into a ball, place it on your prepared pan. Cut an "X" on the top, about a half inch deep.
    • Bake at 450°F for 5 minutes; reduce heat to 350°F, and bake 30 minutes longer or until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing, about 4 hours. 

    Video

    Notes

    • This type of gluten-free bread is best eaten the same day.
    • Leftovers should be tightly wrapped and stored at room temptautre. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 243kcal | Carbs: 48g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Fiber: 7g
    Keyword gluten free irish soda bread, gluten free soda bread
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

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    • Gluten-Free Rainbow Cookies
    • Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Chocolate Souffle Cake (Flourless)
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lisa says

      October 25, 2022 at 3:36 am

      1 star
      Inedible, followed the recipe - was hard on the outside totally gummy inside even with the 40 min mentioned in the steps. Waste of time and money, things are expensive now with inflation plus using gluten free flour.

      Reply
      • Jen Wooster says

        October 25, 2022 at 8:10 am

        I am sorry that it didn't rurn out for you. Did you use buttermilk or the dairy free milk plus lemon juice?

        Reply
    2. Shelly says

      March 05, 2021 at 7:28 am

      5 stars
      A great gluten free version of soda bread and I love that it doesn't use buttermilk.

      Reply
      • Jen says

        March 05, 2021 at 7:29 am

        Thanks for the review!

        Reply

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    Welcome Friends!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

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