Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread • Recipe for Perfection (2024)

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This gluten free Irish soda bread recipe was sponsored by Cooking with 7 Kids. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Simple gluten free Irish soda bread containing just flour, salt, sugar, baking soda, and buttermilk. Inspired by traditional soda bread recipes.

Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread • Recipe for Perfection (1)

Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread

When it comes to Irish soda bread, I’m a bit of a purist. No currants allowed! The time-tested combination of flour, salt, sugar, baking soda, and buttermilk is good enough for me.

The traditional soda bread recipe uses all purpose flour (soft wheat) as opposed to bread flour (hard wheat), because all purpose flour has less gluten. That means that since gluten isn’t as essential for this type of bread, it’s much easier to make it using gluten free flour.

Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread • Recipe for Perfection (2)

It’s a very easy gluten free Irish soda bread recipe, and there are a few secrets to making it come out perfect.

First, there’s the importance of a hot oven. Preheating the oven is crucial. I like to bring the oven up to temperature first, before I start making the dough. This allows the oven to get really evenly heated.

Second, there’s the baking stone. You can make gluten free Irish soda bread without a baking stone, but truly, it’s a secret weapon. When you preheat the stone inside the oven (while the oven is preheating), you create a perfect surface for baking. As soon as your dough hits the hot stone, bam! It starts springing upward and cooking at the proper speed.

My baking stone is a medium round pizza stone from Pampered Chef.

Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread • Recipe for Perfection (3)Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread • Recipe for Perfection (4)

When I shop Pampered Chef, I always choose Cooking with 7 Kids as my consultant. Cooking with 7 Kids was created by Gregory and Kimberly Cook, whose seven children help out in the family business and in the kitchen.

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The Cook Family

As a family, they cook a lot—out of necessity! In addition tofollowing their cooking adventures on their blog, you can find them cooking up a storm on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

One of the reasons that I chose Cooking with 7 Kids as my Pampered Chef consultant is that for every sale they make through Pampered Chef, they make a 10% donation to World Vision. This donation goes specifically to World Vision’s fund for Hurricane Maria relief in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

If you’d like to make your purchase count, you can shop directly right here, or you can host a virtual party right here. After your purchase or party, Cooking with 7 Kids will make the donation to the World Vision Hurricane Maria fund and email the donation receipt to you within 2 business days.

Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread • Recipe for Perfection (6)

Now that you’re ready to be fully kitted out with all the best kitchen gear, let’s go over a couple of final details about making gluten free Irish soda bread.

To keep the bread from becoming too stick or gummy on the inside, you must treat it delicately while it is dough. Don’t over-mix! Mix it until it just comes together, and knead it for a few seconds just enough to make itinto a loaf. Then, when you bake it, err on the side of overbaking. Underbaking = not enough moisture evaporated = gumminess. Got it? Good.

P.S. You can add currants if you really want to. And while you’re here, check out my gluten free shortbread cookies recipe, or visit my other blog for anIrish Potato Candyrecipe!

Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread • Recipe for Perfection (7)

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Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread

Simple gluten free Irish soda bread containing just flour, salt, sugar, baking soda, and buttermilk. Inspired by traditional soda bread recipes.

CourseBread

CuisineIrish

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 260 kcal

Author Katie Moseman

Ingredients

  • 4 1/4cupsgluten free flourI used Bob's Red Mill 1-to1 Baking Flour
  • 1teaspoonsalt
  • 1teaspoongranulated sugar
  • 1 1/2teaspoonsbaking soda
  • 2 1/2cupsbuttermilkplus more if needed

Instructions

  1. If you have a baking stone, place it in the oven on the middle rack. Preheat the oven to 400 F.

  2. Combine the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until thoroughly combined.

  3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk, then mix lightly with a fork until the dough comes together. It will be a little powdery, but if it doesn't stick together, drizzle 1 more tablespoon of buttermilk at a time over the dough until it comes together while mixing. Behavior of the dough will vary depending on what type of flour you're using.

  4. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently for 20 seconds. Form the dough into one even ball, then use a very sharp chef's knife to cut into 2 equal halves.

  5. Gently shape each piece into a round ball and flatten slightly. Each loaf should be evenly round with a domed top. Use your knife to slash a cross into the top of each loaf. Sprinkle a bit of flour over the top of each loaf for a decorative touch.

  6. Place the loaves on a piece of parchment on a baking sheet, or place them on your preheated baking stone (parchment optional). Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the tops of the loaves are golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread

Amount Per Serving

Calories 260Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 8mg3%

Sodium 574mg25%

Potassium 101mg3%

Carbohydrates 50g17%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 125IU3%

Calcium 129mg13%

Iron 2.3mg13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Check out the Cooking with 7 Kids blogand shop theirPampered Chefpage!

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Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread • Recipe for Perfection (9)

Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread • Recipe for Perfection (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to making good gluten free bread? ›

Tips and Techniques to make better Gluten Free Bread
  1. Use psyllium husk powder.
  2. Let the dough rest (not exactly the same as a bulk proof)
  3. Mix or knead thoroughly.
  4. Use less yeast.
  5. Bake in a tin with tall sides.
  6. Bake for longer, often at a lower temperature.
  7. Create steam in the oven.
  8. Use the tangzhong or scalded flour method.
Jun 14, 2022

What's the difference between Irish bread and Irish soda bread? ›

However, the two loaves differ pretty significantly from there. Irish brown bread has a deep, nutty flavor because of its wheat flour and wheat bran while soda bread uses only white flour. Soda bread is slightly sweet and more scone-like while Irish brown bread is more savory with a tender interior.

Why is it so challenging to make good gluten free bread? ›

Making a good gluten-free bread can be challenging as gluten plays an important role in bread making. Gluten is what allows bread dough to stretch without breaking, and works with the yeast to create a good rise and sturdy structure.

Why did my Irish soda bread fall apart? ›

Too much liquid added, or it hasn't been baked enough. It should go on the top shelf of the oven and it should be baked for at least 30-35 minutes.

What is the best flour for gluten-free bread? ›

What's the best gluten-free flour for baking? Bob's Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 baking mix is my favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for baking. It has a mild texture and plenty of "stick" thanks to a blend of sweet rice flour, brown rice flour, and sorghum flour, plus some starches and xanthan gum.

Why add vinegar to gluten-free bread? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar – Superpower your Gluten-Free Kitchen! Apple cider vinegar is often used in baking, but why? It is a great leavening agent, but it also has powerful flavour enhancing properties. I find it adds the perfect amount of depth of flavour, and helps activate baking soda creating a lovely airy texture.

Why do Americans put raisins in Irish soda bread? ›

He explained that in some regions of Ireland, they might add dried fruit to soda bread on special occasions only. Throughout much of Irish history, dried fruit would have been considered a luxury item. Irish cooks would only be able to add raisins when they had raisins to spare, which would have been a rare occurrence.

What is Irish soda bread called in Ireland? ›

In Ulster, the wholemeal variety is usually known as wheaten bread and is normally sweetened, while the term "soda bread" is restricted to the white savoury form. In the southern provinces of Ireland, the wholemeal variety is usually known as brown bread and is almost identical to the Ulster wheaten.

How do you make gluten-free bread rise higher? ›

Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free location. Ideal rise temperatures are between 80°F – 90°F; higher temperatures may kill the yeast and keep the dough from rising; Lower temperatures will slow the yeast activity which will increase your rise time. Chef's Mazor tips for a maximum dough rise: Heat for 2 min.

Why is my homemade gluten-free bread so dense? ›

Dense loaf- you may need to use more liquid, gluten free dough is usually wetter than regular wheat flour dough resembling a thick brownie batter. How much liquid is enough in a recipe ultimately depends not on formulas but in observation. You may need more or less liquid than the recipe specifies.

What is the trick to baking with gluten free flour? ›

Gluten-free flours often contain fine starches, so they absorb more liquid than conventional flour. To address this, gluten-free recipes usually call for more liquid and produce looser batters. They may also call for a larger quantity of leavening, like baking powder, to help add volume and lighten the texture.

What is the key ingredient in Irish soda bread that makes it different from other breads? ›

Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that does not require any yeast. Instead, all of its leavening comes from baking soda and buttermilk. This Irish soda bread recipe is my grandmother's and has been cherished in my family for years. It's dense, yet soft and has the most incredible crusty exterior.

How to tell if Irish soda bread is done? ›

The most traditional doneness test calls for thumping the hot bread in the center to hear if it's hollow-sounding. A more foolproof indication is temperature; the loaf will register 200°F to 205°F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted in the center of the bread. Let the bread cool.

Why is my Irish soda bread gummy? ›

And finally, don't immediately cut into the Fast Irish Soda bread when you pull it out of the oven. Although this bread is best served warm, cutting into it too quickly will turn the bread gummy.

Is there a trick to baking with gluten free flour? ›

Gluten-free flours often contain fine starches, so they absorb more liquid than conventional flour. To address this, gluten-free recipes usually call for more liquid and produce looser batters. They may also call for a larger quantity of leavening, like baking powder, to help add volume and lighten the texture.

What binds gluten free bread? ›

When making gluten-free breads, flatbreads, etc., Psyllium husk acts similarly to the way gluten would act in traditional wheat bread. It provides the binding properties and elasticity that helps the dough become workable. It gives the structure and support for the bread to rise, as well.

Why is my homemade gluten free bread so dense? ›

Dense loaf- you may need to use more liquid, gluten free dough is usually wetter than regular wheat flour dough resembling a thick brownie batter. How much liquid is enough in a recipe ultimately depends not on formulas but in observation. You may need more or less liquid than the recipe specifies.

How do you make gluten free dough rise better? ›

If you can let the gluten free bread dough rise overnight in a cool — not warm — place, the slower rise will provide a stronger cell structure and more of a sourdough flavor when baked the next day. A refrigerated overnight rise is a great way to get a longer proof without weakening the bread's structure.

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