Irish Soda Bread is a no-yeast bread that requires almost no kneading as well. Ready in an hour, this bread is a perfect side for any meal.
Jump to RecipeOver a eyar ago now, when my book club was meeting in person instead of over Zoom (thanks COVID), I set out to make a vegan bread. We have one member who is allergic to dairy and another who doesn’t eat meat.
I had heard of Irish Soda Bread before, but never tried it. When I started looking up recipes, most weren’t dairy-free how they were written. I decided to try my hand at changing a few things to make it fit the dietary needs of everyone in the group.
Soda bread doesn’t use any yeast and you hardly have to knead the bread. In other words, it’s very simple! I like simple.
I replaced the milk with almond milk to have a dairy-free option. Truth time: I use almond milk in almost any recipe that calls for “milk” because that’s all we ever have at our house. Everything else in the recipe is already vegan-friendly which means it’s also dairy-free.
How Does the Bread Rise without Yeast?
Most bread products require yeast to give it that light, airy taste. Instead, this uses a combination of baking soda (hence soda bread) and vinegar. Remember those volcano science experiments? It works similar to that but without the explosion.
Step by Step
Ingredients
Prepare your soda bread ingredients. Measure out everything you need so you have it ready when you need it.
Preparation
Mix the almond milk and vinegar in a small bowl and let it stand for 10-15 minutes. Almond milk mixed with vinegar is a dairy-free substitute for buttermilk.
Preheat the oven to 375F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Add the milk mixture and stir with a fork until just combined.
On a lightly floured work surface, knead the dough for 30 seconds. Yes, 30 seconds of kneading is all that’s required for this bread! Shape the dough into an oval loaf and place on a cookie sheet or baking stone. Note: the bread will not fill out or expand as it bakes. Whatever shape it is now is exactly the shape it will be after baking.
Use a serrated knife to score the bread with a deep cross.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the bread is done and golden-brown. Serve warm. I like to add a bit of vegan butter on mine to soften it up slightly.
Leftovers
Leftover soda bread can be stored in a sealed container on the counter at room temperature. It should keep for at least 2-3 days.
Recipe
Originally Published On: March 3, 2021
Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 13 tbsp almond milk
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Mix the almond milk and vinegar in a small bowl and let it stand for 10-15 minutes
- Preheat the oven to 375F
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt
- Add the milk mixture and stir with a fork until just combined
- On a lightly floured work surface, knead the dough for 30 seconds
- Shape the dough into an oval loaf and place on a cookie sheet or baking stone
- Use a serrated knife to score the bread with a deep cross
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the bread is done and golden-brown
- Serve warm
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Soda Bread FAQs
Instead of using yeast, as most breads do, this one uses baking soda and vinegar to help it rise.
Just like in science experiments, when you mix baking soda with vinegar, they cause an “explosion”. Well, this doesn’t explode (thankfully) but that combination adds air to the bread.
The shape is entirely up to you. I’ve seen it made perfectly round, oval, or long like a loaf of French bread. Just know that it doesn’t change shape as it bakes. So whatever shape you put it in the oven as, it will come out the same.
Soda bread definitely tastes a bit different than regular bread. Soda bread is more dense and therefor heavier than an Italian or French bread loaf. The vinegar and baking soda do give it a slightly bitter taste, so it’s best when it’s being dipped in a sauce or spread with butter.
I love making bread! I always make ones that need yeast though so this will be very interesting. Can’t wait to try.
Most of mine have yeast, too. But I like having an option without it since it’s usually quicker.
I have never tried Irish soda bread, I don’t think! But I really love to make bread so going to try this for sure!
It’s definitely different than the fluffy white bread that I usually make, but it’s nice for something new.
I love this dairy-free bread and the flavor is so amazing, I don’t even miss the yeast (or the hassle of making a yeast bread!)
I love being able to skip the yeast, makes it so much easier!
This is how we make soda bread too. So easy and comforting.
Isn’t it great? I love this bread recipe 🙂
Doesn’t get simpler than this for a delicious loaf of bread!
I agree, I love simple!
Every time I make bread, I always forget where my yeast is and this recipe is perfect! I can’t wait to make this soon. Looks easy and so delicious! My family is going to love this recipe!
I tend to find that my yeast has expired so it won’t work well. That’s why I love making it without yeast!
What a great recipe! I love soda bread but haven’t attempted to make my own before, I will have to give this a try!
This bread looks really good! Having a yeast-less bread is a really good recipe to have on hand.
This look amazing. I never had this bread before but would try it.
I love soda bread and this is a fabulously easy recipe! No rise bread? Yes please!
I love to eat different kinds of bread, yet I haven’t tried this! I gotta ask my friend to bake this so we can share and eat together.
This sounds delicious! I’ve never tried it before so I definitely will now ☺️
ohhhhh, I love making bread. I can’t wait to try this one. It will be my first without yeast.
Irish soda bread is one of my favorites! I can’t wait to try this version.
I’m not into a lot of vegan stuff but this looks so good. I would want to try it haha. Thank you for sharing!
This is handy as we don’t often have yeast at home. I do like soda bread.
This bread looks amazing! I will have to give this a try.
This is the first time I heard about No Yeast Vegan Irish Soda Bread. It fascinates me. I would like to do this recipe on weekends so my family can try it soon.
This Vegan Irish Soda Bread is an easy yeast-free bread recipe . I am so excited to try it
I can start my vegan journey with this. Thanks for sharing
This looks interesting! Liked the ingredient steps you mentioned will follow them and will try t make this myself. Thankyou
I never thought about how soda bread rose, but I can see why now. I love how it tastes, and I need to try making it this year!