Your favorite, classic Irish Soda Bread only lightened up and made a little healthier, without any yeast!
St. Patricks Day is coming up so I decided to search for Irish Soda Bread Recipes and immediately became intimidated. I haven't had the best experiences in the past with making my own breads.
Then I found this one on allrecipes.com and it had the word "easy" in the title and I was intrigued. This recipe didn't require yeast (which also intimidates me) and I decided to make it healthier.
Full disclosure, I am not a huge bread lover. But I do have fond memories of eating homemade Irish Soda Bread around St. Patrick's Day.
Even though my mother was 100% Italian, she made it every year for our family (my father is 100% Irish!).
I always try to recreate what foods I remember my mother making as a child. She left us when I was only 15 so I don't have that many memories.
But what I do remember, I try to recreate in a healthier version. It makes me happy to share these foods (and memories) with my kids.
My mother would use this for sandwiches and even French toast which was always fun. I bet this would also be incredible in my Overnight French Toast Casserole.
If you are looking for some more St. Patricks Day treats here are some Easy Pretzel Shamrocks or some Shamrock Quesadillas.
These would be extra delicious with some Apple Chai Latte, Eggnog Latte, Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate or even some Spiked Apple Cider!
Also, my cookbooks are both on sale now and would make a great gift! The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook are both the lowest prices I have seen!
Why You Should Make This Irish Soda Bread
This Irish soda bread is lightened up but still just as delicious. Whole wheat pastry flour adds fiber to this bread. Since I added some raisins which add natural sweetness, the sugar is cut in half.
I also substituted plain Greek yogurt for some of the buttermilk who adds protein and reduces the fat. I still used buttermilk though, even though I cut it down. Buttermilk gives homemade bread a wonderful consistency.
I tried omitting it completely and wasn't satisfied with the final product so I decided to add a little back and was very pleased.
Lastly, I used my favorite, good old coconut oil instead of butter and it came together beautifully and also cut back on dairy.
But feel free to keep the butter in this recipe if you don't have coconut oil. I like to cut back in dairy which is why I used the coconut oil, but butter still works great in this recipe too.
The raisins are also optional. It's all about your personal preference. We like the raisins over here in the Kelly house, except my middle guy who will literally sit there for 15 minutes picking them out.
I love this Irish soda bread when it's fresh out of the oven and the outside is warm and crusty and the tender and soft inside. Note that this bread doesn't use any yeast at all.
Many bakers love using yeast when they bake, but for me it never comes out right. It's best for me to keep it simple since I am not an experienced baker.
Related Recipes
Healthy Soft Seed Sandwich Bread from Ambitious Kitchen
The Easiest Whole Grain Vegan Seeded Bread from Minimalist Baker
Homemade Dairy Free Honey Whole Wheat Bread from Joy Food Sunshine
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Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 2 tablespoons unrefined sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup coconut oil softened
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup reduced fat buttermilk
- 1 egg beaten
- ½ cup rasins
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- ¼ cup reduced fat buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a baking sheet or pizza stone with flour.
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Add melted coconut oil, yogurt, buttermilk and egg and mix well.
- Pour batter onto floured pizza stone or floured surface. Knead for 5-8 minutes adding raisins at the end.
- In a small bowl, combine melted coconut oil and ¼ cup buttermilk. Stir well.
- Cut a cross shape into batter. Brush the coconut oil/buttermilk mixture on top.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Brush remaining coconut oil/buttermilk mixture on top of bread.
- Bake another 20-25 minutes until completely cooked.
Andie
I've never heard of this kind of bread before so it was super fun to learn about it, make it, and most importantly eat it! Great recipe, love it!
Lauren Kelly
Yay! So happy you liked it, Andie!
Julia
I was very intimidated by this recipe at first, but it turned out to be super easy and the bread turned out so well! This is going to be one of my go-to recipes from now on.
Lauren Kelly
Right?? So easy! Thank you!
wilhelmina
I really liked this bread! The whole wheat and yogurt added a little something to it that I really liked while still keeping the classic soda bread flavors I love. Great recipe!
Taylor
This bread was SO delicious! It's the perfect combination of crisp, moist and sweet. I love having a slice for breakfast with my coffee!
nina
this is perfect because I wanted to make some bread, but didnt have any yeast! thank you for sharing this recipe!
Lauren Kelly
Yay! Enjoy, Nina!
Matt Taylor
I love classic white soda bread, I haven't tried whole wheat. Can't wait to give this a try!
Jen
This turned out so good! I have never tried making bread before because I was always too intimidated. Super easy and delicious!
Allyson Zea
This bread was so easy and tasty! You couldn't tell it was 'lightened up' at all! Thank you!
Megan
Soda bread has been on my "to do" list and this might just be the year to try it. Your recipe looks yummy.
Beverley
you know I need this recipe in my life and I so enjoy making your recipes. Delicious and easy recipes to follow, thank you xoxo
Catherine
Dear Kelly, This is the first year I am going to try and make my own Irish Soda Bread. My family and I absolutely love it. This looks wonderful! Pinning. xo, Catherine
steve
Fantastic! Perfect with my cup of joe!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Steve!! XO