Irish Wheaten Soda Bread Recipe – Taste Of Ireland

Irish wheaten soda bread recipe is a traditional, no-yeast brown bread made using whole-wheat flour, plain flour, baking soda, and buttermilk.

This irish wheaten soda bread recipe reflects the heart of Irish home baking quick, hearty, and deeply rooted in rural kitchens. I created this irish wheaten soda bread recipe for those who appreciate real, honest food and want to experience a taste of Ireland with minimal fuss.

Irish wheaten soda bread recipe has been a staple in Northern Ireland for generations, baked fresh in farmhouses and eaten with butter, jam, or alongside soup.

Now I’m sharing an easy way to make irish wheaten soda bread recipe, including serving ideas, tips, health notes, and more below.

Why You’ll Love This Irish Wheaten Soda Bread Recipe

This Irish wheaten soda bread recipe brings the deep, nutty flavor of whole wheat flour together with the slight tang of buttermilk in a way that feels earthy and honest.

The crust bakes up beautifully crisp while the inside stays soft and hearty. There’s no yeast or rising time, which means you can mix, shape, and bake in under an hour. It suits everyday meals and special gatherings alike.

Serve irish wheaten soda bread recipe warm from the oven, and it carries the comfort of traditional Irish baking into any kitchen. This is the kind of bread people come back to again and again.

How To Prepare Irish Wheaten Soda Bread Recipe?

Recipe Overview

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Baking Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Course: Bread

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Irish

Yield: 1 loaf

Kitchen Utensils

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups/spoons or scales
• Baking sheet or tray (lined or lightly greased)
• Sharp knife (for scoring the loaf)
• Wire rack (for cooling)
• Pastry cutter or your fingers (to incorporate the butter)

Ingredients

• 250 g whole‑wheat flour
• 150 g plain (all‑purpose) flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ tablespoons (≈ 20 g) butter, cold and cut into small cubes
• 1 tablespoon honey (or sugar)
• 300 ml buttermilk (preferably chilled)
• Extra flour for dusting

How to Make Irish Wheaten Soda Bread Recipe

1. Heat it to 200 °C (400 °F). Pop a baking tray in there to warm up. If you’re using a different tray, line it and lightly grease it. In a big bowl, whisk together the whole-wheat flour, plain flour, baking soda, and salt.

2. Drop in the cold butter (cubed) and spoon in the honey. Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to rub it all together until it looks like fine crumbs.

3. Make a little well in the center of your dry mix, and then pour in the buttermilk. Gently stir it until it just comes together as dough. Don’t overdo it.

4. Tip the dough onto a floured surface. Shape it into a round loaf, about 20 cm (8 in) wide. Take a sharp knife and cut a deep cross on the top of the loaf.

5. Place the loaf onto the hot baking tray. Bake for around 40 minutes, or until it’s golden on top, firm, and sounds hollow when you tap the bottom. Take it out of the oven, move it to a wire rack, and let it cool slightly. Slice it up and serve with butter.

Note

Because this is a “soda bread” (no yeast), it’s best eaten on the day it’s made the crust is at its best fresh. The cross on top isn’t only decorative: traditionally it lets the loaf expand and bake evenly. If you like a slightly denser, more rustic loaf, you could reduce the plain flour slightly and increase the whole-wheat flour.

Nutritional Amount Irish Wheaten Soda Bread Recipe

Nutrition	Amount
Calories	200
Protein	5g
Fat	5g
Carbohydrates	30g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	2g

Why My Recipe Works

My irish wheaten soda bread recipe works because it balances simple, natural ingredients that react together to create the perfect texture and flavor.

The baking soda reacts with the acidity of the buttermilk, helping the bread rise quickly without yeast. Using both whole wheat and plain flour gives the loaf a hearty crumb without becoming too dense.

The cold butter adds richness and helps create a tender crumb, while the honey gently sweetens without overwhelming the bread’s natural flavors.

Careful mixing and shaping ensure the bread bakes evenly, resulting in a loaf that’s golden on the outside and soft inside every time.

Serving Ideas

Serve this irish wheaten soda bread recipe warm alongside a bowl of hearty stew or soup for a comforting meal. It pairs beautifully with butter and a drizzle of honey or jam for breakfast or tea time.

Try slicing it thick and topping with creamy cheese or smoked salmon for a simple snack. Toasting slices brings out a lovely crunch that works well with eggs or fresh vegetables.

This irish wheaten soda bread recipe also makes a great base for open-faced sandwiches or can be enjoyed plain to appreciate its nutty, wholesome flavor.

Health Benefits

This irish wheaten soda bread recipe brings several health benefits by focusing on natural, wholesome ingredients. Whole-wheat flour adds valuable fiber that helps support digestion and keeps energy steady.

The buttermilk contributes calcium and robotics, which help strengthen bones and promote a healthy gut. Because this bread uses minimal butter and no yeast, it stays lighter and avoids unnecessary additives found in many store-bought types of bread.

Including this bread in meals can aid heart health, promote fullness, and offer a nourishing choice for those seeking a traditional, wholesome option.

Expert Baking Tips

1. Baking soda loses its potency over time, so make sure yours is fresh for the best rise and texture. To test, drop a little in some vinegar it should fizz vigorously.

2. For authentic flavor and texture, opt for coarse or stone-ground whole wheat flour. It gives the bread a lovely nutty taste and hearty crumb.

3. Using cold butter and rubbing it quickly into the flour helps create little pockets that give the bread a tender, flaky texture.

4. Stir the ingredients just until combined. Overworking the dough can make the bread tough and dense instead of light and crumbly.

5. The cross on top isn’t just decorative it helps the bread bake evenly and allows steam to escape. Use a sharp knife and cut about ½ inch deep.

6. Position your baking tray in the middle of the oven for even heat distribution. If you have a convection setting, use it for a crispier crust but watch carefully to avoid burning.

Is Wheaten Bread Healthy?

Yes, wheaten bread can be a healthy choice, especially when made with whole wheat flour. Whole wheat flour is rich in fiber, which aids digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and promotes heart health by lowering cholesterol.

It also contains more vitamins and minerals compared to white flour, particularly B-vitamins, iron, and magnesium.

How To Store Leftovers

To keep leftover irish wheaten soda bread recipe fresh, wrap it tightly in a clean kitchen towel or place it inside a paper bag. This helps maintain the crust’s texture while preventing the bread from drying out too quickly.

Store irish wheaten soda bread recipe at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Thaw slices at room temperature or toast them directly from frozen to restore that freshly baked taste and texture. Avoid refrigeration, as it can make the bread dry and crumbly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

Everyone who has tried this irish wheaten soda bread recipe has loved it, enjoying the hearty texture and rich, comforting flavor it brings to the table.

I truly enjoyed making this irish wheaten soda bread recipe myself the aroma while baking and the warm, tender crumb were deeply satisfying. I hope you give it a try soon and discover how delicious it is fresh from the oven.

After baking, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the simple, wholesome goodness this irish wheaten soda bread recipe offers. Please let me know how much you enjoy it once you’ve made it!

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