Everyday recipes, explained simply.

No-Yeast Soda Bread

A crusty loaf in 45 minutes. No yeast, no kneading, no waiting.

By The Food Gene Updated

  • Under an hour
  • Beginner
  • Vegetarian
Prep
10 mins
Cook
35 mins
Makes
1 loaf (about 8 slices)
Level
Beginner
Jump to recipe Print Share
A rustic flour-dusted loaf on brown paper

Soda bread rises with bicarbonate of soda and buttermilk, so it goes straight into the oven.

Handle the dough as little as possible for a soft, light crumb.

Ingredients

Makes 1 loaf (about 8 slices)

Method

  1. Heat the oven

    Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and dust a baking tray with flour.

  2. Mix

    Mix the flours, bicarb and salt. Pour in the buttermilk and stir quickly into a soft, sticky dough.

  3. Shape

    Tip onto a floured surface, shape into a round and flatten slightly. Cut a deep cross in the top and dust with a little flour.

  4. Bake

    Bake for 35 minutes until it sounds hollow when tapped underneath.

    Timer: 35:00

  5. Cool

    Cool on a rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Questions about this recipe

Why is my soda bread dense?

The dough was mixed for too long, or it waited too long before baking. Mix quickly and get it straight into a hot oven.