Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread ~ I’ve made this authentic Irish quick bread even more delicious with the addition of oat flour…you won’t find an easier, or more tasty quick bread anywhere ~ it’s ready in under an hour!
Soda bread is a traditional Irish bread made without yeast, and leavened with baking soda and buttermilk
It’s been made on a daily basis for generations. This bread has a unique texture and a charming simplicity. Maybe you fist encounter it when you’re putting together a St. Patrick’s Day menu, but once you try it, it will become one of those recipes you turn to again and again. Bread this quick and easy doesn’t come along every day.
I’ve used one of my favorite ingredients to bump up the flavor and texture of this Irish oatmeal soda bread ~ oat flour!
It’s naturally sweet, and adds so much to almost anything you bake. And guess what? You don’t need to go out and buy anything special, you can whip up your own by processing regular oats, either rolled or steel cut, in a food processor or high speed blender. I used my Vitamix and it took less than a minute. The resulting flour is silky and really delicious. For more details, check out my post about how to make your own oat flour.
TIP: If you can get past the scraggly looks of this bread, you’re a wise person because you’ll have a wonderful go-to bread recipe that can be hot on your table in less than an hour.
The characteristic cross is cut into the dough with a sharp knife just before baking to allow the bread to rise…and to let the fairies escape!
what to serve with soda bread
- Corn and Cheddar Cheese Chowder
- Finnish Salmon Soup
- Mushroom and Brie Soup
- Potato Soup with Bratwurst
Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk (possibly a little bit more)
Instructions
- Set oven to 425F
- Whisk the flours, salt, and soda together in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center, and add about 1 1/2 cups of the buttermilk. Gradually mix the flour and buttermilk, adding the remaining buttermilk if your dough seems too dry. The dough will have a rough texture to it.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead briefly until it comes together. Form into an 8 inch round disk. Transfer to a baking sheet and cut a cross in the top with a sharp knife.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. It should sound hollow when you rap the bottom.
- Let cool for a few minutes, but then enjoy it while still warm, with some good Irish butter, of course!
Cook's notes
- If you want a real treat, Make Your own Butter to have with your bread!
69 Comments
monika
March 18, 2017 at 4:13 pmcan we use homemade buttermilk for this? if so, how much milk to vinegar/lemon juice?!??!
Sue
March 18, 2017 at 5:37 pmI don’t see why you couldn’t use homemade buttermilk, which is generally one cup milk to one or two tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar. But I’m partial to the cultured buttermilk you can buy in stores, it’s thick and has great flavor.
Marissa
March 18, 2017 at 11:57 amI’ve been meaning to make soda bread for ages and this looks perfect! I love the addition of oat flour.
cakespy
March 18, 2017 at 7:34 amYummy yummy get in my tummy!! This looks amazing!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
March 18, 2017 at 4:18 amLove the addition of oat flour! Must give great flavour and the texture looks perfect 🙂
MARGARET ANNE MILLER
March 17, 2017 at 5:54 pmThis looks and sounds lovely……can I get oat flour in the UK? Or can I substitute another flour instead?
Sue
March 17, 2017 at 6:07 pmI bet you can get it, Margaret, but it’s also so easy to make it, just take regular rolled oats and process them into flour in a food processor or high speed blender. It takes just seconds!
Sue
March 17, 2017 at 6:07 pmAnd yes, you can substitute whole wheat, or any other flour you like…
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
March 17, 2017 at 3:48 pmLooks so simple and delicious!
Sue
March 17, 2017 at 4:17 pmIt’s almost unbelievable how simple these breads are ~ Happy St. Paddy’s Day Karen!
[email protected] is How I Cook
March 17, 2017 at 2:42 pmThis is so simple there is no reason not to indulge. And indulge I will!
Laura | Tutti Dolci
March 17, 2017 at 10:18 amI love the addition of oat flour, this looks fantastic!
[email protected]'s Recipes
March 17, 2017 at 9:44 amSoda bread is definitely one of my favourite quick breads. Yours with oat flour sounds and looks awesome, Sue.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
March 17, 2017 at 9:03 amI sure wish I had a slice or two of this today! The texture looks fantastic. Certainly my favorite way to celebrate all things Irish!
Sue
March 17, 2017 at 9:20 amThanks Tricia, and I know I sound like a broken record, but it makes the BEST TOAST!