“This is a brilliant recipe. Have made it several times since finding it on your site. Stays lovely and moist for a couple of days. But then it makes super toast! ~Mary
Soda bread is a traditional Irish bread made without yeast
This amazing Irish oatmeal soda bread is made in under an hour, from start to finish! It has a unique texture and a charming simplicity. Whether you’re putting together a St. Patrick’s Day menu, or just looking for a quick no-yeast no-knead bread for dinner, this is a must try.
Irish soda bread is a type of bread that has been a staple in Ireland for centuries. The simple recipe is made from flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. It has a distinctive flavor and texture that is both dense and crumbly, and is often enjoyed with butter or jam.
oat flour enriches this rustic soda bread
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.
the benefits of oat flour in baking
- Nutritional benefits: Oat flour is a good source of fiber, protein, and other nutrients, which can help to make bread recipes like this Irish oatmeal soda bread more nutritious and filling.
- Moisture retention: Oat flour has a higher water-holding capacity than many other types of flours, which can help to keep bread recipes moist and tender.
- Binding properties: The high protein content in oat flour can help to bind bread dough together and improve its structure.
- Flavor and texture: Oat flour can add a nutty flavor and slightly denser texture to bread recipes, which can be particularly appealing in rustic or whole-grain breads.
why do we cut a cross into the top of this oatmeal soda bread?
The reason for cutting a cross in the top of Irish soda bread has both practical and symbolic significance.
Practically, cutting a cross in the top of the bread allows the heat to penetrate deeper into the dough during baking, which helps the bread cook more evenly. This technique also helps the bread to rise properly, as the cross allows the steam to escape as the bread bakes.
Symbolically, the cross is often seen as a way of blessing the bread and protecting it from evil. In traditional Irish households, it was believed that cutting a cross into the bread would ward off the devil and protect the household from harm. The cross also served as a way to divide the bread into quarters, which could represent the four provinces of Ireland or the four elements of nature.
what to serve with soda bread
- Traditional Irish Leek and Potato Soup
- Classic New England Fish Pie Recipe
- The Best Cottage Pie Recipe
- Dublin Coddle ~ a quick cooking Irish stew!
- 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!
Video
Notes
- If you want a real treat, Make Your own Butter to have with your bread!
Nutrition
can we use homemade buttermilk for this? if so, how much milk to vinegar/lemon juice?!??!
I 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.
I’ve been meaning to make soda bread for ages and this looks perfect! I love the addition of oat flour.
Yummy yummy get in my tummy!! This looks amazing!
Love the addition of oat flour! Must give great flavour and the texture looks perfect 🙂
This looks and sounds lovely……can I get oat flour in the UK? Or can I substitute another flour instead?
I 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!
And yes, you can substitute whole wheat, or any other flour you like…
Looks so simple and delicious!
It’s almost unbelievable how simple these breads are ~ Happy St. Paddy’s Day Karen!
This is so simple there is no reason not to indulge. And indulge I will!
I love the addition of oat flour, this looks fantastic!
Soda bread is definitely one of my favourite quick breads. Yours with oat flour sounds and looks awesome, Sue.
I sure wish I had a slice or two of this today! The texture looks fantastic. Certainly my favorite way to celebrate all things Irish!
Thanks Tricia, and I know I sound like a broken record, but it makes the BEST TOAST!