No Yeast Bread – Irish Soda Bread
Rustic and hearty bread made without yeast, using baking soda for rise. This traditional Irish soda bread is quick to prepare, with an aerated, chewy crumb. A combination of white and wholemeal flour gives the best flavor. Perfect served warm for sandwiches, dunking, or toasting.
| Cuisine | Irish |
| Category | Bread |
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 40 minutes |
| Rising Time | 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 45 minutes |
| Servings | 12 servings |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Published | 8/18/2025 |
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 220°C / 430°F (200°C fan). Line a tray with baking paper.
- 2
Whisk together white flour, wholemeal flour, baking soda, and salt.
- 3
Add buttermilk and stir until dough becomes difficult to stir.
- 4
Sprinkle extra flour on work surface, scrape dough out, sprinkle more flour, and gently knead no more than 8 times to form a ball.
- 5
Transfer to tray and pat into a 2.5 cm / 1" thick disc.
- 6
Score a cross 1 cm deep on the surface with a serrated knife.
- 7
Bake for 20 minutes. Reduce oven to 200°C / 390°F (180°C fan) and bake another 20 minutes or until base sounds hollow when tapped.
- 8
Transfer to a rack and cool at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition Information
| Calories | 160 |
| Protein | 5g |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 4mg |
| Sodium | 490mg |
| Potassium | 139mg |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Vitamin A | 65IU |
| Vitamin C | 0mg |
| Calcium | 55mg |
| Iron | 1.6mg |
Recipe Notes
Flour – Using wholemeal flour adds a nutty flavor. Can use just plain flour, but flavor will be more plain. Avoid bread flour; it is unnecessary for this no-yeast bread.
Baking soda – Provides strong rise; three times more powerful than baking powder.
Buttermilk substitute – Mix 1.75 cups full-fat milk + 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice, let sit 15 minutes. Use slightly less than 2 cups as it is thinner.
Dough stickiness – Use just enough flour to make dough manageable. Stickier dough produces moister bread.
Variations – Mix in oats (up to 1 cup, reduce flour by 1/2 cup), raisins (1 cup), or seeds (pumpkin, linseeds, sesame, sunflower, poppy) up to 1/2 cup. Brush surface with buttermilk and sprinkle toppings as desired.
Serving – Delicious warm, suitable for sandwiches, dunking, toasting, or grilled cheese.
Storage – Keeps 3 days in airtight container, 4–5 days in fridge, or freeze for months.
Nutrition – Per slice, assuming 12 slices.
More Bread Recipes
Easy Cape Seed Loaf Whole Wheat Bread
This is a South African simple and foolproof whole wheat bread recipe that comes out perfect every time. It’s packed with healthy seeds for a hearty texture and nutty flavor, making it a fantastic staple for your kitchen. The result is a dense, rustic loaf that’s great on its own or toasted to perfection. No need for complex kneading—just a little stirring and patience is all it takes to bake this delicious loaf.
Chapati
Flaky, layered flatbreads made with flour, ghee, and warm water, kneaded into a soft dough, rested, and rolled before being cooked until golden. These homemade chapatis are rich, chewy, and perfect for pairing with curries, stews, or enjoyed on their own straight from the pan.
Easy Cheese & Sweetcorn Bread
This is a super simple, one-bowl recipe for a moist and savory cheese and sweetcorn bread loaf. It's packed with flavor from sharp cheddar and creamy sweetcorn, making it a perfect side for a hearty meal or a delicious snack on its own. The cayenne pepper adds just a hint of warmth without being overpowering.
Quick and Dirty Focaccia
A super easy, high-hydration focaccia with minimal effort. Mix in a bowl, pour into a pan, and bake. The result is a golden, crisp crust with a soft, airy interior and large bubbles, all without kneading or folding.
Authentic Focaccia
This is what real focaccia is all about—not the bland, spongy bread you might be used to. This recipe creates a bread with a perfect, crispy outside and a soft, moist, and fluffy interior with a little bit of chew. It’s an authentic Italian bread with so much character and flavor that you won’t be able to stop at just one piece. The secret? A special dough that gives it an incredible texture and an irresistible taste.
Gingerbread Boxes & Mason Jars
These aren't your average gingerbread cookies! Learn how to transform simple gingerbread dough into charming, edible boxes or mason jars. With no cookie cutters or mixers required, this recipe is perfect for creating completely unique, homemade gifts. While both are stunning, the mason jars are a bit easier to make since they don't require construction. This recipe is specifically designed to create a sturdy, yet delicious, gingerbread that holds its shape perfectly during baking.
Easy Sandwich Bread (Without Yeast)
This recipe delivers a fantastic bread loaf without the need for yeast or any other unusual ingredients. It bakes up with a proper crumb that is sliceable, unlike many other 'no-yeast' breads that end up with a cake-like or muffin-like texture. Loosely inspired by Damper, a traditional Australian bread cooked over a campfire, this modern version is perfect for everything from sandwiches to toast. You'll be amazed at how close this comes to a classic loaf of bread!
Parmesan Thyme Bread Crust Snacks
Turn leftover bread crusts into an irresistible snack! This recipe is a clever way to use up bread ends and is a surefire hit with both kids and adults. The crusts are tossed with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and savory dried thyme, then baked to golden, crunchy perfection. It’s a simple, quick, and delicious solution for a no-waste snack.