Vegan Irish Soda Bread is the perfect plant-based treat for St. Patricks Day! Made with simple ingredients and ready in no time. It is a festive no-yeast bread recipe, with a dense, yet soft texture and the most incredible crust.
Jump to:
💡 The recipe in a nutshell
- Vegan (Dairy-free & no eggs)
- Easy-to-make
- Active prep time: 15 minutes
- Passive/Bake time: 40-50 minutes
- Only 8 Ingredients
- Delicious rustic bread
- Plant-based St. Patricks Day Food
📋 Ingredients
To make vegan Irish soda bread you need a few pantry-friendly ingredients:
- Bread flour: It gives the bread a nice earthy flavor, but you can also use all-purpose flour if wished.
- Vegan Buttermilk: Traditional Irish soda bread uses buttermilk. To make vegan buttermilk combine plant milk such as oat milk with white vinegar. It creates a similar consistency and flavor.
- Vegan Butter: Used instead of regular dairy butter. Gives richness and moisture to the bread.
- Cane Sugar: adds a touch of sweetness, if you want the bread to be neutral in taste skip the sugar. If you want the bread sweeter in taste, add more.
- Baking Soda: is the leavening agent for this recipe. The baking soda reacts with the vegan buttermilk and makes the bread rise. It is also where Irish soda bread got its name from.
- Baking Powder: helps to fluff up the bread instead of using eggs. This is especially important when using bread flour which is slightly heavier than all-purpose.
- Sea Salt: enhances the flavor.
Optional add-ins:
- Raisins: If desired add raisins, currants, or dried cherries to the dry ingredients before adding wet ingredients. They add sweetness and texture.
- Sparkling or Rock Sugar: used to sprinkle on top for looks and extra sweetness.
👩🏽🍳 How to make vegan Irish soda bread
Swapping out animal products to make vegan Irish soda bread is super easy nowadays. Follow these simple steps to make it:
- Whisk together dry ingredients.
- Work in vegan butter and raisins, if using.
- Add vegan buttermilk and mix and knead until shaggy dough forms. Shape it into a ball.
- Place in a cast iron pan, dutch oven, or oven-safe pan. Cut a cross on top of the loaf, sprinkle with sparkling sugar if wished, and bake.
Find a detailed, printable recipe at the end of this article.
💭 Common questions
Is Irish soda bread vegan? No, unfortunately, traditional Irish soda bread is made with animal products. However, our recipe is entirely vegan!
How to store Irish soda bread? Wrap the cooled Irish soda bread tightly in cling wrap or place it in a bread box or airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to four days.
Can I freeze Irish soda bread? Wrap baked and cooled Irish soda bread, and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. It keeps well for up to 3 months. I like to precut the bread into slices, before freezing for easy single-serve access. Thaw in the fridge, at room temperature, or even quickly by placing it in the oven ad 325F until thawed and lightly toasted.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Irish Soda Bread
Equipment
- electric mixer with paddle attachment (or wooden spoon)
- Mixing Bowl
- parchment paper
- cast iron pan, dutch oven, or other oven-safe pan
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup oat milk (415ml)
- 2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 4 cups bread flour (600g)
- 3 tablespoon cane sugar (add more if you want the bread sweeter)
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt
- 4 tablespoon vegan butter, unsalted and at room temperature
Optional
- add-in: raisins, currants, or chopped dried cherries
- garnish: brown sugar, sparkling or rock sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F / 220°C.
- In a measuring cup add oat milk and white vinegar. Whisk together and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes to curdle to make vegan buttermilk.
- Whisk together dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Using your hands add butter and work into flour until it resembles a coarse meal. Then add raisins, if using.
- Make a well in the center and add buttermilk. Mix with a wooden spoon, or paddle attachment on your electric mixer, until a shaggy dough ball forms. It should feel stiff when stirring with the wooden spoon.
- Transfer to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round loaf and press lightly down so it shapes into an oval. It won't be super smooth. Flour your hands as needed.
- Place the loaf into a cast iron pan, dutch oven, or another oven-safe baking pan (either grease pan, or layer with parchment). Cut a deep cross on top of the bread and sprinkle with some extra flour and sparkling sugar.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, until baked through. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy with some butter, jam, or on its own.
PS: Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment on your experience - this helps improve my recipes and serves you with the best instructions, tips, and substitution ideas. Plus, I love hearing about your takes on my recipes! Tag me on Instagram @thesimplesprinkle to show me your pictures.
Leave a Reply