Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread (No Yeast) - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

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Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread is a fantastic homemade crusty bread with no yeast, no kneading, and you get golden heaven on your table in only 40 minutes. A great traditional Irish recipe for St Patrick's Day, this bread is made with white and wholemeal flour, soda and buttermilk, and it's the best bread you can get.

Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread (No Yeast) - My Gorgeous Recipes (1)

If you love the idea of freshly-baked bread but you dread the whole proving process, and have little time to spare, this is a recipe you will absolutely love. Adapted from the recipe of the one and only Paul Hollywood, this popular Irish soda bread is my new favourite bread to make.

Although I really doubt there will be any leftover for the next day, I do find that this bread is amazing on the day you bake, especially when it is still warm.

Another great thing about it is that plain flour can be used instead of strong flour. The recipe calls for half amount of plain white flour and half of plain wholemeal flour. Fairly simple, isn't it? I certainly do love baking bread. Nothing compares to the fresh aroma of homemade bread that fills your kitchen, especially on a cold winter day.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients needed
  • Variations of the soda bread
  • Step-by-step photos and instructions
  • Expert tips
  • How do I know that the soda bread is baked?
  • What to serve with soda bread
  • Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread (No-Yeast)
Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread (No Yeast) - My Gorgeous Recipes (2)

And the bread is certainly tons healthier than the store-bough version that is highly processed. I mean, have you seen that sliced bread that you touch and it becomes dough right away?

It can only mean one thing, the bread is nothing but full of preservatives that fluff it up to look fantastic. But it's not. We have already ditched the sliced store-bought bread, and only buy different kinds, and that occasionally. Right, so how to make this no-yeast bread? Very simple!

Ingredients needed

  • plain white flour - there is no need for bread flour
  • plain wholemeal flour
  • salt
  • bicarbonate of soda
  • buttermilk

Variations of the soda bread

It can also be tweaked to your own liking without compromising on flavour or texture, so use only white flour if you like, or only wholemeal (whole wheat), or, why not, adds seeds and other ingredients to it, my Soda Bread with Cheddar Cheese, Olives and Red Peppers is just amazing!

I also made some delicious Soda Bread Rolls, which are basically made with the same ingredients, just divided the dough to make rolls rather than one loaf. Or you can make muffins, my Irish Soda Bread Muffins are incredibly delicious.

If you still want to use both white and wholemeal, you can tweak the amounts used instead of half half, use more or less, as long as the total amounts stays the same as specified in the recipe.

A similar recipe comes from the Isle of Man, the Manx Bonnag uses similar ingredients and has a similar baking technique, plus it's as delicious.

For a more Irish touch, why not try my Guinness Brown Bread? It's so delicious, perfect for your St Patrick's Day celebrations.

Step-by-step photos and instructions

There is no need to break your back kneading the dough here. Make sure the oven it's pre-heated before popping the bread in! We add the flours to a bowl, together with the salt and bicarbonate of soda, make a well in the middle, add the buttermilk, then mix quickly to bring the ingredients together.

Transfer the dough to the working surface, add some flour to help you shape the dough into a round, then cut through it with a sharp knife. Be careful not to cut all the way through, just over the surface, then in the oven, and the bread is ready in about 30-35 minutes depending on your oven.

Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread (No Yeast) - My Gorgeous Recipes (3)

Expert tips

Add more buttermilk if you feel that the dough is not soft enough - different brands of flour would get you different results - you can increase the buttermilk to up to 500 ml if needed.

How do I know that the soda bread is baked?

If the bread is lightly brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, then it's ready to be enjoyed. Leave to cool for a bit on a cooling rack before slicing, a cooled bread is a lot easier to be sliced.

What to serve with soda bread

From a hot bowl of soup, a nice Irish beef stew, or a nice pot of beef curry, the possibilities are endless. It also makes a great sandwich, if you want to swap the regular bread. Spread a bit of butter on it, and it's like tasting heaven. Or, why not, just enjoy it on its own!

Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread (No Yeast) - My Gorgeous Recipes (4)

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Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread (No Yeast) - My Gorgeous Recipes (5)

Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread (No-Yeast)

Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread is a fantastic homemade crusty bread with no yeast, no kneading, and you get golden heaven on your table in only 40 minutes. A great traditional Irish recipe for St Patrick's Day, this bread is made with white and wholemeal flour, soda and buttermilk, and it's the best bread you can get. Quick and easy bread that tastes just like a proper bread should taste like. Nothing beats homemade baking, and this bread recipe so good.

3.78 from 86 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Irish

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 bread

Calories: 2030kcal

Author: Daniela Apostol

Ingredients

  • 250 g plain white flour
  • 250 g plain wholemeal flour
  • 1 ts salt
  • 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 450 ml buttermilk

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (390 Fahrenheit).

  • In a large bowl, sift the white and wholemeal flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and mix gently with the tips of your fingers.

  • Make a well in the middle and add the buttermilk.

  • Mix quickly to form a soft, pretty sticky dough, then turn it onto a lightly-floured surface and knead briefly, just enough for the dough to hold together and be shaped into a ball.

  • Flour a large baking tray, place the bread on it, then use a sharp knife to cut a cross on the top.

  • Spread some flour over it, then bake for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and the bottom of the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

  • Allow it to cool on a wire rack.

Video

Notes

  • If you'd like to see the ingredients listed in cups and ounces, please check the US Customary Link.
  • Also, the amount of ingredients changes depending on the servings, so click on the number listed to change it to the number you prefer.
  • Add more buttermilk if you feel that the dough is not soft enough - different brands of flour would get you different results - you can increase the buttermilk to up to 500 ml if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 2030kcal | Carbohydrates: 398g | Protein: 65g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 4014mg | Potassium: 1742mg | Fiber: 36g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 660IU | Calcium: 558mg | Iron: 17.9mg

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Paul Hollywood's Soda Bread (No Yeast) - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why does Irish soda bread not need yeast? ›

The Irishmen learned to adapt to this climate by growing soft wheat that is lower in gluten. The type of flour from this wheat is not compatible with the yeast to make the dough rise; thus, they use baking soda instead to make the famed Irish Soda Bread.

What yeast does Paul Hollywood use? ›

I always use 'fast-action' or 'easy-blend' yeast.

Why is my soda bread so dry? ›

Chances are good that the bread you ate suffered from one of three common problems: improper amount of baking soda (a gross, salty-bitter taste), over cooking (a dry, chalky texture), or undercooking (a soggy, doughy center).

What is the difference between soda bread and yeast bread? ›

It's called Irish Soda Bread because it's made with baking soda instead of yeast. Because of this, it's more dense than your everyday white sandwich bread. Hearty and rustic are the words that come to mind, and it tastes kind of nutty from the wholemeal flour.

Is there a difference between soda bread and Irish soda bread? ›

Sweeter Soda Bread

On this side of the Atlantic, what we call "Irish soda bread" is more rich and sweet, usually studded with raisins and caraway seeds. These cakey, scone-like loaves often include eggs and butter for tenderness and more flavor.

What's the difference between Irish bread and Irish soda bread? ›

However, the two loaves differ pretty significantly from there. Irish brown bread has a deep, nutty flavor because of its wheat flour and wheat bran while soda bread uses only white flour. Soda bread is slightly sweet and more scone-like while Irish brown bread is more savory with a tender interior.

What yeast do professional bakers use? ›

Fresh yeast, sometimes called cake yeast or compressed yeast, is a block of fresh yeast cells that contains about 70% moisture and is commonly used by baking professionals. It's pale beige in color, soft and crumbly with a texture similar to a soft pencil eraser, and has a stronger yeast smell than dry yeast.

What's the difference between active and instant yeast? ›

Active dry yeast and instant yeast both help leaven bread and provide an airy, light texture, but they do so in slightly different ways and there's one major difference in how you use them: Active dry yeast needs to be dissolved in water before using, while instant yeast can be mixed right into dry ingredients.

Which instant yeast is the best? ›

The most shelf-stable and reliable type of yeast is instant yeast, and our favorite brands are SAF Red Label and Dr. Oetker. Dry yeast is one of the miracles of modern baking—a free-flowing granular powder made from millions upon millions of dehydrated single-celled organisms.

Is Irish soda bread bad for you? ›

Nutrition Notes

Whole-wheat soda bread is a healthy addition to your plate! One serving—a 1/2-inch-thick slice—provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

Why is my Irish soda bread gummy? ›

And finally, don't immediately cut into the Fast Irish Soda bread when you pull it out of the oven. Although this bread is best served warm, cutting into it too quickly will turn the bread gummy.

Should you refrigerate soda bread? ›

Tightly wrap your leftover bread and place it in an airtight container. There's no need to refrigerate. As for how long soda bread lasts: Irish soda bread tends to dry out faster than other breads. The bread will be good for 3-4 days or up to three months if frozen.

Which is healthier, soda bread, or sourdough? ›

Both types of bread use flour and contain refined carbohydrates. Sourdough bread would be considered healthier in the fact that it is a fermented food with lower gluten levels, making it easier to digest.

Is soda bread healthier than yeast bread? ›

Soda bread is quick to prepare and is a low-fat, yeast-free option. It may help alleviate symptoms of bloating and discomfort. If you're new to baking or short on time, our seeded soda bread is an ideal loaf to bake at home.

Is soda bread good for your gut? ›

This soda bread recipe – which uses bicarbonate of soda rather than yeast – allows you to whip up delicious home-made bread quickly, and give your gut health a massive boost in the process. “Soda bread lends itself beautifully to healthy loaves that are full of nutrition,” says nutritionist Reece Carter.

Does Irish soda bread contain yeast? ›

Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that does not require any yeast. Instead, all of its leavening comes from baking soda and buttermilk. This Irish soda bread recipe is my grandmother's and has been cherished in my family for years. It's dense, yet soft and has the most incredible crusty exterior.

What is the science behind Irish soda bread? ›

When the acid of the buttermilk reacts to the baking soda, tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide leaven the bread. Using chemical reactions to make this tasty treat is a great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day — soda bread has been made in Ireland since at least 1836!

Is soda bread unleavened? ›

Irish soda bread is a dense, unleavened bread made with flour,buttermilk, salt, sugar, and baking soda instead of yeast. Thebread is filling and was introduced around the time of the Irishpotato famine of 1845-1849.

What is the raising agent in Irish soda bread? ›

Irish soda bread is a delicious and hearty bread that has been around for a very long time. It's not the only soda bread there is, but it is undoubtedly the most popular. What makes it different from other bread is it uses baking soda or sodium bicarbonate as a leavening agent instead of the common yeast.

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