Gluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread

Last updated - July 11, 2021; Published - March 4, 2020 By Rhian Williams 60 Comments

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ThisGluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread is crusty on the outside, soft on the inside and packed with sweet raisins. It's filling and nutritious, slices well and is perfect for St. Patrick's Day!It's no-knead, yeast-free,oil-free, refined sugar freeand nut-free too.

Gluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread - Rhian's Recipes (1)

Inspired by this Gluten-Free Vegan Breadrecipe, I was keen to experiment with more quick-bread recipes and I knew I would have to try making a soda bread!

What is soda bread?

Soda bread is a yeast-free bread made using bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) as the raising agent. It is often combined with buttermilk, as the acidic buttermilk reacts with the alkaline bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) to make a fluffy dough.

It is really easy to make dairy-free buttermilk!

How do you make vegan "buttermilk"?

1. Mix almond milk with vinegar in ameasuring jug.

2. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Tip: This trick works with any kind of non-dairy milk, as the vinegar curdles the milk so that it resembles buttermilk.

How to make this recipe

Scroll down to the bottom of the post for thefull recipe.

Mix together all the ingredients in aglass mixing bowl.

Tip:This batter is much more liquid than a traditional soda bread, as gluten-free flours absorb a lot more moisture!

Gluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread - Rhian's Recipes (2)

Transfer the mixture into a baking dish lined with greased baking paper(I used a 20 cm/8 inch circular tin).

Tip:Take asmall knifeanddraw a crossover the top of the batter, if desired.

Gluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread - Rhian's Recipes (3)

Bake in the oven for around 45 minutes, until risen and an inserted skewer comes out clean.

Gluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread - Rhian's Recipes (4)

Make sure to leave the bread to cool down completely on acooling rackbefore packing it away to store because otherwise the steam from the warm bread will get trapped and you'll end up with soggy bread, which nobody wants!

How long does this keep for?

This Irish Soda Bread keeps well covered in the fridge for a good few days. If not eaten on the day it's made, it's best toasted before eating.

Can you freeze it?

If you're freezing it, you can just slice it up and put the whole thing in the freezer. Then when you want to eat it you can just pop the slices of bread in the toaster straight from frozen.

Substitutions you can make

You can use any type of plant-based milk.
The rice flour and tapioca flour can be replaced with an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend.
The vinegar can be replaced with lemon juice.
The raisins can be omitted.
The raisins can be replaced with dried cranberries or chopped dates.
You can add some chopped walnuts.
You can add some mixed seeds and/or sprinkle them on top.
You can add some caraway seeds!

Gluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread - Rhian's Recipes (5)

More gluten-free vegan bread recipes

Gluten-Free Vegan Chickpea Bread
Gluten-Free Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread
Gluten-Free Vegan Almond Bread
Gluten-Free Vegan Oat Bread
Gluten-Free Vegan Dinner Rolls
Gluten-Free Vegan Seeded Buckwheat Bread
Gluten-Free Vegan Cornbread
Gluten-Free Vegan Bread Rolls
Gluten-Free Vegan Oatmeal Bread
Gluten-Free Vegan Biscuits
Gluten-Free Vegan Carrot Bread
Gluten-Free Vegan Orange Bread
Quinoa Bread
or browse the whole collection!

If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog,I’d really love to hear anyfeedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes onInstagram! Thank you.

Watch how to make this recipe

ThisGluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread iscrustyon the outside,softon the inside and packed withsweet raisins. It'sfillingandnutritious,slices welland is perfect forSt. Patrick's Day!It'sno-knead,yeast-free,oil-free,refined sugar freeandnut-freetoo.

4.15 from 62 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: gluten-free irish soda bread, vegan irish soda bread

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 18 slices

Calories: 127kcal

Author: Rhian Williams

Ingredients

▢ 375 ml (1 ½ cup) unsweetened almond milk (or any other plant-based milk)
▢ 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
▢ 220 g (2 cups) chickpea (gram) flour
▢ 220 g (2 cups) rice flour
▢ 30 g (¼ cup) tapioca flour
▢ 6 teaspoons baking powder (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
▢ ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
▢ Pinch salt
▢ 150 g (1 cup) raisins or sultanas (optional)
▢ 120 ml (½ cup) water

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
Measure out the milk and, leaving it in the measuring container, add the vinegar and stir - leave to sit for around 10 minutes, while you do the rest of the steps.
Place the chickpea flour, rice flour, tapioca flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt and raisins in a large bowl and mix well.
Add the milk and vinegar mixture and the water, and mix again.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish lined with greased baking paper (I used a 20cm/8inch circular tin).
Take a small knife and draw a cross over the top of the batter, if desired.
Bake in the oven for around 45 minutes, until risen and an inserted skewer comes out clean.
Leave to cool slightly before slicing.
Leave to cool on a wire rack before putting away to store.
Keeps well in the fridge for up to a few days - if not eaten on the day it's made, it's best toasted before eating.

Video

Notes

You can use any type of baking tin you like, but to get a beautifully risen, puffed-up bread with a traditional cross on the top, I would recommend using a circular baking tin.
The cross on the top might look fancy, but it's super easy to make - all you need to do is use a knife to score the top in a cross pattern before you put it in the oven.
Make sure to leave the bread to cool down completely on acooling rackbefore packing it away to store because otherwise the steam from the warm bread will get trapped and you’ll end up with soggy bread, which nobody wants!
This batter is much more liquid than a traditional soda bread, as gluten-free flours absorb a lot more moisture!

Substitutions you can make

You can use any type of plant-based milk.
The rice flour and tapioca flour can be replaced with an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend.
The vinegar can be replaced with lemon juice.
The raisins can be omitted.
The raisins can be replaced with dried cranberries or chopped dates.
You can add some chopped walnuts.
You can add some mixed seeds and/or sprinkle them on top.
You can add some caraway seeds!

Nutrition Facts

Gluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread

Amount Per Serving

Calories 127Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Sodium 69mg3%

Potassium 316mg9%

Carbohydrates 26g9%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 5IU0%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 92mg9%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Made the recipe?Tag @rhiansrecipes on instagram and use the hashtag #rhiansrecipes!

Disclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase any of these products, a small percentage will come to me with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.

More Baking & Dessert Recipes

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Gluten-Free Vegan Raspberry Cake
Gluten-Free Vegan Orange Poppy Seed Muffins

Reader Interactions

Comments

Giulianna Rivera
February 24, 2022 at 2:20 am

is there a sub for chickpea flour… possibly quinoa?
Reply
- Rhian Williams
  February 24, 2022 at 2:37 pm
  
  You could use almond flour or ground almonds instead of the chickpea flour!
Glenn Smith
March 18, 2023 at 1:39 am

This was wonderful. I used the Almond flour and also a little melted smart balance for a little butter flavor. Thank You
Reply
- Rhian Williams
  March 18, 2023 at 2:29 am
  
  Thank you so much, so happy to hear that!
Dawn Solomon
March 18, 2023 at 11:30 am

This was so good and so easy to make with simple ingredients. I loved it! I used Bob's Red Mill All-purpose gluten-free flour. It came out perfect!
Reply
- Rhian Williams
  March 19, 2023 at 12:56 am
  
  Thank you so much, so happy to hear that!
Amy S
November 27, 2023 at 11:02 pm

I'm excited to try this. I would like to bake this in a round dish but all I have is pie dishes. Are the sides on those too low?
Reply
- Rhian Williams
  November 28, 2023 at 3:55 am
  
  Hi! Yes unfortunately a pie dish would probably have sides that are too low. You could bake it in a square baking tin though, if you have one of those.

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Gluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread - Rhian's Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to making good gluten free bread? ›

Tips and Techniques to make better Gluten Free Bread

Use psyllium husk powder.
Let the dough rest (not exactly the same as a bulk proof)
Mix or knead thoroughly.
Use less yeast.
Bake in a tin with tall sides.
Bake for longer, often at a lower temperature.
Create steam in the oven.
Use the tangzhong or scalded flour method.

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.

Explore More ›

Why do you put apple cider vinegar in gluten free bread? ›

Apple cider vinegar or another acid lightens up the dough. You can add up to 4 Tbsp of acid for 500 g gluten-free flour. Don't worry, you won't be able to taste it afterwards. To lighten up a yeast dough even more, you can add a packet of baking powder or cream of tartar baking powder to 500 g flour.

Learn More ›

How do you make bread rise without gluten? ›

Eggs are natural leaveners that help boost the rise and volume of bread. Eggs also add moisture, flavor, and protein to gluten-free bread recipes. If you select a gluten-free bread recipe that includes eggs, you have a better chance that the resulting bread will have good color, more volume, and softer texture.

Read On ›

What flour is best for gluten-free bread? ›

What's the best gluten-free flour for baking? Bob's Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 baking mix is my favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for baking. It has a mild texture and plenty of "stick" thanks to a blend of sweet rice flour, brown rice flour, and sorghum flour, plus some starches and xanthan gum.

Know More ›

What is the biggest challenge of making gluten-free bread? ›

One of the main challenges in making gluten-free bread is achieving the same texture and rise as traditional wheat bread.

Learn More ›

Do people in Ireland eat Irish soda bread? ›

Ireland, for one, has embraced it's kind of bread – the soda bread. It is a basic staple among the Irish that they call it Irish Soda Bread. It's common to see the locals pair this famous bread with a bottle of Guinness too.

Why is my Irish soda bread so dry? ›

It's important to remember no to overmix your ingredients. Irish Soda Bread is a dense bread, similar to a scone, but can easily become dry if overmixed. Quickly add the wet ingredients to a well you've made in the dry ingredients, and mix with your hands or a dough hook until it just comes together.

Read The Full Story ›

Why do Irish people eat soda bread? ›

Irish soda bread was first created in the 1830s, when baking soda was first introduced to the UK. At the time, Ireland was facing financial hardship and lack of resources, so they turned to soda bread out of neccessity, it was inexpensive and required few ingredients.

View Details ›

Is vinegar bad for gluten intolerance? ›

Most vinegars are gluten-free. Most varieties are distilled and made from inherently gluten-free ingredients such as grapes. The only vinegar that needs to be avoided is malt vinegar. Malt vinegar is not distilled, and malt is derived from barley, a grain that is not gluten-free.

What gluten-free flour works best with yeast? ›

If you want to buy just one gluten-free flour, we highly recommend the Pillsbury all-purpose gluten-free flour. Not only is it our favorite gluten-free flour, and easy to use in gluten-free recipes, but it's also one of the few gluten-free flours currently on the market that is recommended for baking with yeast.

Tell Me More ›

Is it cheaper to make your own gluten-free bread? ›

Luckily, gluten-free bread is much tastier and cheaper if you make it at home. You can bake gluten-free bread in an oven, but if you regularly bake gluten-free bread, I highly recommend investing in a bread maker.

Get More Info Here ›

Why is my homemade gluten-free bread so dense? ›

Dense loaf- you may need to use more liquid, gluten free dough is usually wetter than regular wheat flour dough resembling a thick brownie batter. How much liquid is enough in a recipe ultimately depends not on formulas but in observation. You may need more or less liquid than the recipe specifies.

Get More Info ›

What is the trick to baking with gluten free flour? ›

2 teaspoons of baking powder per cup of gluten-free flour is necessary to ensure proper leavening. Baking soda and buttermilk can be used to leaven instead of baking powder, but 1-1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar should be added for each 1/2 teaspoon baking soda used.

Get More Info ›

What does cream of tartar do in gluten-free bread? ›

A: Yes, cream of tartar can be used in gluten-free bread recipes to improve dough stability and rise.

Get More Info Here ›

Why is it so challenging to make good gluten-free bread? ›

Running into problems. Gluten is protein that elasticizes dough, providing structure and enabling it to trap the carbon dioxide generated by yeast. (This is why many gluten-free formulations don't use yeast.) Eliminating it often leaves dough that is runnier than conventional bread dough.

Is there a trick to baking with gluten-free flour? ›

Keep Reading ›

How do you make gluten-free bread less crumbly? ›

The gluten in traditional flour is what gives dough its stickiness. Without it, gluten-free products can be dry and crumbly. There is a way to compensate for this however — use xanthan gum. Some bakers also use gelatin or agar.