18 Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread Recipes Will Make You Forget Traditional Bread Ever Existed

Look, I get it. Going gluten-free can feel like someone just snatched away your favorite comfort foods and left you with sad, crumbly substitutes. But here’s the thing about Irish soda bread—it was basically made for the gluten-free makeover. No yeast, no fancy techniques, just simple ingredients mixed together and baked until golden. It’s the laid-back cousin of bread-making that doesn’t require a culinary degree.

Irish soda bread has this rustic, no-nonsense vibe that I absolutely love. It doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. And when you swap regular flour for gluten-free alternatives? Magic happens. These 18 recipes prove that gluten-free doesn’t mean flavor-free or fun-free. Whether you’re hosting a St. Patrick’s Day brunch or just want something warm and carb-y to slather with butter on a Tuesday night, these recipes have your back.

Ready to turn your kitchen into an Irish bakery? Let’s go.

1. Classic Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread

Sometimes you just want the OG version without the frills. This one’s your best friend.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (make sure it has xanthan gum)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1¾ cups buttermilk
• 1 egg (beaten)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
3. Create a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk and egg.
4. Stir gently until just combined—don’t overmix or you’ll end up with a hockey puck.
5. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on your prepared baking sheet.
6. Cut a deep cross on top (it’s traditional, plus it helps with even baking).
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and it sounds hollow when you tap the bottom.

Why You’ll Love It

This recipe is foolproof. I’ve made it at 6 AM while half-asleep, and it still turned out great. The crust gets perfectly crispy while the inside stays tender. Pro tip: eat it warm with salted Irish butter. You’re welcome.

2. Honey-Sweetened Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Who says soda bread has to be savory? This slightly sweet version is breakfast goals.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour blend
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup honey
• 1½ cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 375°F.
2. Combine dry ingredients in one bowl.
3. Whisk honey, buttermilk, and melted butter in another bowl.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until just combined.
5. Form into a loaf, score the top with an X.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The honey adds this subtle sweetness that makes every bite feel like a cozy hug. I’ve toasted leftover slices and topped them with cream cheese and jam—absolutely next level.

3. Cheddar and Chive Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Savory, cheesy, and dangerously addictive. This one disappears fast.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 3 tablespoons fresh chives (chopped)
• 1¾ cups buttermilk
• 1 egg

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat to 375°F.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Stir in cheese and chives.
4. Add buttermilk and egg, mixing gently.
5. Shape and score the loaf.
6. Bake 40-45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The melted cheddar pockets throughout are chef’s kiss. IMO, this is the ultimate side for soup or stew. Just don’t blame me when you eat half the loaf in one sitting.

4. Rosemary and Olive Oil Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Mediterranean vibes meet Irish tradition. It’s as good as it sounds.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour blend
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary (chopped)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Set oven to 375°F.
2. Mix all dry ingredients plus rosemary.
3. Drizzle in olive oil and buttermilk.
4. Combine gently and shape your loaf.
5. Score with an X and bake 40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The rosemary makes your kitchen smell like an Italian villa (or at least I imagine that’s what they smell like). This bread pairs perfectly with pasta dishes or just dipped in more olive oil with balsamic.

5. Gluten-Free Soda Bread with Raisins and Caraway Seeds

Traditional Irish soda bread often includes these ingredients, and honestly? They’re classic for a reason.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix dry ingredients, raisins, and caraway seeds.
3. Pour in buttermilk and stir until combined.
4. Shape into a round loaf and score.
5. Bake for 45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The raisins add little bursts of sweetness while the caraway seeds bring that authentic Irish flavor. Some people aren’t fans of caraway (looking at you, Dad), but I think it makes the whole thing special.

6. Brown Sugar and Walnut Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Nutty, sweet, and perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour blend
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup walnuts (chopped)
• 1¾ cups buttermilk
• 1 egg

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, and walnuts.
3. Add buttermilk and egg, mixing until just combined.
4. Form loaf, score, and bake 40-45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The walnuts get toasty during baking and add amazing texture. I’ve eaten this straight from the oven with nothing but butter, and it was one of my top food moments of the year 🙂

7. Jalapeño and Corn Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Irish? Not exactly. Delicious? Absolutely.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• 2 jalapeños (diced)
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat to 375°F.
2. Mix dry ingredients.
3. Stir in corn and jalapeños.
4. Add buttermilk and combine.
5. Shape, score, and bake 40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

This one’s got a kick that wakes up your taste buds. Serve it alongside chili and watch everyone go back for seconds. FYI, remove the jalapeño seeds if you’re spice-sensitive.

8. Cranberry Orange Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Sweet, tart, and festive—this one’s holiday material.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Set oven to 375°F.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, cranberries, and orange zest.
3. Pour in buttermilk and stir gently.
4. Shape, score, bake 40-45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The orange zest brightens everything up while the cranberries add pops of tartness. This would be amazing on a Thanksgiving or Christmas table.

9. Garlic and Herb Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Because garlic makes everything better. It’s just science.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons mixed herbs (parsley, thyme, oregano)
• 1¾ cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat to 375°F.
2. Combine dry ingredients, garlic, and herbs.
3. Add buttermilk and butter, mixing gently.
4. Form loaf, score, bake 40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

Your house will smell incredible while this bakes. It’s basically garlic bread’s cooler Irish cousin. Perfect alongside marinara for dipping.

10. Chocolate Chip Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Is it breakfast? Is it dessert? Who cares—it’s delicious.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1¾ cups buttermilk
• 1 egg

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix dry ingredients and chocolate chips.
3. Add buttermilk and egg.
4. Shape, score, bake 40-45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

Warm chocolate chips in fresh bread? Yes, please. I may or may not have eaten this for dinner once. No regrets.

11. Sundried Tomato and Basil Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Italian flavors crash the Irish bread party, and everyone’s invited.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup sundried tomatoes (chopped)
• 3 tablespoons fresh basil (chopped)
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat to 375°F.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, tomatoes, and basil.
3. Add buttermilk and combine.
4. Shape, score, bake 40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The sundried tomatoes add intense umami flavor. This bread is incredible with mozzarella and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

12. Maple Pecan Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Sweet, nutty, and perfect for autumn mornings.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• ¾ cup pecans (chopped)
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Set oven to 375°F.
2. Combine dry ingredients and pecans.
3. Whisk maple syrup with buttermilk, then add to dry mixture.
4. Shape, score, bake 40-45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The maple syrup adds this cozy sweetness that screams fall. Toast a slice and top with cream cheese—you can thank me later.

13. Everything Bagel Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Because everything bagel seasoning belongs on, well, everything.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
• 1¾ cups buttermilk
• 1 egg

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat to 375°F.
2. Mix dry ingredients and 2 tablespoons of the seasoning.
3. Add buttermilk and egg.
4. Shape loaf and sprinkle remaining seasoning on top.
5. Score and bake 40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

It tastes like your favorite bagel in bread form. Perfect for breakfast sandwiches or just schmeared with cream cheese.

14. Lemon Blueberry Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Light, fruity, and surprisingly sophisticated.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix dry ingredients and lemon zest.
3. Gently fold in blueberries.
4. Add buttermilk and combine carefully.
5. Shape, score, bake 40-45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The blueberries burst during baking, creating these jammy pockets of flavor. The lemon keeps it from being too sweet. Brunch perfection.

15. Bacon and Scallion Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Bacon in bread. Need I say more?

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled)
• 4 scallions (chopped)
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat to 375°F.
2. Mix dry ingredients, bacon, and scallions.
3. Add buttermilk and stir.
4. Shape, score, bake 40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

Savory, smoky, and utterly irresistible. I’ve served this at brunch and people lose their minds. It’s that good.

16. Pumpkin Spice Gluten-Free Soda Bread

For when you want all the fall vibes in bread form.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• 1½ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Set oven to 375°F.
2. Mix dry ingredients and spices.
3. Whisk pumpkin puree with buttermilk.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
5. Shape, score, bake 40-45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s like pumpkin bread and Irish soda bread had a baby. Warm, spiced, and absolutely seasonal. Great with coffee.

17. Apple Cinnamon Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Sweet, comforting, and perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 apple (peeled and diced)
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat to 375°F.
2. Combine dry ingredients and cinnamon.
3. Fold in diced apple.
4. Add buttermilk and mix gently.
5. Shape, score, bake 40-45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The apples get soft and sweet during baking. This tastes like fall in every bite. Serve warm with butter or cream cheese.

18. Seeds and Oats Gluten-Free Soda Bread

Hearty, nutritious, and wonderfully textured.

Ingredients

• 1¾ cups gluten-free flour
• ¼ cup gluten-free oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame)
• 1¾ cups buttermilk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and seeds (reserve some for topping).
3. Add buttermilk and combine.
4. Shape loaf, brush with water, and sprinkle reserved seeds on top.
5. Score and bake 40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The seeds add crunch and the oats make it extra filling. This is my go-to when I want something wholesome but still delicious.

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Time to Get Baking

There you have it—18 gluten-free Irish soda bread recipes that prove you don’t need gluten to make incredible bread. From classic to creative, savory to sweet, there’s something here for every mood and occasion. The best part? These recipes are ridiculously forgiving. Soda bread doesn’t require kneading, rising, or any of that fussy stuff.

Grab your gluten-free flour, buttermilk, and whatever mix-ins make your heart happy. Your kitchen is about to smell amazing, and your stomach will thank you. Which recipe are you trying first? Personally, I’m making the cheddar and chive version this weekend—because cheese always wins.