Keto Irish Soda Bread

This keto Irish soda bread has a crunchy crust and a rustic texture. It is a simple, quick and flavourful bread that requires just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes prep time.

It is St. Patricks day tomorrow and everyone is thinking about cabbage, green desserts... and Irish soda bread!

There are many ways to make this classic bread, and recipes range from dense and dark to sweet versions that resemble a gigantic scone.

My keto soda bread is a gluten-free, grain free version of how my Irish friend Annie likes hers. It has the same rustic crumb and texture as the traditional recipe and contains the two essential ingredients: baking soda and buttermilk.

You are going to love how simple this bread is to make. There is no need for any fancy equipment. A bowl, a spatula and your hands will do!

Of course, this is such a delicious quick bread that we don't only make it for St. Paddy's day.

In my opinion, it is a great everyday bread for any time of the year.

Jump to:

• 🌟 Why You'll Love This Bread
• Ingredients
• Recipe Variations
• Instructions
• Recipe FAQs
• Serving Suggestion
• Storage
• Related recipes
• Recipe

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you'll need:

• Almond flour - I used ground almonds, which is equivalent to regular almond flour.
• Ground flaxseed - Both brown and golden flax meal work fine. The brown flax has a nuttier taste.
• Psyllium husk powder - Psyllium is a prebiotic fiber and creates a fluffy texture in low carb bread.
• Buttermilk - This is the secret ingredient in classic Irish soda bread. It assists with the leavening of the dough. My buttermilk was fairly thick. Buttermilk contains a moderate amount of carbs. However, calculated per slice the bread is keto friendly.
• Egg - Whisk the egg well before adding it.
• Baking Soda - Also called bicarbonate of soda. It would not be soda bread without the baking soda!
• Salt - This is optional, but I added a dash sea salt to the dough for a better flavor.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Recipe Variations

I like my soda bread savoury. However, you can also make a sweet version! Simply add 1-2 tablespoons of powdered sweetener of your choice (allulose would be perfect). Instead of currants, stir in a handful of sugar-free dried cranberries.

Another option is to add crunch: chopped walnuts, pecans or seeds such as pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. Add these into the dough or sprinkle over the top.

If you really, really want to avoid buttermilk, I suggest that you use full fat plain yogurt or Greek yogurt instead. Another option would be to replace the buttermilk with ¼ cup or 60 ml heavy cream, ¼ cup or 60 ml almond milk and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Knead the dough and add more almond milk if required.

Dairy-free: For a dairy-free version, use coconut yogurt.

Instructions

This section contains step-by-step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients.

Step 2: Make a hollow in the centre and add the beaten egg and the buttermilk. Combine with a spatula, then knead the dough until smooth.

Step 3: Form a dough ball, then let it rest for 10 minutes. During this time, the flax and psyllium absorb the moisture.

Step 4: Form a loaf and put it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Score the top with a knife. Bake in the oven until golden brown and you can insert a toothpick without crumbs sticking.

Let the bread cool fully on a wire rack before slicing. It firms up as it cools.

Recipe FAQs

Serving Suggestion

My favourite way of eating low carb Irish soda bread is simple: toasted and spread with a generous amount of butter.

For breakfast, it is also delicious with sweet toppings such as sugar free strawberry jam or sugar free lemon curd.

Or make a quick sandwich at lunchtime by topping it with anything from ham and cheese to keto tuna salad or keto egg salad.

The bread is also fabulous as a side to hearty soups such as my keto butternut squash soup, keto cabbage soup or keto tomato soup.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store the bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freezer: I love freezing bread, because then I can just pop a slice in the toaster when I feel like it. You can freeze it pre-sliced for up to 3 months.

Related recipes

Here are more easy keto bread recipes to try:

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