Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread is a tasty wholemeal bread that is made without yeast. It’s quick and easy to make in your air fryer, perfect for St Patrick’s Day or any day that you need fresh bread quickly.
Why make Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread?
Do you ever have one of those days when you go to the bread bin and there’s nothing there? Then this Soda Bread recipe is the one to turn to for a quick and tasty bread that takes very little time to make. It’s also absolutely delicious and is the perfect accompaniment for hearty soups and stews.
How is Irish Soda Bread different from ordinary bread?
You need fresh or dried yeast combined with strong bread flour to make ordinary bread like my Easy Sourdough Bread. Irish Soda Bread uses plain and wholemeal flour and the raising agents are bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and buttermilk.
Soda Bread doesn’t keep as long as yeast-raised bread and it has a denser texture. However, you don’t have to knead it and it bakes in a much shorter time.
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a bit like a mini oven. However, the element is only at the top of the air fryer and it uses a powerful fan to circulate the heat. This combination of intense heat and circulation means that food crisps up quickly.
Air fryers were originally sold for their ability to create ‘fried’ food with less fat. However, the air fryer has developed and more people are recognising the potential to cook and bake all kinds of foods in this way.
What kind of Air Fryer do I need to bake Irish Soda Bread?
You will need the kind of air fryer that has temperature control as well as a timer and no paddle. Otherwise, any air fryer brand should do the job very well.
I have two air fryers, one is the type with a pull-out square drawer and the other an oven type. Both need to be pre-heated before use. If you have a different kind of air fryer you may need to adjust the timing or temperature by a minute or two either way.
What ingredients do I need for Irish Soda Bread?
All the ingredients are things that you are likely to find in your larder or fridge, here is what you need:
- Wholemeal flour
- plain white flour (all purpose)
- rolled oats (oatmeal)
- bicarbonate of soda
- salt
- black treacle or molasses
- buttermilk
A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.
I don’t have an Air Fryer can I still make this Irish Soda Bread?
I use my air fryer because it saves heating the whole oven for one loaf of bread. However, I have included the instructions for baking in a conventional oven too. You will find them in the recipe card notes at the bottom of this page.
What kind of flour do I need?
I use a mixture of wholemeal flour and plain (all-purpose) flour. Wholemeal flour includes the bran and wheat germ and provides a nice nutty flavour to the bread. However, I find that if I use all wholemeal the loaf is too dense so a mixture of the two flours provides just the right texture.
What kind of oats should I use?
Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Find the kind that has nice big flakes, and if you want it to be completely authentic, use Irish rolled oats. Don’t use quick oats (microwave oats) because the oatmeal has been pre-cooked. It is also very fine and won’t provide texture to the soda bread.
What is treacle?
Black treacle is a dark sticky syrup that is a byproduct of the sugar refining process. Treacle is best known as an ingredient in bakes like gingerbread. It is also used to make sweets like liquorice and treacle toffee.
Is molasses the same as treacle?
Molasses is similar but not the same as black treacle. It has a strong, bittersweet flavour and dark, almost opaque appearance. It is also generally thicker than treacle.
Can I use molasses in Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread?
I recommend that you use black treacle for the best results. However, if you can’t source it, then you can use molasses.
What is buttermilk?
Buttermilk is what is left after the cream is churned to make butter. When you combine buttermilk with bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) it reacts and creates carbon dioxide. This is what helps the soda bread to rise.
What can I substitute for buttermilk?
If you don’t have any buttermilk you can make a substitute that will work just as well. Add either a tablespoon of vinegar, lemon juice or natural yogurt to 250 ml (1 cup) of milk.
What equipment do I need to make Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread?
You probably have everything you need as most of these are basic baking items. Here is what you need:
- Air Fryer
- Large bowl
- Weighing scales
- Measuring jug
- Measuring spoons
- Blunt knife
- Baking tin (pan)
- Cooling tray (rack)
What kind of baking tin (pan) should I use?
Use a baking tin that fits inside your air fryer and check that you can close the drawer. I use a silicone pan that is 20cm x 18cm x 9cm (8in x 7in x 31/2 in). This is a silicone baking pan that I bought from Lakeland Limited and it is designed for the air fryer. However, I have made the soda bread in an 18 cm (7 in) metal baking pan.
Can I make Soda Bread ahead of time?
Irish Soda Bread is best eaten the same day that it is made. If you keep it for the following day I suggest that you toast the slices of bread before serving.
Can I freeze Irish Soda Bread?
Let the bread cool completely then slice. Lay the slices on a baking sheet and open freeze. Once the slices are solid, store them in a freezer-proof container for up to 3 months. Defrost the slices of soda bread on a cooling tray covered with a clean tea towel.
Why do you make a cross on Irish Soda Bread?
The cross helps the heat in your air fryer penetrate the inside of the soda bread and ensures an even bake. It is also quite a useful way to divide the bread into four large pieces without a bread knife. The loaf will break easily along the lines creating four quarters.
Vegetarian
Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread is suitable for vegetarians.
Gluten Free
The soda bread contains wheat flour and is not suitable for anyone on a gluten-free diet. Use this alternative recipe for Gluten Free Soda Bread.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How do I serve Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread?
I think that the best way to serve Irish Soda Bread is slightly warm with lots of butter! You can serve it as a snack as it is and it is lovely with cheese. Soda Bread also makes really tasty toast to serve at breakfast with butter and marmalade or with one of my homemade jams.
Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread is a great recipe to have in your repertoire because it means that if you run out of bread you can easily bake a loaf of soda bread in around 30 minutes.
More ways to serve Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
I also like to serve it with soup and stew to mop up all the lovely flavours in the bowl. You can also use the soda bread as a base for lots of different toppings like Sardines on Toast or baked beans.
Here are some soups and stews that you might like to serve with soda bread:
- Easy Scottish Red Lentil Soup
- Cullen Skink (Scottish Smoked Haddock Soup)
- Beef Stew & Dumplings
- Easy Chicken Leek & Barley Stew
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
Irish Soda Bread is a great bake to include in your St Patrick’s Day celebrations. It’s so quick and easy to make. If you have a little more time you might like to try making Irish Porter Cake. It’s a rich fruit cake made with Irish stout and it’s a real cut-and-come-again cake.
More Air Fryer Bakes
Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Large bowl
- weighing scales
- Measuring spoons
- measuring jug
- blunt knife
- cake tin (pan) that fits your air fryer
Ingredients
- 200 grams (1 ¼ cups) wholemeal flour
- 100 grams (¾ cups) plain white flour all purpose flour
- 50 grams (¼ cups) rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black treacle molasses
- 250 millilitres (1 cups) buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat your Air Fryer and grease a baking tin that fits inside your air fryer.
- Mix the 200 g (1¼ cups) wholemeal flour, 100 g (¾ cup) plain white (all purpose)flour, 50 g (¼ cup) rolled oats, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), 1 tsp salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add 1 tbsp treacle or molasses and 250 ml (1 cup) buttermilk to the flour and draw in the flour until you have a soft dough.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape into a round.
- Make a deep cross in the top of the dough with a blunt knife.
- Place the dough into the baking pan and place into the Air Fryer. Bake at 185C (365F) for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 170C (340F) and bake for 20 minutes.
- Check the soda bread after 20 minutes. Tap the bottom of the bread and if it sounds hollow it is done. If not turn the bread over and return to the air fryer for a further 5 minutes at 170C (340F).
- Remove from the tin and put on a cooling tray. Serve slightly warm with butter.
Notes
To bake the Wholemeal Soda Bread in a conventional oven
- Preheat the oven to 250C (475F)
- Once you have made the dough, place on a floured baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 200C (400F) and bake for a further 20-25 minutes.
Camilla Hawkins says
I love how versatile the Froothie Air Fryer is! Great looking soda bread Janice, thanks for linking to my recipes:-)
Janice Pattie says
Thank you Camilla, it really is a lovely little fryer and oven.
Laura @ KneadWhine says
Oh yum! I’ve not done soda bread for ages – I WILL rectify that this week. Thanks so much for the link.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Laura, hope you enjoy your soda bread.
Lucy says
Wow I am really impressed by what you can make in the Froothie Air Fryer! It would be a great addition to my kitchen gadgets. Your soda bread looks just how I like it, with a lovely crust.
Janice Pattie says
It is such a great piece of kitchen equipment, loving the versatility.
Claire @foodiequine says
I love soda bread and often make it at the weekend to go with soup for Saturday lunch. Perfect for upcoming St Patrick’s Day too.
Janice Pattie says
That’s exactly how I served it Claire.
Hannah Hossack-Lodge says
I love soda bread, it is so quick and easy to make, and so satisfying. Yours looks perfect, and what a great idea to bake it in an air fryer!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Hannah, lots of airfryer experimentation going on here!
Jan Bennett says
The Healthy Fry looks like the best air fryer out there! Love that it can bake bread as well as many other things.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Jan, I’m really enjoying its versatility.
Dom says
looks brilliant and so clever to make it in ‘the machine’… i’m now craving soda bread and scones… which one shall I bake?
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Dom, possibly both?
Eb Gargano / easypeasyfoodie.com says
Wow – is there no end to what the Optimum HealthyFry can do? I’m very impressed it can make bread. I love soda bread – so easy peasy and tastes delicious!! Perfect for when you want good food in a hurry. Eb x
Janice Pattie says
It seems not, Eb. Off to think of more recipes I can make in the Healthy Fry!
Cathy @ Planet Veggie says
We can make bread in the HealthyFry? Wahoo!!!
Janice Pattie says
I know, it’s a miracle – ha ha!
Choclette says
This is just brilliant. I love soda bread, but I’m not sure I’d have thought about baking it in the HealthyFry. But like you, I’ve been using it as a mini oven. Not having to heat the oven up makes such a huge difference. Happy St Patrick’s Day.
Janice Pattie says
I don’t know if I’d have thought to make it if I hadn’t seen your cake! Happy St Patrick’s Day to you too.
Donna Gerhart says
Hello
Great information. Like your list.
Thanks
Choclette says
So glad to have lighted on this post again. I’d completely forgotten about baking bread in the air fryer. Absolutely must give it a go. Such a good idea.
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, I use my air fryer more as a mini oven than for frying. It’s so convenient and uses less fuel than heating up the main oven.
Karen says
I love soda bread but would never have thought to cook it in the air fryer. What ask genius idea as this was so easy to do.
Cat says
We’ve been trying to eat more wholegrain bread so as soon as I saw this I wanted to try it. It was absolutely delicious and it didn’t last very long at all!
Janice Pattie says
That’s great to hear, it’s such a tasty loaf.
Sisley says
This is absolutely genius. I love how delicious it was and so easy to make in the air fryer.
Janice Pattie says
Thank you. We love it.
Derick Prentice says
Having to do all the cooking now as Im on my own (74) this bread was so so easy to make thanks, just one comment I followed the recipe to the letter but the crust all over was rather hard still very nice.
Next time would i lower the temp or time of cooking please.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Derick. I’m glad you found the recipe easy to make. It is quite a crusty loaf, you could try reducing the temperature but I haven’t tried it soI’m not sure that would help.