This Vegan Irish Soda Bread recipe is super quick, hearty and perfect for soup season! Best of all, there is no yeast or rising time required.
This is another recipe I've had on my list for ages. And what better time to tackle it than right now, just before soup season commences? This Vegan Irish Soda Bread recipe is the perfect accompaniment to literally any soup and for toast. Dip it into your favorite stew or serve it with vegan butter and jam. Its really basic and only requires 8 ingredients and just a few minutes to stir together.

Ingredients
Okay, like I just said, you're only 8 ingredients away from a fresh warm loaf of Vegan Irish Soda Bread.
Flour: Just plain old all purpose flour, here. My favorite brand is King Arthur.
Sugar: Its undetectable taste wise in the finished loaf. But, a little bit of sugar helps tenderize this Vegan Soda Bread and promotes browning. Don't skip it!
Baking Powder and Soda: A combination of baking powder and baking soda yeilds a nice, high, even rise.
Salt: For flavor.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Oil helps to prevent this loaf from becoming tough and dense.
Plant Milk: Use a plain, unsweetened plant milk here. Any variety will do! I have used both soymilk and coconut milk with identical results.
Lemon Juice: Combine lemon juice with the plant milk to create a kind of buttermilk. The acid will activate the baking soda in this vegan soda bread. You can also use plain old white vinegar.
Storage
This Vegan Soda Bread is at its absolute peak when eaten still warm from the oven. But, it is a big loaf and and I can never eat the entire thing in one go.
So, to store, slice the entire loaf and place into an airtight container. The loaf will be great on the counter for 1 day, but for any longer than that, I recommend freezing.
To freeze, slice the loaf, and transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer. This loaf will stay as tasty as the day it was baked for a whole month in the freezer.
To defrost, remove the amount of slices you wish and defrost in a toaster.
Looking for Soup Recipes to Serve it with?
Vegan Vegetable and Barley Stew
Italian White Bean and Escarole Soup
Or check out this round up of vegan soups by A Couple Cooks!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Soda Bread
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 1 Baking Tray
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 3 ¾ Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
- 2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Baking Soda
- 1 ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt ¾ teaspoon if using table salt
- 1 ⅓ Cups Plain Unsweetened Plant Milk I used So Delicious Coconut Milk
- 4 teaspoon Lemon Juice or White Vinegar
- 3 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F. Line a baking tray with parchment.
- In a small bowl or in a pint sized liquid measuring cup, combine plant milk and lemon juice. Set aside.1 ⅓ Cups Plain Unsweetened Plant Milk, 4 teaspoon Lemon Juice or White Vinegar
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir.3 ¾ Cups All Purpose Flour, 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar, 2 teaspoon Baking Powder, ½ teaspoon Baking Soda, 1 ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- Add olive oil into the milk and lemon juice mixture and then add the liquids into the dry ingredients.3 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Stir until mostly combined (see picture for reference) then lightly flour your work surface and turn the shaggy dough out onto it. Fold the dough a few times just until it comes together. It will be sticky, so flour your hands if you need to! (see note)
- Then pat the dough into a ball with a 6" diameter. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Using a sharp knife, score an X onto the top of the loaf.
- Place in a 400° F oven for 45 minutes or until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Tom
Hi,
Can we make it gluten-free?
Megan Calipari
I've never tried to make this recipe gluten free, but I don't think id recommend it. Try finding a soda bread recipe that is made to be gluten-free for best results!