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This absolutely gorgeous gluten free soda bread is quick to make, using only one bowl and simple ingredients. No yeast needed, no proving time needed, you simply mix, shape and bake.

Soda bread is quite scone-like in texture, satisfyingly dense yet soft and bouncy, absolutely delicious eaten warm with butter and jam.

If you want to learn more about making your own gluten free bread at home, I’d recommend my cookbook. It has a whole chapter on lovely breads (as well as lots of meal and baking recipes): Eat & Enjoy Gluten Free (Amazon review: “Without doubt this is the best gluten free (actually scrap that) .. this is the best recipe book I own!” Jen).

What Ingredients Do I Need?

For this soda bread I use gluten free self raising flour, bicarbonate of soda, xanthan gum, sugar, salt, butter, egg and buttermilk.

The buttermilk and the bicarbonate of soda react once mixed together, ensuring the bread starts to rise rapidly during baking. As this is a gluten free soda bread, I have opted for self raising flour rather than the traditional plain flour, as the absence of gluten can limit the rise.

And that’s also the reason for using our magic ingredient xanthan gum, which helps to bind the dough and ensure it is not too crumbly. While the egg and butter also help with the structure and tenderness of the crumb, which can otherwise suffer when you omit gluten from breads.

I Can’t Find Buttermilk – Is There an Alternative I Can Use?

Buttermilk is usually found in the fresh dairy produce area of supermarkets in the UK, in the milk and cream section. If you can’t find it or want to make a lactose free buttermilk, it is easy to make at home, simply follow this BBC recipe.

Which Flour Do You Use?

I use a flour that is widely available in the UK, FREEE by Doves Farm Self Raising Flour. You can find it in every large UK supermarket, in the free from section.

If you only have plain flour available where you live (or have simply run out of self raising), add 5 tsp baking powder and an additional half tsp xanthan gum (unless your blend already contains it). This will ensure the bread maintains some rising power once the initial reaction from the bicarb has run out.

Gluten Free Soda Bread Recipe

Time for the recipe, which you’ll find below. It will make medium-sized loaf that will easily feed 4 hungry people (maybe more, depending on your appetites). If you don’t get through it all, simply slice up any leftovers and freeze. Then simply microwave of toast to defrost.

If you have questions, please do message me on social media (@myglutenfreeguide) or email me at laura@mygfguide.com. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

If you enjoy this gluten free soda bread recipe, please leave a review on the recipe card below as reviews are immensely helpful.

Laura x

Gluten Free Soda Bread
Yield: Makes 1 Loaf

Gluten Free Soda Bread

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

A gorgeous gluten free soda bread made to an easy method, with no yeast and only simple ingredients needed. Delicious sliced warm with jam and butter.

Ingredients

  • 500g gluten free self raising flour (I used FREEE by Doves Farm)
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 2 tsp caster/superfine sugar
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 50g chilled unsalted butter
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 350ml buttermilk
  • A few gluten free oats for decoration (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 180C (fan) and line a small baking tray with a silicone baking mat or non stick baking paper.
  • Add the flour to a large mixing bowl then sift in the bicarbonate of soda, xanthan gum, sugar and salt. Mix well to combine.
  • Grate in the chilled butter, then rub the strands of butter into the flour for 1 minute, to ensure it is evenly distruted (as pictured below - does not need to be completely rubbed into the flour, just well distributed).
  • Beat the egg and add to the dry ingredients, along with the buttermilk. Mix to combine with a wooden spoon for a couple of minutes. Then work the dough with your hands until you have a very sticky dough.
  • Wet your hands with water (to stop the dough sticking to your hands) and tip the dough onto your prepared baking tray. With wet hands, shape the dough into a boule shape (see image below) and smooth the outside.
  • Brush the boule with a little buttermilk, cut a criss cross on the top with a sharp knife, then sprinkle the top with a few gluten free oats. Then bake in the middle of the oven for 45 minutes at 180C (fan).
  • Once baked, you can tuck in straight away, althought the bread may be a little crumbly when very warm. If you can manage to wait 30 minutes it should be perfect, and still lovely and warm. Enjoy slathered with butter and jam!

    • Notes

    If you don't have self raising flour, use plain/all purpose/cup for cup gf flour plus 5 tsp baking powder and an additional 0.5 tsp xanthan gum (unless your blend already contains it).

    If you don't have buttermilk, please see the recipe introduction for how to make you own. Similarly if you need a dairy free option for this bread.

    Any leftovers can be sliced and frozen. Then simply microwave or toast to defrost when needed.

    © Laura Strange (www.mygfguide.com)
    Cuisine: Bread / Category: Brilliant Bread

    I hope you enjoy this gluten free soda bread! For more delicious bakes, why not try some of these recipes:

    Happy baking! x