Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
If you love homemade bread but don’t have the time (or patience) for kneading and rising, this Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread is for you! It’s a quick, no-yeast bread that comes together in minutes, with a crispy crust and soft, slightly sweet interior. The air fryer speeds up the baking process, making it perfect for busy days when you want fresh bread without the hassle.
Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
This version is packed with golden raisins and dried cranberries, adding a touch of natural sweetness to every bite. It’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, afternoon tea, or simply slathered with butter and honey for a cozy treat. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a warm, golden loaf ready to enjoy in no time!
Whether you’re making this for a holiday gathering or just because, this soda bread is sure to impress. Plus, baking it in the air fryer keeps your kitchen cool and your oven free for other dishes. Now, let’s get baking!
What You Will Love About This Recipe
No yeast, no problem! This bread doesn’t require yeast or long rise times, so you can have it ready in under 30 minutes.
Golden and crispy crust. The air fryer gives it the perfect texture—crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside.
Perfectly sweet and buttery. The combination of butter, golden raisins, and dried cranberries adds just the right amount of sweetness.
Great for any occasion. Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day, breakfast, or a cozy snack, this bread is always a hit.
What do I need to make Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread?
- An air fryer. I like the Ninja Foodi that combines and air fryer and instant pot!
- All purpose flour.
- Baking soda.
- Brown sugar.
- Salt.
- Buter. I like to use high quality Irish butter, like Kerrygold.
- Golden raisins.
- Dried cranberries. This is not in the traditional Irish recipe, but I thought it added such an interesting depth of flavor.
- Egg.
- Buttermilk. I recommend using this over regular whole milk for the slight tangy flavor it adds, plus for all the moistness that buttermilk brings to pastries. If you don’t have buttermilk, add a bit of white vinegar to the whole milk and leave it for a few minutes.
How to make Irish Soda Bread in the Air Fryer
You want to start with whisking together the dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, and brown sugar.
Then work the butter into your flour, using a pastry blender or your hands. You want it to be a coarse mixture by the time you’re finished, then fold in the raisins and cranberries.
Make a well in the flour mixture, then pour the beaten egg and buttermilk into the center. Mix with a wooden spoon. The dough will be stiff but still slightly sticky.
Give the dough a very light knead and then transfer to a lightly floured surface. Divide into two pieces and form them both into round loaf shapes, then place them into greased 7-inch cake pans.
Score the tops with an X – this helps for even cooking.
Cook each dough in the air fryer, one at a time, for 20-25 minutes. Insert a toothpick to check for doneness before removing. Let rest for a few minutes before slicing with a sharp knife and serving. These can be served warm or at room temperature.
Tips & Tricks
Use cold butter for the best texture—this helps create a tender crumb.
Don’t overmix! Stir until just combined to keep the bread soft and fluffy.
Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, it’s ready!
Let it cool for at least 5 minutes before slicing to prevent it from crumbling.
Try different add-ins! Swap the raisins and cranberries for chocolate chips, nuts, or dried cherries for a fun twist.
FAQs about cheesecloth
Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
Traditional Irish Soda Bread made in the air fryer for the perfect St Patrick’s Day Treat! This quick bread is lightly sweetened with a crisp outside and studded with raisins. Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread recipe is so easy and convenient, it will be your go-to Irish snack.
Ingredients
- 4 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 6 Tablespoons Butter, Slightly Softened
- ½ Cup Golden Raisins
- ½ Cup Dried Cranberries
- 1 Large Egg, Beaten
- 1 ¾ Cups Buttermilk*
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk 4 ½ cups of flour together with the sugar, salt, and baking soda.
- Using a pastry blender or your hands, work the butter into the flour until coarse. Stir in the raisins and cranberries.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add in the beaten egg and buttermilk and mix with a wooden spoon. The dough should become stiff but still slightly sticky.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and split it in half, shape into two round loaves.
- Transfer the dough into lightly greased 7in cake pans or springform pans. Using a sharp knife, score each dough with an “X” on top. This helps for even cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 320℉. Cook each dough one at a time for 20-25 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, then it is done.
- Remove from cake pans and let rest on a cooling rack for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve the bread warm or at room temperature. Optional spreads: Butter, Honey, Jams, or Jellies.
Notes
Yields: 2 Small Loaves
*Buttermilk Substitution, add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1¾ cup of whole milk. Stir and let sit for a few minutes.
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
