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.
I love making themed snacks for every holiday! This year I’ve already made my St Patrick’s Day Marshmallow Pops and now I’ve decided to take a more traditional route for my Irish treats and made an Irish Soda Bread, but with a twist to make it so easy: Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread.
What is Irish Soda Bread?
Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that uses baking soda instead of more traditional yeast bread. All leavening comes from baking soda and buttermilk to make a soft and dense crumb. Serve this with my Corned Beef and Cabbage!
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.
Can I make this recipe in the oven?
This can easily be done in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer! Preheat the oven to 400 and place both loaves of bread on a baking sheet or on a cast-iron skillet. It will take about 30 minutes to bake the 7-inch loaves of bread, but if you do one large bread, it will take closer to 40-45 minutes.
Toppings
I like to make a board of all these toppings so everyone can choose their own!
- Lightly sweetened cream.
- Jam or jelly – I used raspberry jam and it was amazing!
- Honey. You can amp up the flavor profile by adding a bit of lemon juice.
- Softened butter.
Storage and Freezing
I do not recommend storing the bread in the fridge. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 day. It is best served the day of.
You can freeze by wrapping several times in plastic wrap then covering in aluminum foil. Store in the fridge for up to 2 months. When ready to serve again, let it come to room temperature on the counter. Heat back up in the oven for a few minutes if you want it warmed.
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!
