Easy Gluten Free Irish Brown Bread Recipe (no yeast!) (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Gluten Free Irish Brown Bread is an easy quick bread with no yeast. It’s so soft and the flavor is delightful! Serve with soup, eat by the slice, or enjoy any way you would eat bread.

GLUTEN FREE IRISH BROWN BREAD

Irish brown bread is a traditional soda bread made in Ireland. It’s typically made with whole wheat flour and wheat bran but I used a few simple swaps to make gluten free Irish brown bread.

This bread features a super soft texture and slightly nutty flavor. Because this isn’t a yeast bread, there is no rising time making it super quick and easy to make. It’s perfect for St Patrick’s Day or any other time of year!

Gluten free Irish brown bread has a slightly sweet flavor and is delightful by the slice but also makes a great companion to soups, casseroles, or your favorite cup of tea. Try slathering it with butter and your favorite jam.

WAIT! Don’t lose this post! Save this image on Pinterest

Looking for more gluten-free St. Patrick’s Day recipes? Try my traditional Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread Recipe, Pistachio Salad, or gorgeous green Gluten-Free Pistachio Cake

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IRISH SODA BREAD AND IRISH BROWN BREAD?

Although Irish soda bread and Irish brown bread are both quick breads using baking soda as a leavening agent instead of yeast, there are some distinct differences.

Irish soda bread is typically shaped into a large round loaf and includes raisins and sometimes caraway seeds, while Irish brown bread is baked in a traditional loaf pan and made with whole grain flour and bran to create an earthy color and nutty flavor.

INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN FREE IRISH BROWN BREAD

I love that this gluten-free soda bread recipe features simple ingredients you might already have on hand. I also love the added nutritional benefit of flaxseeds!

I modified this recipe from Martha Stewart, using flax seeds in place of the wheat bran like I do in my gluten-free bran muffins.

***Ingredient amounts and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

gluten-free flour blend

I tested this recipe with Cup4Cup and gfJules. While both turned out well, gfJules definitely had a softer, lighter texture more similar to traditional bread, and went longer before getting crumbly.

ground flaxseed

I used Bob’s Red Mill ground golden flaxseed. You can use any kind of ground flax seeds, but be aware that it will affect the color of the bread and also make sure it’s labeled gluten-free!

baking powder

Be sure your baking powder is fresh so you get a good rise. It’s recommended to open a new can every 6 months or so.

baking soda

Same tips as baking powder 🙂

salt

Can reduce or omit to reduce sodium.

sour cream

I recommend using full-fat sour cream for the best texture. You can substitute dairy-free sour cream if needed.

sugar

gives this bread a delightful, slightly sweet flavor.

oil

You’ll only need a little, and you’ll want to use one that has a neutral flavor such as avocado or canola.

eggs

Whisk them thoroughly before adding, which helps give rise to the bread. I haven’t tested this recipe with an egg replacement so if you do, please let me know how it turns out!

butter

You’ll need just a bit to top the loaf before baking to create a gorgeous crust, and a little more for greasing the loaf pan. You can use salted butter or unsalted butter (or even dairy free butter if you need to)

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE IRISH BROWN BREAD

This soda bread is such an easy recipe! If you need gluten-free bread but don’t have time to make a regular loaf, this one satisfy your craving and I even think it would work for sandwiches.

Full ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Prep:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a standard loaf pan with butter or oil, or line with parchment paper, and set aside.

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, flax seeds, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

PRO TIP: the gluten-free flour mix you use will greatly affect the texture of the bread. I recommend using gfJules for best results, but Cup4Cup also works.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, sugar, oil, and eggs.

Step 3: Mix Batter

Pour wet ingredients over flour mixture and fold with a rubber spatula just until combined and smooth.

Step 4: Bake

Spread batter into prepared loaf pan and dot top of the loaf with butter. Bake about 35 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Brush top with butter.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes before removing to a rack to cool completely before slicing.

GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR TIPS

When measuring gluten-free flour, always stir, scoop, and level to ensure you’re using the correct amount.

I had the best results with gfJules all-purpose gluten-free flour. Cup4Cup also worked but became crumbly a little quicker.

I think you could use Namaste to better replicate the traditional brown color of this recipe, but I would recommend reducing the amount by a tablespoon or two as it tends to soak up more moisture during baking.

HOW TO SERVE GLUTEN FREE IRISH BROWN BREAD

Honestly, you can serve a loaf of this brown soda bread any way you would eat regular gluten-free bread.

Slice with a sharp knife that you would use for gluten free bread.

Serve Irish brown bread by the slice or pair it with your favorite tea or other warm drink.

I haven’t tried this yet, but I think it would make good sandwiches! You would want to use for sandwiches the same day (or the day after) you make it, as it might become a little crumbly after that.

We love to eat Irish brown bread alongside a bowl of soup! Our favorites are my copycat Panera Bread10 Vegetable Soup and Instant Pot Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup.

HOW TO STORE IRISH SODA BREAD

Store gluten free Irish brown bread tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, at room temperature, for a day or two. You can also put it in the fridge, though it might become crumbly a bit faster.

It does freeze well, and you can thaw in the microwave to soften it back up.

MORE GLUTEN-FREE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Looking for more gluten-free recipes that actually taste good? Whether you have celiac disease or are eating gluten-free for another reason, here are some of my personal favorites:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make Irish brown bread dairy free?

Yes, simply use a dairy free sour cream and dairy free butter.

Can I make Irish brown bread without eggs?

I haven’t tried using an egg substitute in this recipe. If you try it, please let me know if it works!

Which flour works best in gluten-free Irish brown bread?

gfJules all purpose flour works best in this recipe, but I had fairly good results with Cup4Cup as well. Note that Cup4Cup does contain milk.

Let’s connect! You can follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook

GLUTEN FREE IRISH BROWN SODA BREAD RECIPE

You’re going to love this easy gluten free recipe! Irish brown bread has become a new family favorite and I can’t wait to hear how you enjoy it.

Please come back and leave a star rating and/or comment to let me know!

Yield: 1 loaf

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Additional Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Gluten Free Irish Brown Bread is an easy, yeast-free quick bread. It's so soft and the flavor is delightful! Serve with soup, eat by the slice, or enjoy any way you would eat bread.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups gluten-free flour (gfJules)
½ cup ground flax seeds
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream (8 ounces)
¼ cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1 ½ tablespoons neutral oil such as avocado
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
½ tablespoon butter, cut into 8 small pieces, plus more for pan

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter a standard-sized loaf pan and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, flax seeds, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In small bowl, whisk together sour cream, sugar, oil, and eggs.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and fold just until combined. It should be fairly thick, and sticky.
Spread batter into prepared loaf pan and dot with butter.
Bake 35 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be a light golden brown.
Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

Gluten-Free Flour Options:

I had great success with gfJules all-purpose flour (linked below). Cup4Cup also worked pretty well, and I think Namaste would be a nice whole grain option. If you use Namaste, I recommend reducing the flour by about 2 tablespoons.

For Dairy Free:

Use dairy-free butter and sour cream.

Tips:

Always stir, scoop, and level your flour when measuring.

Use full-fat sour cream.

Storage

Wrap in plastic wrap and store at room temp for a day or two, or in the fridge or freezer for longer.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest