Irish Soda Farls Recipe (2025)

Table of Contents

Why we love Irish Soda Farls Recipe What are Irish Soda Farls? Traditional Irish Food Ingredients in Irish Soda Farls Recipe How to make Irish Soda Farls Recipe Amazing places to explore in Dublin, Ireland Ingredients Instructions Nutrition Information: Yield: Serving Size: I’m so excited to share that I was recently in Dublin, Ireland! More Irish Recipes Enjoy our Irish Soda Farls Recipe– you’ll be in heaven with every bite! FAQs

Today’s Irish Soda Farls Recipe is a quick and simple soda bread that cooks in a skillet or griddle! I figured since I’m Irish and it’s getting close to St. Patricks Day it’s just got to be done! Soda Farls or as they’re commonly called in Ireland just plain Farls / Farl–will become a year round favorite. Our soda farl recipe will be your new go-to dinner biscuit!

Why we love Irish Soda Farls Recipe

Our Culinary Journey Around the World is jumping over to explore Ireland for a few weeks. Today’s recipe traditionally came from Northern Ireland and later in the post we’re exploring Dublin, Ireland.

I’m quiet in love with Ireland! I’m so excited to share some of the beautiful sights with you but first, lets enjoy some Irish Soda Farls together.

What are Irish Soda Farls?

• Irish Soda Farls Recipe is a soda bread dough that’s flattened into a round circle, and divided into farls meaning 4 parts.

• It is also referred to as Irish Griddle Bread because it’s cooked on a dry griddle or pan lightly sprinkled with flour.

• Traditionally this was the quickest way to make soda bread for unexpected guests who drop by for a bit of craic (good fun).

• It’s best eaten fresh with butter and jam.

• Have you tried Irish Kerrygold brand butter in the photo’s? It’s so very delightful, rich, and flavorful!

Traditional Irish Food

Irish food is known for the quality and freshness of its ingredients. Most cooking is done without herbs or spices, except for salt and pepper. Foods are usually served without sauce or gravy.

The staples of the Irish diet have traditionally been potatoes, grains (especially oats), and dairy products. Potatoes still appear at most Irish meals, with potato scones, similar to biscuits or muffins, a specialty in the north.

The Irish have also been accomplished cheesemakers for centuries. Ireland makes about fifty types of homemade “farmhouse” cheeses, which are considered delicacies.

Ingredients in Irish Soda Farls Recipe

all-purpose flour
sea salt
baking soda
buttermilk

How to make Irish Soda Farls Recipe

Preheat heavy based flat griddle or skillet on medium to low heat.
Place flour and salt in a bowl and sift in baking soda. Make a well in the center, and pour in the buttermilk.
Work quickly to mix into dough and knead very lightly on a well floured surface. Form into a flattened circle, about 1/2 inch thick and cut into quarters with a floured knife.
Sprinkle a little flour over the base of the hot pan and cook the farls for 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Amazing places to explore in Dublin, Ireland

Let take a look at some of the breath-taking places to visit in Ireland. . . someday I want to go and explore it all!

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

Preheat heavy based flat griddle or skillet on medium to low heat.
Place flour and salt in a bowl and sift in baking soda. Make a well in the center, and pour in the buttermilk.
Work quickly to mix into dough and knead very lightly on a well floured surface. Form into a flattened circle, about 1/2 inch thick and cut into quarters with a floured knife.
Sprinkle a little flour over the base of the hot pan and cook the farls for 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
Enjoy your Irish Soda Farls Recipe!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 252Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 961mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 8g

I’m so excited to share that I was recently in Dublin, Ireland!

It was so much fun to explore and share with all of you the places above- talk about coming full circle! Here are my other recipes and posts for you to read and enjoy!

• Irish Cheddar, Ham, and Chive Scones

• Our Guinness Beef and Potato Stew

More Irish Recipes

• Irish Corned Beef with Cabbage

• Irish Mushroom Melt

• Bangers and Mash with Brown Gravy

• Irish Coffee with Baileys and Kahlua

• Irish Cream Bundt Cake

• Irish Soda Bread

• Irish Creme de Menthe Cocktail

• Irish Stew

• Irish Ginger Snaps

Enjoy our Irish Soda Farls Recipe– you’ll be in heaven with every bite!

One more thing before you go…

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Love Always,

Ruthie & Madeliene

*I adapted this recipe from Allrecipesand other rescourcesFoods by Nations, andVisit Doublin

FAQs

Are soda farls healthy? ›

Soda bread is quick to prepare and is a low-fat, yeast-free option. It may help alleviate symptoms of bloating and discomfort. If you're new to baking or short on time, our seeded soda bread is an ideal loaf to bake at home.

What are the ingredients of Irish soda bread? ›

The essential ingredients in traditional Irish soda bread are flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. The acid in buttermilk reacts with the base of the baking soda to provide the bread's leavening. This leavening from buttermilk and baking soda is what gives the bread its name: "soda bread."

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What is soda farl made of? ›

Place flour and salt in a bowl and sift in baking soda; make a well in the center, and pour in the buttermilk. Work quickly to mix into a wet dough; knead very lightly on a well floured surface. Form into a flattened circle, about 1/2 inch thick and cut into quarters with a floured knife.

How do you know when Irish soda bread is done baking? ›

The most traditional doneness test calls for thumping the hot bread in the center to hear if it's hollow-sounding. A more foolproof indication is temperature; the loaf will register 200°F to 205°F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted in the center of the bread.

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How unhealthy is Irish soda bread? ›

Nutrition Notes

Whole-wheat soda bread is a healthy addition to your plate! One serving—a 1/2-inch-thick slice—provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

Do Irish people really eat soda bread? ›

Almost every family in Ireland has its own recipe for this delicious bread, hand-written on a slip of floury paper, or tucked away in an old cookbook. While its ingredients may be simple, soda bread is an Irish tradition that has led the country through some of its darkest times.

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Why is Irish soda bread so dry? ›

It's important to remember no to overmix your ingredients. Irish Soda Bread is a dense bread, similar to a scone, but can easily become dry if overmixed. Quickly add the wet ingredients to a well you've made in the dry ingredients, and mix with your hands or a dough hook until it just comes together.

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Is there a difference between soda bread and Irish soda bread? ›

In Ireland, soda bread is often made from stone-ground whole-wheat flour, though white flour versions are available. Stateside, we generally enjoy white soda bread made with all-purpose white flour. In both countries, soda bread is generally shaped into a round.

What does farl mean? ›

noun. ˈfär(-ə)l. Scotland. : a small thin triangular cake or biscuit made especially with oatmeal or wheat flour.

Tell Me More ›

What country eats soda bread? ›

Each country has its “national” bread with recipes dating back to their forefathers. Ireland, for one, has embraced it's kind of bread – the soda bread. It is a basic staple among the Irish that they call it Irish Soda Bread.

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Should you refrigerate Irish soda bread? ›

Tightly wrap your leftover bread and place it in an airtight container. There's no need to refrigerate. As for how long soda bread lasts: Irish soda bread tends to dry out faster than other breads. The bread will be good for 3-4 days or up to three months if frozen.

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Why is my Irish soda bread chewy? ›

Low-protein all-purpose flour allows for plenty of buttermilk without excessive gluten formation, so the bread is chewy but tender—never tough.

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Why is my Irish soda bread doughy in the middle? ›

If your soda bread is coming out crusty on the outside but raw in the middle it's most likely because you are not cutting deep enough into the bread. Solution: Shape into a circle and make sure to flatten out the circle some before cutting a cross between 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down in the dough.

Are soda crackers healthier than bread? ›

Crackers are higher in calories and sodium than bread, and usually contain higher amounts of fat. In addition, crackers contain little to no fiber. However, in small quantities paired with foods that have fiber and protein, such as cheese and grapes, crackers can be a great addition to a healthy diet.

How many calories are in a soda farl? ›

Table of Nutritional Information

	Per 100g	Each 1/2 Farl 75g
Energy	1011kJ/ 239kcal	758kJ/ 180kcal
Fat	4.2g	3.2g
of which saturates	0.5g	0.4g
Carbohydrate	41.7g	31.3g

6 more rows

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Is soda bread full of sugar? ›

My grandmother's Irish soda bread contains some sugar, but it's not overly sweet. It's a wonderful companion for savory dinners like hearty stew or you can serve it with butter, honey butter, jam, and/or cheese.