This Keto Irish Soda Bread is truly the 'real deal', and incredibly easy to make. With a real soda bread crumb inside and a crusty exterior, you won't believe it's only 2 net carbs per wedge (at 12 wedges per loaf)!
The recipe for this soda bread recipe uses a special reduced carbohydrate wheat flour blend that gives you the same final results as my regular soda bread recipe.
What Makes This Recipe Special
No kneading or rising required, just a few minutes of mixing and you'll be on your way to enjoying this delicious rustic low carb loaf with it's subtly tangy, flavor.
I love this flour blend of a resistant wheat starch, vital wheat gluten, and some super fine almond flour. It's not as fluffy in the bowl as regular white flour, but makes a splendid soda bread that tastes and feels like the real deal.
- Easy To Make - Soda bread falls in the 'quick bread' category. You don't use yeast, so there's not waiting for proofing and rising.
- Authentic Flavor and Crumb - The flavor and crumb to this soda bread is authentic, with that tang from the buttermilk and the large crumb you expect.
- Perfect For St. Patrick's Day - Now you can enjoy a real soda bread that's low glycemic, low carb, and even qualifies as keto. So, whatever you dietary restrictions, here's a treat you can enjoy to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with.
Jump to:
- What Makes This Recipe Special
- Keto Irish Soda Bread Ingredients
- How To Make This Low Carb Soda Bread
- Substitutions and Variations
- Tips for Success
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes & Articles
- Equipment & Supplies
- Storage and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Diabetes Friendly Recipes
- Diabetes Resources
- Keto Irish Soda Bread (2 Net Carbs)
- Want To Save This Recipe?
Keto Irish Soda Bread Ingredients
Today, there are a wide variety of lower carb flours on the market as opposed to 10-15 years ago when I was baking low carb and keto.
The option I used for this soda bread recipe is a keto flour blend by IMPACT. It combines resistant wheat starch (drastically reduced GI), vital wheat gluten (no glycemic load at all), soy fiber (GI:0), and ultra fine almond flour (also low carb).
The carbohydrates in a ¼ cup portion of this flour come to 17 grams. The fiber however is a whopping 15 grams, for 2 net carbs! Amazing.
I'm not going to lie though, low carb flour is more expensive than using almond or coconut flour. They all cost around $5.00 per pound, but for some baking needs, you need as close to the 'real thing' as possible.
My regular almond and coconut flour blend was not cutting it for a soda bread I was happy with. So, the extra cost of a specialty flour was worth it when the texture and flavor just had to shine. I hope you like it too!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make This Low Carb Soda Bread
You will measure 1:1 for the keto flour, and cut in the butter just like you would making a typical soda bread or biscuit recipe.
If you don't have a pastry cutter, you can freeze the butter and grate it into the flour instead. Either way, use your fingers to mash the butter into the flour.
While the keto flour already is a little less fluffy than regular flour, you'll still air for that slightly 'sandy' texture before adding the wet ingredients.
Cut The Butter Into The Dry Ingredients
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Ready a 9" cast iron skillet or an oven proof Dutch oven. You'll need two sheets of parchment paper as well.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the low carb flour, Swerve, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut the butter into the low carb flour until completely mixed into a somewhat coarse textured, sandy mixture.
Add The Buttermilk And Egg
- Add the buttermilk and the egg to the flour. Mix the egg and butter milk together, adding the low carb flour to the mixture as you stir. Continue mixing until the flour is completely blended in.
PRO TIP: Depending on the brand of low carb or keto flour you use, you may need up to ¼ cup additional milk. The dough should be stiff, but soft and slightly loose. Not stiff and hard.
Form A Dough Ball
- Turn out the dough on a lightly flour dusted work surface and knead lightly, folding the dough over about four time, and shape into a round loaf.
Score The Top And Bake
- Lay the two pieces of parchment paper over each other in opposite directions and place the ball of dough in the middle.
- Using a long sharp knife, score a 1" deep X across the top of the dough. Carefully lift the dough ball by the parchment paper and set into the Dutch oven, or in the cast iron skillet.
- Brush the mixture the top of the scored soda bread with the heavy cream, being generous. You'll use about half.
- Bake the bread for about 50 minutes, basting with the remaining buttermilk mixture halfway through the baking process.
- Allow the soda bread to cool before slicing or cutting into wedges or slicing.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this quick and easy no knead, low carb bread.
- Buttermilk: If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Flour: The King Arthur Keto Wheat Flour is great in this recipe also, but it is 4 net carbs. If your eating plan lets you use Carbalose, it's a low carb option at 8 net carbs. I have their links below.
- Mix Ins: While raisins are not diabetic-friendly, grated cheeses are! Mix in ½ cup of sharp Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or even grated Parmesan!
- Herbs: Rosemary, Italian spice blend, or chopped Kalamata olives add extra flair also
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this keto bread recipe:
- Use room temperature ingredients for optimal results.
- Don't overmix the dough, as this can make the bread tough.
- Be gentle when shaping the loaf, as over handling can also make the bread dense.
- If the top of the bread starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this keto Irish Soda Bread on its own, buttered while warm, or slathered with cream cheese and smear of sugar-free jam.
Instead of cutting into wedges, cut into thin slices and use it to make delicious sandwiches with ham, cheese, and a grainy mustard.
Serve it alongside a bowl of our low carb Irish Lamb Stew or Corned Beef and Cabbage for a delicious low carb St. Patrick's Day meal that won't send your blood sugar up the roof!
Related Recipes & Articles
Equipment & Supplies
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this keto Irish soda bread.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- IMPACT Keto Wheat Flour - 2 Net Carbs
- Keto Krust Gluten Free Low Carb Flour - 4 Net Carbs
- King Arthur Keto Wheat Flour 1:1 - 4 Net Carbs
- Carbalose - Low Carb All Purpose Baking Flour - 8 Net Carbs
- Enameled Dutch Oven w Lid, 6 qt
- Parchment Paper 12x16"
Storage and Reheating
- Irish soda bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Freeze soda bread already sliced, with wax paper dividers between the slices. This will let you get a slice or two as needed easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not at all, it just contributes to browning, and a crustier crust.
Yes! If you don't want such a large loaf, do like I do and cut the recipe in half. Bake for about 8-10 minutes less. Or, make the full recipe and form two round loaves.
The bread is done when it's golden brown on top, and has a hallow thunk when you tap it.
More Diabetes Friendly Recipes
Diabetes Resources
- American Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/
- International Diabetes Federation: https://idf.org/
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: [https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/a1c.html]
Keto Irish Soda Bread (2 Net Carbs)
Equipment
- IMPACT Keto Wheat Flour 2 Net Carbs
- Parchment Paper 12x16"
Ingredients
- 4 cup Impact KETO Wheat Flour or other low carb or keto flour
- 2 tablespoon Swerve or any you prefer
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 tablespoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Butter softened to room temperature
- 1¼ cup buttermilk up to ¼ more if needed.
- 1 large Egg
- ¼ Heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Ready a 9" cast iron skillet or an oven proof Dutch oven. You'll need two sheets of parchment paper as well.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the low carb flour, Swerve, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.4 cup Impact KETO Wheat Flour, 2 tablespoon Swerve, 1 teaspoon Baking soda, 1 tablespoon Baking powder, ½ teaspoon Salt
- Cut the butter into the low carb flour until completely mixed into a somewhat coarse textured, sandy mixture.½ cup Butter
- Add the buttermilk and the egg to the flour. Mix the egg and butter milk together, adding the low carb flour to the mixture as you stir. Continue mixing until the flour is completely blended in. Depending on the brand of keto or low carb flour, you nay need up to ¼ cup more buttermilk.1¼ cup buttermilk, 1 large Egg
- Turn out the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead lightly, folding the dough over about four time, and shape into a round loaf.
- Lay the two pieces of parchment paper over each other in opposite directions and place the ball of dough in the middle.
- Using a long sharp knife, score a 1" deep X across the top of the dough. Carefully lift the dough ball by the parchment paper and set into the Dutch oven, or in the cast iron skillet.
- Brush the mixture the top of the scored soda bread with the heavy cream, being generous. You'll use about half.¼ Heavy cream
- Bake the bread for about 50 minutes, basting with the remaining cream halfway through the baking process.
- Allow the soda bread to cool before slicing or cutting into wedges and serving.
Notes
- You can also use King Arthur Low Carb Wheat Flour (4 net carbs/per serving), Carbalose All Purpose Baking Flour (8 net carb per serving), Keto Krust Gluten-Free Low Carb Flour (4 net carb/serving). The lowest net carb flour is the IMPACT Keto flour.
- Use room temperature ingredients for optimal results.
- Don't overmix the dough, as this can make the bread tough.
- You can omit the Swerve completely if you prefer.
- Be gentle when shaping the loaf, as over handling can also make the bread dense.
- If the top of the bread starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
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