A twist on traditional Irish soda bread, this no rise crusty cheddar and bacon bread is packed with melted cheese, savory meat and scallions.
There is one traditional St. Patrick’s Day recipe that my family always looks forward to each year, Irish soda bread! I make mine with a savory flavor explosion. Generous bits of chopped bacon, melted sharp cheddar cheese, and scallions in each crusty slice.
It is the perfect edible dipping “spoon” to enjoy with classic St. Patrick’s Day dishes, such as corned beef and cabbage or delicious stews. The best part is that each loaf is ready in under an hour. No need to wait for the dough to rise, it’s instant bread satisfaction. I guarantee that you won’t be able to resist eating the entire loaf hot and straight from the oven!
I have to tell you a secret. Every time I make this Irish soda bread I feel guilty. That’s because it is seriously so easy to make, but it looks like you took all day to create. It only takes 15 minutes to prepare, and the loaf comes together in one bowl.
The Irish soda bread is scored with a cross shape on top to help the heat in the oven penetrate the thickest part. These cuts help for quicker and more even baking, as well allows for the expansion of the dough as it rises for a nice thick round loaf.
I usually get the corned beef and cabbage going earlier in the day, and then make Irish cheddar soda bread about an hour or so before dinner is ready.
How this Irish soda bread recipe made so quickly
The leavening agent is baking soda instead of using yeast to make the bread rise. That means the prep time is quick and easy. Essentially known as a “quick bread,” you can add your favorite ingredients to make this soda bread delicious.
I have done traditional loaves and sweet soda bread in the past. However, this Irish cheddar and bacon soda bread recipe is my favorite rendition so far! I even received a stamp of approval from my half Irish husband, Jason. It probably doesn’t hurt that I incorporated his favorite ingredient, bacon!
I use sharp cheddar cheese, nitrite-free bacon, green onions and a hint of freshly cracked pepper to intensify the savory notes. The brown crust had a crunchy texture with a lovely gorgeous rise in the oven that resulted in a tender, chewy center!
The smell of smoky bacon and aromatic green onions are so enticing when you slice into a loaf that is still steamy and fresh out of the oven. Irish soda bread is best enjoyed when served warm, and the cheese is like lava.
Your guests will be sure to devour this soda bread, so you may want to double the recipe and make two loaves! I think this year I will be serving this with my Guinness corned beef stew recipe, yum! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
More Irish recipes
What is traditional Irish soda bread?
There are many variations of Irish soda bread. They all typically contain flour, baking soda and dairy (milk, buttermilk, yogurt, even sour cream). The magic in Irish soda bread is baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), the leavening agent that allows the dough to rise without hours of proofing. The baking soda reacts with the acid in the mixture (buttermilk), resulting in carbon dioxide (gas) releasing in the dough. This does not happen until heat rises to at least 176°F (80°C) in the oven. The carbon dioxide causes the dough to expand and rise, then proteins harden and set, giving the characteristic appearance and texture of bread.
Cheddar and Bacon Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 ounces sharp cheddar, cut into ¼-inch cubes
- 2 slices bacon
- 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced
- ¾ cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, sprinkle a small amount of flour onto the sheet where you will be placing the bread.
- Cook the bacon over medium heat in a sauté pan until crispy on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Cool, chop and reserve the bacon.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, black pepper, and sugar, whisk together until combined.
- Add to the dry mixture the cheddar, bacon and green onions, mix.
- Add the buttermilk to the flour mixture, mixing until combined.
- Knead for 1-2 minutes, until the dough is hydrated and holds together.
- Form dough into a round loaf and transfer to the floured parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Cut a cross into the top of the dough, about ½ inch deep and 2-inches long.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the soda bread is lightly browned and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom of the loaf. If you have an instant-read thermometer, test the center of the bread for doneness, it's ready between 190-200°F.
Recipe Video
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Tag @jessica_gavin on Instagram. I'd love to see how it turns out!
Debbie says
What is the shelf life? If I have to make ahead, and can hide from my husband after removing from the oven!
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Debbie- It tastes the best the same day. However, you can slice it up and freeze, then toast in the oven to reheat. You can also reheat the loaf in the oven the next day.
Lauren says
This was sooooo good! I left out the scallions and doubled the bacon and cheese. Perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside. Delicious!
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you for your feedback Lauren! I’m happy to hear that doubling the bacon and cheese works well in the recipe.
jon says
I found this to be very stingy on buttermilk. Came out flat and not as sour in taste as I would like.
Jessica Gavin says
I appreciate your feedback, Jon! Did you feel like there was enough buttermilk to make the dough, just not sour enough in flavor? Also, how old is your baking soda? It’s a more dense bread, however, I’ve never had issues with it being flat.
C. Oneil says
Made this tonight in my brand new Samsung oven. Oh my was this good! Had a beef stew simmering in the crockpot and they paired perfectly. Used chopped pepperoni slices and shredded the cheese. Loved the pepper. Mine did come out a tiny bit under baked, but I’m still getting used to my new oven. Thank you for including internal temp recommendations too. Hubby said, “I don’t like Irish soda bread.” Well, he gobbled this one! A keeper. Thanks again.
Jessica Gavin says
So glad that you got to break in the oven with the Irish soda bread! This recipe is a little more moist and dense, so you can bake longer at a reduced temperature if needed to cook inside longer. Sounds perfect with beef stew!
Trudy Mar says
how much is considered a serving on your nutrition info?
Jessica Gavin says
A quarter of a loaf is the serving size (about 2 slices).
Dee says
Have you tried a keto version of this recipe?
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Dee- No, I haven’t tried a keto version. But that sounds like a fun challenge!
Chris says
Deeelish! Are used about 3 ounces of cheese, half extra sharp cheddar and half ghost pepper cheddar. It made a great breakfast with a couple of fried eggs, and I plan to use it for a roast beef sandwich at lunch. I will definitely make this again and I’m going to try your steamed pork buns soon. I lived in the San Francisco Bay area area for many years and haven’t had a good one since I left.
Jessica Gavin says
I love the addition of the spicy peppers to the bread! Let me know what you think about the steamed buns!
Mitzi Zornow says
Can I use shredded cheese ?
Jessica Gavin says
Yes, you can use shredded cheese.
Ace says
Hello. Can I assemble this, put in fridge wrapped with plastic wrap, then bake the next day? Thank you.
Jessica Gavin says
No, I would bake the bread soon after mixing soda that the baking soda does not lose its leavening power.