Irish Soda Farls Recipe (2024)

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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

Erected in the early thirteenth century on the site of a Viking settlement, Dublin Castle served for centuries as the headquarters of English, and later British, administration in Ireland. In 1922, following Ireland’s independence, Dublin Castle was handed over to the new Irish government.

It is now a major government complex and a key tourist attraction. . .

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Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, founded in 1191, is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. With its 43-metre spire, St. Patrick’s is the tallest church in Ireland and the largest. The Cathedral is a place where history is alive and tradition breathes, where lives are remembered and transformed, and where all are welcome to experience and explore the loving presence of God.

“A house of prayer for all nations”. . .

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The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, on Kildare Street in Dublin, first opened its doors in 1890 and since then it has been filling in the blanks for us through its extensive archaeological collections. The Treasury which features outstanding examples of Celtic and Medieval art, such as the famous Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and the Derrynaflan Hoard.

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Gaze in wonder at the finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts in Europe, which is to be found in Or, Ireland’s Gold. Ramble through prehistoric Ireland and experience life at the same time of the Vikings in Viking Age Ireland. Medieval Ireland 1150-1550, documents life in Ireland in the age of cathedrals, monasteries and castles. . .

WOW, right?!?! I’m in head-over-heels in love with Ireland already 🙂

Yield: 4

Irish Soda Farls Recipe (8)

Irish Soda Farls Recipe is a quick and simple soda bread that cooks in a skillet or griddle!

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time20 minutes

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat heavy based flat griddle or skillet on medium to low heat.
  2. Place flour and salt in a bowl and sift in baking soda. Make a well in the center, and pour in the buttermilk.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Enjoy your Irish Soda Farls Recipe!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

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 co*cktail

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…

We love creating recipes and sharing our adventures with you, so if you can do us a huge favor it’d really support us! It’s easier to stay motivated to share our best with you when we hear from you! We adore our readers and it really makes our day to get comments, social tags/shares, or pins that you save for later to share with your family and friends.

Our hearts sing when you do.

We SEE you and we do our very best to respond to all the love! It also amps up our mo-jo so we get lots of awesome things done around here. Please reach out if you have questions or comments via our email: ruthie@cookingwithruthie.com. We’re excited to see you again soon!

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Thanks for sharing in the CWR blog-love!

Love Always,

Ruthie & Madeliene

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

Irish Soda Farls Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between soda bread and farls? ›

The "griddle cakes", "griddle bread" (or soda farls in Ulster) take a more rounded shape and have a cross cut in the top to allow the bread to expand. The griddle cake or farl is a more flattened type of bread. It is cooked on a griddle, allowing it to take a more flat shape, and it is split into four sections.

What is traditional Irish soda bread made of? ›

Containing just four ingredients — all-purpose wheat flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk — this Irish soda bread recipe is very much in line with what's eaten in Ireland. In addition to this version made with white flour, the Irish do make a whole wheat (aka wholemeal) variety as well.

Are soda farls healthy? ›

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.

Why do people eat Irish Soda Bread? ›

They pay tribute to how far the Irish have come since the famine years (known as An Gorta Mor), when soda bread was often the only thing on the table to eat. The society is also quite firm on the traditional ingredients of soda bread: Flour, Salt, Baking Soda, Buttermilk. Anything else added makes it a “Tea Cake!”

Why is Irish Soda Bread so dry? ›

You might have added too much baking soda or baking powder or used self-rising flour. If your bread's texture is dry: You might have added too much baking soda, too little liquid or not baked it at high enough temperature.

Is soda bread Irish or Scottish? ›

Its origins date back to Native Americans before European colonization. Native Americans made “soda bread” using ash (a forerunner to baking soda) instead of traditional leavening agents like yeast. Soda bread was adopted in Ireland in the 1800s due to increased poverty and hunger after the potato famine.

What should Irish soda bread taste like? ›

The buttermilk activates the baking soda, making the bread rise. You can substitute the buttermilk with a low fat plain Kefir. What does Irish Soda Bread taste like? It tastes similar to scones or biscuits but is very lightly sweet.

Is Irish soda bread the same as sourdough bread? ›

The main difference between sourdough bread and soda bread is in its leavening agent – sourdough bread rises due to the gasses released from yeast and bacteria fermentation, while soda bread rises from the gasses produced during the chemical interaction between baking soda and acids in the dough.

Why is my Irish soda bread gummy? ›

And finally, don't immediately cut into the Fast Irish Soda bread when you pull it out of the oven. Although this bread is best served warm, cutting into it too quickly will turn the bread gummy.

Why is my Irish soda bread so crumbly? ›

If your Irish soda bread is too crumbly, it may be because you overmixed the dough. Another possibility is that your baking soda was expired and should be replaced. Make sure you are using the correct amount of baking soda in the recipe. Too much or too little can result in a crumbly loaf.

What is the myth behind Irish soda bread? ›

Contrary to a common misconceptions, the Irish did not import the Soda Bread recipe from the American Indians. This misconception is my fault because 30+ years ago on the original site I happened to mention Native Americans using Potash to make bread.

What do the Irish eat with soda bread? ›

How to Eat Irish Soda Bread. This versatile bread works for any meal, but Irish soda bread is a natural for breakfast, whether simply spread with (Irish) butter and jam or alongside that hearty fry-up known as a full Irish breakfast. It's also wonderful with a cup of tea in the afternoon or as a late-night snack.

Can you freeze soda farls? ›

Freezing Instructions: Baked and cooled bread freezes well up to 3 months. Freeze the whole loaf or individual slices. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then reheat as desired.

What is the best bread to eat for weight loss? ›

Whole grain bread is the healthiest pick for weight. It provides you with the nutrition of several whole grains like oats, barley, corn and others. Whole grain means whole kernel -the bran, germ and endosperm, which makes them highly nutritious.

What are soda biscuits made of? ›

Like mini Irish soda breads, these biscuits are made with flour, baking soda, sugar, butter, and buttermilk. Add-ins like raisins and caraway seeds optional. Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019.

What are potato farls made of? ›

Potato Farls is just mashed potatoes kneaded with some flour, butter, salt, and pepper, then fried up into tasty little pieces, making them the perfect recipe for the day after Thanksgiving!

What is different about soda bread? ›

Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that does not require any yeast. Instead, all of its leavening comes from baking soda and buttermilk. This Irish soda bread recipe is my grandmother's and has been cherished in my family for years. It's dense, yet soft and has the most incredible crusty exterior.

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