This walnut oatmeal sweet Irish soda bread recipe yields a lightly sweet soda bread, with a rich nutty flavor and a dense yet soft texture that pairs perfectly with a creamy slathering of butter. Try it as a meal side or as breakfast with a hot cup of coffee or tea!
Sweet Irish Soda Bread
We've been eating a lot of homemade bread around here lately, mainly the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes variety because it's SO. DARN. EASY... But I've been craving a good Irish sweet soda bread for a while now.
Specifically, I've been searching for a recipe that duplicates a walnut oatmeal soda bread that I was served at a little restaurant in Washington D.C. Recreating it has proven to be a challenge, because I've been unable to find anything even remotely similar.
Until a few days ago when I stumbled across an oat soda bread recipe in The Boston Globe that sounded like it a promising starting point! I immediately added buttermilk to my grocery list.
A few tweaks later, I think I'm darn close. It's been many years since I've been to D.C., so it may not be a spot on dupe... But in any case, this sweet Irish soda bread does NOT disappoint! It yields a lightly sweet oat bread, with a rich nutty flavor and a dense yet soft texture.
With a creamy, slathering of butter, it's divine paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or a snack. Or serve it as a side to round out your favorite comfort food meal. It's a keeper!
"Made it yesterday and it's a keeper!"
Found your recipe looking for a different Irish Soda Bread. I feel soaking the oatmeal in the buttermilk really gives this bread a rich oatmeal flavor.
-Theresa
Oatmeal Soda Bread Ingredients
While this is not a traditional 4-ingredient Irish soda bread recipe, which consists of only flour, buttermilk, baking soda, and salt, this oatmeal soda bread still comes together fairly quickly.
Using a combination of 3 different kinds of flour, along with a small amount of cream of tartar, results in a softer crumb. The addition of light brown sugar imparts just a hint of sweetness, and buttermilk-soaked rolled oats and walnuts provide flavor and texture.
For extra nutty crunch, I highly recommend toasting the walnuts before you incorporate them into the dough. (See: How To Roast Walnuts for step-by-step instructions.)
My preference is to roast them while the oats are softening up in the buttermilk. This should allow ample time for toasting and cooling, so you can get on with the recipe when the rolled oats are ready.
NOTE: be sure to note that you ONLY soak part of the oatmeal! Soaking it all is a surefire way to derail this recipe from the start. Ask me how I know...
How To Make Irish Soda Bread
Even with the additional ingredients, this is a very easy Irish soda bread recipe! Here's my exact workflow to streamline the process:
- If you're planning to toast the walnuts, start by turning your oven on and heating it to 400℉. Get the butter out of the fridge and set it on the counter to soften.
- While the oven is coming to temperature, stir 2 cups of rolled oats and the buttermilk. As soon as the oven is ready, put the sheet pan of nuts in to allow them time to cool. Leave the oven on when you remove the walnuts - the oat soda bread will bake at the same temp.
- Get a head start on the sweet soda bread dough by prepping the dry ingredients. Whisk together the various flours, remaining oatmeal, brown sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Then work two tablespoons of softened butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- At the end of the soaking period, stir the oatmeal/buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture. Use your hands to work it all together, and then knead the dough on a lightly floured surface just until it comes together. Don't worry if it's still be a bit lumpy and shaggy - this is perfectly normal.
- Form the dough into a 6-inch round disc, and slice an X in the top of it with a serrated knife. Place the disc on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a cast iron pan lined with parchment. Brush with additional buttermilk, and sprinkle oats over top, as desired.
- Bake at 400℉ for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the bread starts to brown too much, tent a piece of foil over the top to prevent further browning.
Serving Irish Sweet Soda Bread
Allow the bread to cool on a wire cooling rack for 15-20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with an imported Irish butter, like Kerrygold.
Or if you're feeling a little ambitious, make a batch of this homemade heavy cream butter. Just kidding - it's actually SO EASY to make and totally divine on a warm slice of this sweet soda bread!
However you top it, you'll definitely want to make this sweet Irish soda bread well beyond St. Patrick's Day!
Printable Recipe ↓
Walnut Oatmeal Sweet Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats - divided
- 1 ¾ cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour - plus more for shaping
- ½ cup cake flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup light brown sugar - packed
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons European butter - at room temperature
- 1 cup toasted walnuts - chopped
- 1 tablespoon European butter - melted for brushing
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, stir together the buttermilk and 2 cups of the rolled oats. Set aside for one hour to soften. Toast the walnuts in the oven while the oats are soaking. (See: How To Roast Walnuts for step-by-step instructions.)
- Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position; heat oven to 400℉.
- Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, whole wheat flour, remaining ½ cup oats, brown sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Use your fingers to work the 2 tablespoons of softened butter into the flour mixture, until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the oatmeal/buttermilk mixture and toasted walnuts to the flour mixture, and stir with a fork until combined. You may need use your hands to work it all together.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface or baking mat just until the mixture comes together but is still slightly bumpy. Kneading it until it's smooth will overwork the dough and make your bread tough.
- Form the dough into a 6-inch disc that is about 2 inches high. Using a serrated knife, cut an X in the top of the disc. If desired, brush with a bit of additional buttermilk and sprinkle a small handful of oats over the top.
- Bake at 400℉ in a cast iron pan or on a parchment-covered baking sheet for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the bread starts to brown too much, a piece of foil tented over the top will prevent further browning.
- Remove the bread from the oven, and while it's still hot, brush the top with the melted butter. Cool for 15-20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with Irish butter or try making your own homemade butter. (See: How To Make Butter From Heavy Cream for step-by-step instructions.)
Recipe Notes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see your question listed here? Leave a comment below and I will respond ASAP!
Irish soda bread can dry out quickly. Wrapped up tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, it will keep at room temperature for around 3-4 days. You can also freeze it to prevent it from getting stale.
This sweet Irish soda bread freezes well! Simply wrap it tightly in aluminum foil, then place is in a gallon freezer storage bag. It will keep for 2-3 months. Thaw and reheat as desired.
Remove the bread from the freezer, and allow it to thaw completely before unwrapping. After the bread has come to room temperature, you can pop it in the oven on a baking sheet for 5-10 minutes at 350 degrees.
More Recipes Using Oats
If you like this oatmeal soda bread recipe, you might also enjoy these other delicious recipes that feature oats:
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your soda bread turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Susan Adams says
Made this last night for St. Patrick's Day breakfast today -- it is SO good! I'm not a baker and was nervous, but it turned out beautifully and was delicious. It's amazing there was any *left* for our breakfast, lol. This is a card-box recipe for sure. Thank you!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Thank you for sharing! So glad to hear my instructions were easy to follow. Leftovers never last long around here either!! I have my oats soaking to make some tonight right now.
ANITA GREISER says
My husband and I love this recipe for Irish Soda Bread. I'm addicted!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yay, so happy you love it!!
Gail says
Looks really good. I don’t have cake flour. Is there a substitute for the cake flour?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Gail! If you have all-purpose flour and cornstarch on hand, you might try this substitute recipe: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/cake-flour-substitute/
Theresa says
Found your recipe looking for a different Irish Soda Bread. Made it yesterday and it's a keeper! I feel soaking the oatmeal in the buttermilk really gives this bread a rich oatmeal flavor. Eating it plain with butter is best. Tried toasting it and I felt like it lost that delicious oatmeal flavor. Thank you.
Samantha says
This bread was amazing! I lovee the texture that the toasted walnuts added. And you're right...Kerrygold butter put it over the top.
Gina Matsoukas says
This twist on Irish soda bread is amazing!
Toni says
It turned out perfect! Thank you so much for the tips and the recipe!
Amy says
This is amazing!!
Rachael Yerkes says
This is so perfect! Can't wait to make it for st patty's day!
Cheryl S says
what an awesome flavor combo!! perfect for St. Pat's Day!
Erin says
I love the walnuts and that this is a sweet version, so yummy!
Debbie says
I would love to make this for dinner, but have no wheat or cake flour.What about using AP flour?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Hi Debbie! I haven't tried making this recipe with all AP flour, so I really can't say. If you try it tonight, I'd love to hear how it turns out!
Joshua Hampton says
This soda bread looks fantastic. I can already taste it with my usual black coffee and butter.
munchy says
that bread looks sooo good i can taste it
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
That looks super delicious! I love walnuts and I think they are a great addition!
jessica says
Thanks for the clarification. I made it to go with our supper this evening and it was fantastic! My husband usually likes bread that it light and fluffy, but he's asked that I make it again. Score! I guess this was in the middle of the night for you since we're in South Korea. :)
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Oops, I guess I left that out! Add them when you add the oatmeal/buttermilk mixture. I'll edit the recipe now — thanks!
jessica says
when do you put in the walnuts?