Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread is a slightly sweet quick bread with a tender center and crumbly crust. Golden raisins and dried cranberries add sweetness, while buttermilk gives the bread its classic texture.
This easy soda bread requires no yeast or rising time and cooks right in the air fryer. I like it warm with butter, jam, or honey.
Why I Love Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
About the Ingredients ⭐
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the bread its structure.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness.
- Baking Soda: Helps the bread rise without yeast.
- Butter: Adds richness and creates that tender, crumbly texture.
- Golden Raisins & Dried Cranberries: Add little bites of sweetness throughout the bread.
- Egg: Helps bind the dough.
- Buttermilk: Adds moisture and reacts with the baking soda to help the bread rise.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
Make the Dough: Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda. Work in the butter until coarse, then stir in the raisins and cranberries. Add the beaten egg and buttermilk and mix until a stiff, slightly sticky dough forms.
Shape the Loaves: Transfer the dough to a floured surface, divide it in half, and shape into two round loaves. Place each loaf in a lightly greased 7-inch pan and score an “X” across the top.
Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F. Cook the loaves one at a time for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the pan and cool on a rack for about 5 minutes before slicing.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Don’t overmix the dough. Mix just until everything comes together. The dough should be stiff and slightly sticky.
- Flour your work surface. This makes the sticky dough easier to shape into loaves.
- Score the top. Cut an “X” into each loaf before cooking to help it bake evenly.
- Cook one loaf at a time. This allows the hot air to circulate properly around the pan.
- Check early. Air fryers can cook differently, so start checking around 20 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
Questions Readers Ask Most
Why is there an X cut into the top of Irish soda bread?
Scoring the top helps the thick loaf cook more evenly and gives it room to expand as it bakes.
Can I make this without raisins or cranberries?
Yes. You can leave them out if you prefer a plain soda bread.
How do I know when Irish soda bread is done?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. It should come out clean. If needed, air fry for a few more minutes and check again.
Can I make Irish soda bread ahead of time?
Yes. Let the bread cool completely before storing it. You can warm individual slices before serving.
How should I store leftover Irish soda bread?
Keep it tightly wrapped or in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it.
More Bread Recipes I Love
Irish Soda Bread made in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread is a slightly sweet quick bread with golden raisins, dried cranberries, and a tender, crumbly texture.
Ingredients
- 4 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 6 Tablespoons Butter, Slightly Softened
- ½ Cup Golden Raisins
- ½ Cup Dried Cranberries
- 1 Large Egg, Beaten
- 1 ¾ Cups Buttermilk
- Cooking Spray
- 1 tbsp baking soda
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk 4 ½ cups of flour together with the sugar, salt, and baking soda.
- Using a pastry blender or your hands, work the butter into the flour until coarse. Stir in the raisins and cranberries.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add in the beaten egg and buttermilk and mix with a wooden spoon. The dough should become stiff but still slightly sticky.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and split it in half; shape into two round loaves.
- Transfer the dough into lightly greased 7in cake pans or springform pans. Using a sharp knife, score each dough with an “X” on top. This helps with even cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 320℉. Cook each dough one at a time for 20-25 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, then it is done.
- Remove from cake pans and let rest on a cooling rack for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve the bread warm or at room temperature. Optional spreads: Butter, Honey, Jams, or Jellies.
Notes
Air fryers can vary, so begin checking the bread around 20 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 SliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 284Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 600mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 6g
