Name: Irish Soda Bread Knots Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 cup wheat flour (sub for all purpose flour if unavailable); 2 cup all purpose flour; 3/4 cup sugar; 1 tbsp baking powder; 1 tbsp baking soda; 1 tsp salt; 6 tbsp unsalted butter (cold & cut into cubes); 1 1/2 cup raisins; 2 tbsp caraway seeds; 1 egg (beaten); 1 1/2 cup butter milk

Bring the taste of Ireland to your kitchen with some classic Irish soda bread knots for a grab and go breakfast option!

photo of the Irish Soda Bread Knots served with coffee and butter for breakfast

Irish soda bread is a beloved staple in Ireland, known for its dense yet tender texture and slightly tangy flavor. While a traditional Irish soda bread loaf is a common sight at Irish tables, we put a fun twist on this classic recipe.

These Irish soda bread knots are delightful little bundles of goodness that feature all the familiar flavors of soda bread but in an adorable, bite-sized form.

Our version is a bit of a cross between a dense bread and a scone, which melts perfectly in your mouth with coffee. And it’s not terribly sweet, which makes it an ideal easy breakfast for a weekday morning!

Table of Contents

What is Irish Soda Bread?

Irish soda bread is a traditional quick bread that originated in Ireland. It is known for its simple ingredients and ease of preparation.

The key distinguishing feature of Irish soda bread is the use of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) as a leavening agent, which reacts with the acid in buttermilk to produce carbon dioxide, causing the dough to rise.

This is great if you are looking for St. Patrick’s Day recipes. However, this doesn’t just have to be served in March. As with all bread recipes, they make for the perfect breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner side.

Irish soda bread can be made many ways. The traditional method is to bake the bread on a baking sheet in the oven. However, it can also be baked in a Dutch oven or cooked on the stovetop in a cast iron pan or iron skillet.

We opted for the non-traditional method of using muffin tins for a grab and go breakfast or brunch appetizer.

Irish Soda Bread Ingredients

Wheat flour
All purpose flour — If you don’t have wheat flour, you can also just use additional wheat flour.
Sugar
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Butter — Cut into cubes
Raisins
Caraway seeds
Egg — Beaten
Butter milk — If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.

How to Make Soda Bread Knots

1 — Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a muffin tin with cooking oil spray.

2 — In a food processor, add the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Quickly pulse to combine but not fully mixed.

3 — Add in the cubed butter to the dry ingredients, and pulse until it’s just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Lumps are okay as the batter should have a coarse texture.

4 — Transfer the batter into a large bowl, and mix in the raisins and the caraway seeds.

5 — Make a well or hollow in the middle of the batter. Then, pour in the buttermilk and beaten egg. A well helps to thoroughly mix your dough.

6 — Gently knead the dough until all the ingredients are combined. Work from the inside to the outside of the well. However, do not over knead or the bread will turn out too dry.

7 — Fill the muffin tins about two-thirds full each with the dough.

8 — Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the tops are lightly brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

More Bread Recipes to Try

photo of the Irish Soda Bread Knots recipe piping hot out of the oven

Recipe Notes and Tips

Once cooled, serve the muffins with a pat of butter, jam or your favorite spread. They are delicious when enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them and thaw as needed.
Other add-in optionals include orange zest, currants or chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture. About 1/2 to 1 cup of add-ins is a good starting point.
For added shine and sweetness, consider brushing the knots with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a little water or milk after baking.