Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread Easy Recipe (2024)

Enjoy bread on that diet thanks to this Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread easy recipe that tastes really good. Gluten free, keto, and low carb options.

See The Recipe

Anyone watching their points can indulge in this recipe for Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread

I like how easy it is to make this bread recipe!

Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread

The prefect Irish inspired bread for any time including holidays such as St. Patricks Day!

Did I mention how easy this quick bread is to make?

Enjoy this bread with a Sugar Free Shamrock Shake such as this one.

Both recipes are 'Irish Inspired'. Also, both recipes are diet-friendly 🙂 as well.

Everyone seems to ask, why is soda bread called soda bread or Irish soda bread?

I mentioned that this is a 'quick bread'. This means that you do not need to wait for the yeast to take action as a leavening agent to make the bread rise.

Soda bread is a quick bread that does not have yeast in the recipe.
Irish soda bread uses sodium bicarbonate rather than yeast to help it rise.
Because we do not have to wait for the sodium bicarbonate to raise the bread like we would have to for yeast, we get a 'quick bread'.

You may also be wondering if Irish soda bread is really Irish.

Technically, the Irish version of soda bread uses particular wheat in the flour that is soft and with less gluten than regular bread flour. Buttermilk is used as well to aid in the leavening process. However, even in Ireland, there are variations of this too.

This recipe calls for all purpose flour.

To make this low carb, use a low carb all purpose flour. Also, to make this keto use a keto all purpose flour.
Gluten free folks can use a gluten free all purpose flour alternative but, please check the packaging to see if a binder for gluten free baking is needed as well.

Here are some tips Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread

I just mentioned that low carb diet followers can use a low carb all purpose flour and that keto diet followers can use a keto all purpose flour. Also, gluten free folks can use a gluten free all purpose flour alternative but, please check the packaging to see if a binder for gluten free baking is needed as well.

Here are some more helpful recipe tips for you.

Irish Soda bread is known as a rather sweet tasting bread. Feel free to add additional sweetener to sweeten your bread up if desired.
Adding caraway and/or dried fruit is very common when it comes to Irish Soda Bread. Feel free to add it to your bread however, keep in mind that doing so will alter the nutritional value of your bread.
If you do have leftovers of this bread, it will keep. It is suggested that you wrap your bread well in an air tight bread container or plastic wrap. You can store it at room temperature for up to four days. Or, freeze it away for longer.

This recipe will differ from the traditional recipe in order to make it more 'diet friendly'.

It was adapted from a Weight Watchers recipe for Irish Soda Bread that had a PointsPlus Value of 6, 230 calories and 24 net carbs per slice. That recipe also called for 3 tablespoons of sugar.

I will be using sugar alternative in this recipe.

This is a sugar free site and thus, I cut the sugar out of a recipe whenever possible. You are welcome to keep the sugar, however. Since we are using sodium bicarbonate for leavening, sugar alternative should have little effect on the ability to leaven.

This Weight Watchers Friendly Bread Recipe is simply based upon a similar one.

I am suggesting that you should calculate the Weight Watchers Points in this recipe according to the ingredients that you use in it. You can go here to learn more about Weight Watchers Points and how to calculate them.

Keep up to date with my recipes

You can check out my guide on baking with sugar alternatives on Amazon

I have some great tips on which alternatives may work in a recipe such as this one.

Be sure to follow me on facebook and subscribe to my recipes via email to keep up to date as well.

Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread Easy Recipe (2)

The recipe for Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread

As mentioned, low carb diet followers can use a low carb all purpose flour and that keto diet followers can use a keto all purpose flour. Also, gluten free folks can use a gluten free all purpose flour alternative but, please check the packaging to see if a binder for gluten free baking is needed as well.

I also mentioned that since this recipe has been adapted from another recipe.

What you will need to make this soda bread recipe.

All Purpose Flour.- 2 cups.
To make this low carb, use a low carb all purpose flour. Also, to make this keto use a keto all purpose flour.
Gluten free folks can use a gluten free all purpose flour alternative but, please check the packaging to see if a binder for gluten free baking is needed as well.Flour- AP
Sugar Alternative- 2 tablespoons equivalent to sugar. For best results, please use a granulated Sugar Alternative that measures 1:1 with sugar and is suitable for baking with. Alternatively, you could just use Granulated Sugar.
Baking Powder-1 teaspoon (do not omit)
Baking Soda-½ teaspoon (do not omit)
Salt-¼ teaspoon
Butter- 2 tablespoons, cold and cut into small pieces. Alternatively, you could use a neutral oil such as canola or corn oil. Your texture will be a bit different if you are using oil since it is liquid.
Buttermilk low fat- 1 cup low fat (can sub in Low Fat Plain Yogurt- Yay!)
Optional- ¼- ½ cup dried currents and/or 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (see post for details)

How to make Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread

Preheat your oven to 350. Prep a baking sheet for nonstick. WW suggests spraying with nonstick and then lightly dusting with flour. I like to use Parchment Paper .
Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine your flour, sugar alternative, baking powder, baking soda and salt. I like to use a whisk to mix my dry ingredients.
Cut the pieces of butter into the dry mix until batter is somewhat crumbly in texture. If you are using oil, simply stir it in.
If adding the optional ingredients, do so now by gently stirring them in.
Now add the buttermilk (or yogurt), stirring gently again until the mix is somewhat moistened, avoiding over-mixing is essential.
Knead the dough into a ball while still in the bowl. It should take about five or six kneads until a 6-inch ball forms. Then cut an "X" on the top of the bread about ½" deep.
Bake until golden- about 45-50 minutes (use the toothpick test to confirm if needed). This recipe should make "12 wedges".

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Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread

Enjoy bread on that diet thanks to this Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread easy recipe that tastes really good. Gluten free, keto, and low carb options.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time50 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course: bread

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups Flour - see post for details
2 tbsp Splenda - see post for alternatives
1 tsp Baking Powder -do not omit
½ tsp Baking Soda -do not omit
½ tsp Salt
2 tbsp Butter -cold and cut into small pieces, see post for alternatives
1 cup Low Fat Buttermilk - low fat, can sub in Low Fat Plain Yogurt

TIP: Adding caraway and/or dried fruit is very common when it comes to Irish Soda Bread. Feel free to add it to your bread however, keep in mind that doing so will alter the nutritional value of your bread.

Instructions

Preheat you oven to 350. Prep a baking sheet for nonstick. WW suggests spraying with a non stick spray and then lightly dusting with flour. I like to use parchment paper.
Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine your flour, sugar alternative, baking powder, baking soda and salt. I like to use a whisk to mix my dry ingredients.
Cut the pieces of butter into the dry mix until batter is somewhat crumbly in texture. If you are using oil, simply stir it in. If adding the optional ingredients, do so now by gently stirring them in. If adding the optional ingredients, do so now by gently stirring them in.
Now add the buttermilk (or yogurt), stirring gently again until the mix is somewhat moistened, avoiding over-mixing is essential. Knead the dough into a ball while still in the bowl. It should take about five or six kneads until a 6-inch ball forms. Then cut an “X” on the top of the bread about ½″ deep.
Bake until golden- about 45-50 minutes (use the toothpick test to confirm if needed). This recipe should make “12 wedges”.

Recipe Notes

I also mentioned that since this recipe has been adapted from another recipe.

*Please check the nutritional labels to assure that you are sticking to your diet restrictions for any substitutions used.

- see post for alternatives
Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.
Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.

most recently updated:

March 9, 2020

*About Sugar Alternatives

Specific sugar alternatives are not given in the recipes presented on this site. Only suggestions are given as to the 'kind' of alternative to use. It is up to you to select the alternative to use that suits your needs best. If the recipe is heated or cooked, it is best to use an alternative that can be heated or cooked with for best results. This site does not endorse any specific ingredients,

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.

Nutrition

Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!

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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.

Enjoy bread on that diet thanks to this Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread easy recipe that tastes really good. Gluten free, keto, and low carb options.

Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.

You can see items that have been featured on my Sugar Free Sunday Spotlight here.

updated 3/2020
....

Weight Watchers Okay Irish Soda Bread Easy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is there a difference between soda bread and Irish soda bread? ›

Sweeter Soda Bread

On this side of the Atlantic, what we call "Irish soda bread" is more rich and sweet, usually studded with raisins and caraway seeds.

Read On ›

Is soda bread good for dieting? ›

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.

Find Out More ›

Is Irish soda bread better for you? ›

A traditional staple in Ireland and made simply from flour, buttermilk, baking powder and salt. Soda bread is quick to prepare and is a low-fat, yeast-free option. It may help alleviate symptoms of bloating and discomfort.

Read On ›

Why does my Irish soda bread not rise? ›

Not preheating your oven long enough will mean thst it isn't hot enough to get a good rise. Make sure the oven is up to temperature before you begin mixing the dough. Using a baking stone for good bottom heat will help your bread rise, but it needs at least 45 minutes to soak up the heat of the oven.

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What's so good about Irish soda bread? ›

The best Irish soda bread, like this recipe, has a golden brown crust with a dense, tight crumb. The bread isn't heavy, it's actually quite tender and soft inside. The crust is nice and crisp when it comes out of the oven and becomes a little chewy on day 2 and 3. It's so good.

Why is Irish soda bread so good? ›

This gave the bread its famous hard crust, dense texture, and slightly sour tang. The unique texture of soda bread is a result of the reaction between the acidic sour milk and baking soda, which formed small bubbles of carbon dioxide in the dough. The shape of soda bread is also steeped in tradition.

How fattening is Irish soda bread? ›

Irish soda bread (1 slice - 3 3/4" x 3" x 1/2") contains 31.4g total carbs, 30g net carbs, 3.1g fat, 3.7g protein, and 165 calories.

Show Me More ›

What is the healthiest bread for weight loss? ›

Yes, whole grain bread is very good for weight loss. Eating whole grains have been shown to help eliminate more belly fat when compared to eating refined grains. Whole grain bread contains fiber, which may also help keep you full for longer, making it easier to eat less overall and help lose weight.

Get More Info Here ›

What to pair with Irish soda bread? ›

Serving suggestions

Butter: This soda bread is best served warm with some salted butter. Serve it with Irish butter for a true Irish indulgence. Fruit: Eat it plain with a cup of your favorite sliced fruit. Cheese: Make a cheese board, and serve the bread alongside a variety of soft and hard cheeses.

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Is Irish soda bread unhealthy? ›

Yes! Between its straightforward recipe, short preparation and cooking time, and delicious taste, this is at the top of my list of bread to make! From traditional to added dried fruits, nuts and seeds, cheeses, and herbs, you can make your healthy Irish Soda Bread filled with heart healthy nutrients!

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Which is healthier soda bread or sourdough bread? ›

Both types of bread use flour and contain refined carbohydrates. Sourdough bread would be considered healthier in the fact that it is a fermented food with lower gluten levels, making it easier to digest.

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Should you refrigerate Irish soda bread? ›

Tightly wrap your leftover bread and place it in an airtight container. There's no need to refrigerate. As for how long soda bread lasts: Irish soda bread tends to dry out faster than other breads. The bread will be good for 3-4 days or up to three months if frozen.

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

Irish brown bread has a deep, nutty flavor because of its wheat flour and wheat bran while soda bread uses only white flour. Soda bread is slightly sweet and more scone-like while Irish brown bread is more savory with a tender interior.

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Why is my Irish soda bread raw in the middle? ›

Your oven is too hot if it is uncooked in the center. Try lowering the temp on your oven by 25F and extending the bake time. Don't put anything on the top of the bread to aid in browning until the last few min. of cooking, and use an instant read thermometer (target temp to pull is 190F).

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Why is Irish soda bread called soda bread? ›

Soda bread is a variety of quick bread made in many cuisines in which sodium bicarbonate (otherwise known as "baking soda", or in Ireland, "bread soda") is used as a leavening agent instead of yeast. The basic ingredients of soda bread are flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk.

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What is another name for soda bread? ›

Another name for Brown Soda Bread is “Wheaten Bread”. Farls—Literally, this means “Fourths”. Made from the same four “basic” Irish Soda Bread ingredients, the finished dough is shaped into a flat round, cut into quarters, and cooked in a skillet on a smattering of flour.

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Do people in Ireland eat Irish soda bread? ›

Ireland, for one, has embraced it's kind of bread – the soda bread. It is a basic staple among the Irish that they call it Irish Soda Bread. It's common to see the locals pair this famous bread with a bottle of Guinness too.

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What's the difference between Irish bread and American bread? ›

Soda bread in Ireland, which you may see referred to as brown soda bread, tends to be heartier, more rustic fare, featuring wholemeal flour, a different product than our whole-wheat flour. The currant- and caraway-studded version is more common in the United States.

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