Air-Fried Irish Soda Bread: A Tasty Experiment

Irish soda bread is a dense, biscuit-like bread that can be made in an air fryer. It is a simple, yeast-free bread that requires minimal preparation and can be cooked in under an hour. The bread is made with basic pantry ingredients such as flour, sugar, baking soda, butter, and buttermilk. The dough is shaped into a round loaf and cooked in the air fryer for 20-30 minutes. The result is a delicious, slightly sweet bread with a crumbly exterior and a moist interior. It is perfect for serving on St. Patrick's Day or any day you need fresh bread quickly.

Ingredients and measurements for Irish soda bread in an air fryer

Irish soda bread is a simple, quick bread recipe that you can easily make at home. It requires no kneading and only a few ingredients. The best part is that this bread can be baked in an air fryer for 20 minutes. Here are the ingredients and measurements you will need:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• ¾ teaspoon of baking soda
• ½ to ¾ teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of buttermilk

Optional ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons of butter, cut into cubes
• ½ cup of raisins or currants

You can also add rolled oats and black treacle or molasses for extra flavour and texture.

• Step one: Add all the dry ingredients into a big bowl and use a spatula to combine.
• Step two: Add the buttermilk to the dry ingredients and gently combine with the spatula. Then, use your hand to form it into a ball.
• Step three: Divide the dough into two and form each into a round loaf.
• Step four: Spray the air fryer basket and place the dough in the air fryer. Make a cross or score an X on the top of the dough to help it bake faster and more evenly. You can also milk wash the top of the bread by brushing it with milk.
• Step five: Bake the dough for 20 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit and check for doneness with a toothpick. Allow the bread to cool before serving.

Step-by-step instructions for making Irish soda bread in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• ¾ teaspoon of baking soda
• ½ to ¾ teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of buttermilk

Method:

Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients. Add all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt) to a large bowl and mix well.

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients. Create a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk. Mix until a soft dough forms. You can use your hands or a spatula to combine the ingredients gently.

Step 3: Divide and shape the dough. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a round loaf.

Step 4: Prepare the air fryer. Lightly spray or line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Place one loaf in the basket and, using a sharp knife, score a deep cross or an "X" on the top of the dough. This will help the bread bake evenly and allow you to break it into quarters easily after baking.

Step 5: Bake the bread. Place the air fryer basket into the air fryer and bake at 300°F for 20 minutes. To check if the bread is done, insert a toothpick into the centre of the loaf. If it comes out clean, the bread is ready. Allow the bread to cool before serving.

Tips:

• You can add raisins or dried cranberries to the dough for a sweeter bread.
• If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk.
• Irish soda bread is best enjoyed freshly baked on the same day. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the bread for up to 3 months.

How to store Irish soda bread

Irish soda bread is best stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly at room temperature. It can be kept for 2-3 days using this method. Alternatively, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze Irish soda bread for up to 3 months. To do this, let the bread cool completely, then slice it and lay the slices on a baking sheet. Put the sheet in the freezer and once the slices are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-proof container.

It is important to note that Irish soda bread can dry out quickly, so it is best to store it as soon as it has cooled down.

The history of Irish soda bread

Irish soda bread is a simple, quick bread recipe that you can easily make at home. It requires no kneading and only a few ingredients. The best part is that this bread can be baked in an air fryer in just 20 minutes. But what is the history behind this delicious treat?

The first documented people to enjoy soda bread were the American Indians. They used pearl ash, a natural form of soda created from wood ashes, to make bread without yeast. However, this practice became known worldwide when the Irish discovered and replicated it. The idea of using baking soda as a leavening agent didn't originate in Ireland, with precursors like potash and pearl ash being used.

Irish soda bread was first created in the 1830s when baking soda was introduced to the UK. During this time, Ireland faced financial hardship and a lack of resources, so they turned to soda bread out of necessity. It was inexpensive and required few ingredients: wheat flour, baking soda, salt, and soured milk. Even Irish families in isolated areas could gather these ingredients, and they used iron pots and griddles over open hearths to bake the bread, giving it its dense texture, hard crust, and slight sourness.

The great famine of the 1840s made yeast even harder to come by, and the Irish often used softer wheat imported from America, which produced a reliable loaf when combined with baking soda. The unique combination of flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk became the recipe for daily bread in Ireland in the second half of the 19th century, and it remains a cherished part of Irish cuisine today.

Despite its humble beginnings, Irish soda bread has become a staple at St. Patrick's Day celebrations and plays a significant role in Ireland's culinary history. It's a simple yet delicious treat that you can now conveniently make in your air fryer!

How to serve Irish soda bread

Irish soda bread is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some tips on how to serve this delicious treat:

Serving Suggestions:

• Warm with Butter: Irish soda bread is best served warm. Spread some butter on a warm slice, and let it melt and soak into the bread.
• With Marmalade or Jam: The hearty flavour of soda bread pairs well with sweet or bitter citrus marmalades, as well as berry jams.
• With a Hearty Stew: Irish soda bread is traditionally served with a slow-simmered beef and barley stew. It's perfect for soaking up the juices of a hearty stew or soup.
• As a Sandwich: Soda bread has a mild flavour that pairs well with various sandwich fillings. Try Swiss cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut, or get creative with apple butter and bacon.
• With Cheese: Any kind of cheese will go well with soda bread, but blue cheese is especially recommended.
• For Breakfast: Serve it simply with butter and jam, or as part of a full Irish breakfast.
• With Tea: It's a wonderful snack to enjoy with a cup of tea in the afternoon.
• As a Late-Night Snack: Enjoy a slice of soda bread as a late-night treat.

Storage:

Irish soda bread is best eaten on the day it is baked, as it doesn't keep as well as yeast-risen bread. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. You can also freeze slices of the bread, which toast up beautifully later.

Frequently asked questions