Irish Brown Bread

This homemade quick bread is a delicious staple with soup and stew or for breakfast in Ireland. Irish Brown Bread is easy to make and freezes well. Slather in butter or marmalade jelly for a mouthwatering snack.

Traditional Irish Brown Bread has been a favorite in Ireland for many generations. It’s so easy to make and everyone loves its warm, nutty flavor and chewy texture. It’s perfect to serve on St. Patrick’s Day or, really, anytime of year.

Nothing beats the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven. I love eating it while it still warm with a variety of toppings. There’s no limit to the delicious toppings from honey to butter to jams. Yum!

Whether you want to enjoy a slice of freshly baked brown bread with your afternoon tea or served alongside some traditional Irish food (mmmm Irish stew!), this easy family recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.

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With minimal ingredients, it’s a no-fuss bread that’s sure to please the whole family. So go ahead and treat yourself (and everyone else) to some delicious Irish Brown Bread!

Why You’ll Love Irish Brown Brown

• No yeast! Just basic ingredients.
• Serve for St. Patrick’s Day
• The most delicious brown bread recipe
• Perfect for all family members to enjoy
• Can be frozen for later
• Hearty, nutty and dense with a slight sweetness

Ingredients

• Whole wheat flour – Gives the bread its distinctive color, texture and nutty flavor
• All-purpose flour
• Old-fashioned oats – Adds extra flavor and texture.
• Oat bran – Adds extra flavor and texture.
• Mixed seeds – I like sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
• Granulated sugar – Gives a little sweetness.
• Salt – If you are using salted seeds, you can omit the salt. Salt enhances flavors.
• Baking soda – Used instead of yeast as a leavening agent. It will react with the buttermilk to help the bread rise.
• Eggs
• Buttermilk – Activates the baking soda so the bread will rise.

How to Make Irish Brown Bread

• Step One: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan with cooking spray and a good dusting of whole wheat flour to coat the inside.
• Step Two: In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients except the 2 tbsp of oats for the topping.
• Step Three: In another bowl, mix the eggs and buttermilk and add to the dry ingredients.
• Step Four: Combine the wet ingredients and dry ingredients together with a spoon. The mixture should be wet and sticky. Depending on the type of oats used, you might need more or less buttermilk. Add a tablespoon at a time until all the flour is incorporated.

• Step Five: Pour the mixture into a loaf pan and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tbsp of oats.
• Step Six: With a sharp knife, make a 2 inch slit down the center of the bread before placing it in the preheated oven. 
• Step Seven: Bake for 1 hour or until a skewer or sharp knife comes out clean.

Equipment Needed

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• 9×5 inch loaf pan
• Mixing bowls
• Scraper spatula
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon
• Wire rack

What to Serve with this Irish Brown Bread Recipe

• Slather on Irish butter (if you can find it!) or a smear of butter. Homemade fresh butter is yummy! You can also enjoy with Copycat Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter.
• Top with honey, jams, marmalades or preserves. 
• Cup of tea or coffee.
• Pint of Guinness.
• Serve as part of your full Irish breakfast.
• Use to dip in your Irish Stew. 

Variations and Substitutions

• You can swap out the oatmeal and oat bran interchangeably. You can also use wheat germ instead of the oat bran.
• Try quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats. If you find the batter too dry, you may need to add a little more buttermilk.
• Substitute any kind of nuts for the sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. You could also use raisins or caraway seeds.
• You can also leave out the mixed nuts entirely for a more traditional version.
• Substitute brown sugar for the granulated sugar. 

Storage Instructions

Store the brown bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap because it can dry out. It will last about 3 to 4 days at room temperature when it’s wrapped up properly. 

Can I Freeze?

Yes! You can freeze the entire loaf or individual slices. 

With the loaf, make sure to wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then put in a freezer bag or wrap in aluminum foil.

For the slices you freeze individually or a few slices together. Wrap them in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer bag.

Store the bread in the freezer for up to 2 to 3 months. 

You can defrost it overnight or in the microwave.

What Does Irish Brown Bread Taste Like?

Irish Brown Bread tastes nutty with a slight sweetness. The buttermilk gives it slight sourdough taste as well. It’s also a dense bread making it a hearty option to satisfy hunger. 

Can I Eat It Warm or Cold?

This bread is yummy eaten all ways: warm, cold or toasted!

Can I Make This Bread in a Round Dish Instead of a Loaf Pan?

Yes, you can make your bread in a circular dish! Use an 8 inch cake pan or a round casserole dish. Instead of just one slit down the center, make an “X” slit with a knife in the center before baking.

How to Make Your Own Buttermilk

No buttermilk? No problem. You don’t have to go buy a carton of buttermilk. You can make your own easily at home.

For this recipe, you need 1 cup of regular milk and 1 ½ tablespoons of either white vinegar OR lemon juice.

Add the ingredients to a measuring cup and stir gently. Let it sit for 10 minutes until the milk curdles and thickens. It’s now ready to use in the recipe!

What’s the Difference Between Irish Brown Bread and Irish Soda Bread?

While both breads are traditional Irish breads, they have a few key differences. 

Irish Brown Bread is made with whole wheat flour and white flour along with buttermilk, baking soda, salt, and sugar for sweetness. It’s hearty and dense with a nutty flavor. 

Irish Soda Bread is made with flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk. It’s more crumbly than Irish Brown Bread with a slightly tangy flavor.  

Can I Omit the Sugar?

Yes, you can! The sugar is only need to give it a slightly sweet taste. Omitting it will not change the outcome beyond the bread not being a little sweet. Sugar is not included in the traditional Irish Brown Bread recipe.

Why Do We Cut a Slit in the Bread?

The slit cut into the bread before it goes into the oven will help the bread rise evenly by allowing steam to escape. Otherwise the steam from the buttermilk and baking soda reaction will have no where to go and will cause the bread to become soggy or too dense. It allows it to bake more evenly and have a consistent texture throughout the bread.

Irish Recipes

• Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
• Irish Potatoes
• More Traditional Irish Dishes

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