Is Soda Bread Vegan?

Soda bread

Soda bread has a fast-acting dough that relies on the use of sodium bicarbonate as a leavening agent as opposed to yeast. The reaction between the soda and acids in buttermilk release carbon dioxide for its signature, light and bubbly texture. 

The origins of soda bead

Whilst you might be quick to think of Ireland as the home of soda bread, its origins lie with the indigenous people of North America. A natural form of soda called pearl ash was used to leaven their bread without yeast. This natural soda was formed from the ashes of wood, the potash (or potassium carbonate) became the forerunner of baking soda. 

Is soda bread vegan?

Traditionally no, soda bread isn’t suitable for anyone on a plant-based diet. This is because one of the main ingredients, and the key to its chemical reaction, is dairy-based buttermilk – a fermented dairy product that’s typically left behind after churning milk for butter. 

But can soda bread be vegan? Yes, of course (and it’s delicious).

Vegan soda bread recipe 

We love this vegan Irish soda bread recipe from The Conscious Plant Kitchen. They use full-fat plant milk (soy for the best texture) and an acid (can be lemon juice,  apple cider vinegar or any other type of vinegar you might have in your kitchen cupboards) to cause the reaction with baking soda. 

Keep your plant-based questions coming our way and we’ll answer them for you!