Bonnach is an easy and delicious No Yeast Bread recipe with a Scottish/Irish background. Like traditional Irish Soda Bread, it’s made with simple ingredients and whole grains. Bonnach is a wholesome homemade bread that you can have on the table in less than an hour from start to finish! Serve it with soups and stews, or just enjoy a warm slice with butter and your favorite jam.
Looking for another quick and easy bread recipe? Try our Cast Iron Southern Cornbread.
I love homemade bread, but I don’t always have the time for yeast bread with long rise times. This no-yeast bread is the perfect solution! It has a crunchy, golden-brown crust and is soft and dense on the inside. You can use it as a sandwich bread, but we like it best hot out of the oven with a simple smear of butter. This soda bread is also perfectly served with soup, stew, or chili.
For people suffering from certain diseases like Candida, Diabetes, and some digestive problems a no yeast bread can have benefits.
What is No Yeast Bread?
No Yeast Bread is any type of bread that doesn’t use yeast for leavening. The most common types of no-yeast breads are:
- Quick Breads – These are breads made with a batter, like banana bread.
- Flat Breads – These are breads that are usually made without any leavening agents at all and are thinner and flatter, like naan bread or pita bread.
- Soda Breads – These are breads that use baking soda for leavening. Bonnach is a traditional Irish/Scottish soda bread that uses both baking soda and buttermilk for leavening.
HELPFUL ITEMS FOR THIS RECIPE
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Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls With Airtight Lids, Set of 5
Mama’s Great Ultra Sharp Serrated Bread Knife for Homemade Bread with 10.5 Inch Wide Wavy Edge
What is in No Yeast Bread?
Not only is this No Yeast Bread super fast and easy, it only requires a handful of wholesome ingredients! If you keep these ingredients on hand, you can whip up a delicious loaf of Bonnach any time. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
All-Purpose Flour – I like to use unbleached flour, but any type of all-purpose flour will work for this recipe.
Whole Wheat Flour – Not only does this whole grain flour add more nutrition to the bread, but it also adds a delicious nutty flavor.
Bran – This adds fiber to the bread but also helps give the bread its dense, chewy structure. If you can’t find bran, you can substitute wheat germ for a similar effect and flavor.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda – Using both baking powder and baking soda helps keep the bread from being too heavy.
Sugar – There are only two tablespoons of granulated sugar, but it gives the finished bread a wonderful flavor, though it’s not a sweet bread.
Egg – One lightly beaten egg to help bind the bread dough.
Butter – Cold butter cut into the flour adds both a softer texture to the bread as well as ensures a golden, crispy crust on the outside.
Buttermilk – This is the secret ingredient! It’s a leavening agent for the bread, but it also gives it wonderful flavor and texture.
How to Make No Yeast Bread – Bonnach
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, bran, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Cut in the cold butter until it resembles a coarse meal (as pictured above).
Stir in the lightly beaten egg and the buttermilk, mixing just until the dough begins to come together. You may want to use your hands to mix it, lightly kneading it until it forms a dough ball. Be careful not to over-knead.
Shape the dough into a round loaf, with the smooth side up. Place it onto an ungreased baking sheet or cast iron skillet. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 45 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
Let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting, or it might be a bit crumbly. Serve warm with butter and desired toppings.
Recipe Pro Tips!
What is the texture of this bread?
This Bonnach has a crispy golden crust exterior with a tight, dense crumb. The bread is not heavy, though, as it is light and soft on the inside.
How Can I Store this Bonnach?
Cover and store leftovers in an air-tight container at room temperature for 2 days. It never lasts longer than that as we devour this bread.
Can I Freeze Bonnach?
Yes, let the bread cool completely, and then wrap it well and store it in an air-tight container or freezer bag. Bonnach will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Want More Irish Recipes to Enjoy?
If you want more Irish recipes, we have some that are so very good and among our favorite recipes.
No Yeast Bread – Bonnach
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup natural bran
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 1/3 cup cold butter
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine flour, bran, baking powder, soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
- Cut in butter until it resembles a coarse meal.
- Stir in egg and buttermilk and mix well.
- Turn out onto a floured surface and knead slightly.
- Roll or press into a round loaf.
- Place on an ungreased baking sheet or cast iron skillet.
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