Irish Soda Farls (Traditional 20-Minute Irish Flatbread!)

by
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Irish Soda Farls are the fastest way to bring authentic Irish comfort to your table. Crisp on the outside, soft and tender inside perfect with butter and jam or as part of a classic Ulster Fry. When unexpected guests arrive for a bit of craic, this is the bread you make.

table of contents

Quick Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 farls
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients (Only 4!)

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk

That’s it. True traditional Irish simplicity.

How to Make Irish Soda Farls

1️⃣ Heat the Pan

Preheat a heavy skillet or flat griddle over medium-low heat.

2️⃣ Mix the Dough

In a bowl, combine flour and salt.
Sift in baking soda.

Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk.

Work quickly to form a soft, sticky dough.

3️⃣ Shape

Turn onto a well-floured surface.
Knead very lightly — just enough to bring it together.

Flatten into a round about ½ inch thick.

Cut into four quarters (farls).

4️⃣ Cook

Lightly dust the hot pan with flour.

Cook each farl for 6–8 minutes per side until golden brown.

5️⃣ Serve Warm

Best enjoyed fresh with:

  • Irish butter
  • Strawberry jam
  • Honey
  • Or pan-fried in butter for breakfast

Pro Tips for Perfect Farls

✔ Keep heat medium-low (too hot burns the outside)
✔ Dough should be sticky — don’t overwork
✔ Flip gently with a wide spatula
✔ Cook until center feels set

Ulster Fry Serving Idea

Slice and pan-fry farls in butter, then serve with:

  • Eggs
  • Sausage
  • Bacon
  • Grilled tomatoes
  • Black pudding

Classic Northern Irish breakfast comfort.

zinaba word

Irish Soda Farls

Authentic Irish soda farls made with just four simple ingredients and cooked in a skillet. This traditional 20-minute Irish flatbread requires no yeast and delivers a soft interior with a golden crust.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 farls
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Irish
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Equipment

  • heavy skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • wooden spoon
  • knife or bench scraper
  • spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat a heavy skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Add the buttermilk and stir until a soft dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a round about 8 inches wide, and cut into quarters.
  4. Cook the farls in the skillet for 6–8 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
  5. Serve warm with butter.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 320mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 50IUCalcium: 70mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Cook over medium-low heat to ensure the inside cooks through without burning the outside. Split and toast with butter for a traditional Irish breakfast. Best served warm the same day.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Conclusion

Irish Soda Farls are rustic, humble, and beautifully simple. Just flour, buttermilk, and a hot pan — and in 20 minutes you have warm Irish bread ready for butter, jam, or a full Ulster breakfast.

Quick. Authentic. Comforting.