Description
Soda farls are traditional Irish griddle breads made with simple ingredients like flour, buttermilk, and bicarbonate of soda. These hearty quarter-circle breads are cooked on a skillet until golden brown and served warm with butter, making them a perfect accompaniment to any meal or a comforting snack on their own.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 heaped tsp bicarbonate of soda
Wet Ingredients
- 225ml buttermilk
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, salt, sugar, and bicarbonate of soda by stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Add Buttermilk: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the buttermilk into it. Quickly stir the mixture with a spoon to bring the dough together.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it briefly until smooth and just combined.
- Shape and Cut: Roll out the dough into a rough 20 cm diameter circle. Then, cut the circle into four equal quarters to form the farls.
- Cook on Skillet: Heat a skillet or heavy-based frying pan over low to medium heat. Place the farls in the pan and cook each side for 8 to 10 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool Slightly and Serve: Remove the farls from the heat and leave them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Split them open and serve warm, ideally with butter for a classic taste experience.
Notes
- Use a heavy-based frying pan or skillet to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Maintaining low to medium heat is important to cook the farls through without burning the outside.
- Buttermilk adds a slight tang and helps activate the bicarbonate of soda for leavening; if unavailable, use milk mixed with a little lemon juice or vinegar.
- Farls can be enjoyed plain or with toppings such as butter, jam, or honey.
- Store any leftovers wrapped in foil or an airtight container and reheat in the skillet before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Irish
Keywords: Soda farls, Irish bread, skillet bread, traditional Irish recipe, quick bread, buttermilk bread
