Try Oatmeal Soda Bread with Apricots for a change from the typical raisin soda bread. This healthy and hearty soda bread is made with rolled oats and dried apricots.

This bread is so easy to make that it should be enjoyed year-round, not only for St. Patrick’s day.

If you’re looking for a more traditional Soda Bread or Brown Bread, go ahead and link through to one of those recipes. But I urge you to try this new version too.

If you keep a sourdough starter, you can make Sourdough Irish Soda Bread or Sourdough Irish Brown Bread with your discard.

Perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea.

Homemade Oatmeal Soda Bread with Apricots for a nice change of pace!

I wanted to make a soda bread that was a little different than the usual, so I immediately thought of adding oats. I switched out the white sugar for a little honey and used dried apricots instead of raisins. With just a hint of sweetness, this soda bread is particularly good toasted for breakfast.

While the bread is baking the apricot bits on the surface will probably burn. Just use a toothpick or the pointed tip of a knife to pick the burned bits off the loaf after it comes out of the oven.

Oatmeal Soda Bread with Apricots is so easy to make. The dough comes together so quickly it should be enjoyed year-round, not only for St. Patrick’s day.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a 5-star review.

Oatmeal Soda Bread with Apricots

Name: Oatmeal Soda Bread with Apricots
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: baked goods
Ingredients: 3 cups (15 oz, 420g) all purpose flour; 2 cups (12 oz, 336g) old fashioned rolled oats; 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 2 tablespoons (1 oz, 28g) unsalted butter; 20 dried apricot halves - diced into 1/2" bits; 1 1/2 cups (12 oz, 360ml) buttermilk, plus more for brushing; 1 large egg; 2 tablespoons honey

Yield: 1 large loaf

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Bake Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Try Oatmeal Soda Bread with Apricots for a change from the typical raisin soda bread. This healthy and hearty soda bread is made with rolled oats and dried apricots.

Ingredients

3 cups (15 oz, 420g) all purpose flour
2 cups (12 oz, 336g) old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons (1 oz, 28g) unsalted butter
20 dried apricot halves - diced into 1/2" bits
1 1/2 cups (12 oz, 360ml) buttermilk, plus more for brushing
1 large egg
2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 1/2 sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Combine the all purpose flour, oats, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Work the butter into the flour with your fingers until there are no lumps larger than a pea. Toss the apricot bits into the dry ingredients to disperse.
Combine the buttermilk, egg and honey and whisk to combine. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients. Pour the buttermilk into the well and mix with a wooden spoon until almost all the dry ingredients are absorbed.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead about 15-20 times until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a large ball and place it on the prepared sheet pan. Cut a 1/2-3/4" deep X onto the top of the loaf. Brush the loaf with some more buttermilk.
Bake 45-50 minutes. The loaf is done when you tap the bottom of the loaf and it sounds hollow and the surface is golden brown Internal temperature should be about 200°F.