This homemade rye bread is awesome. It is extremely easy to make and is a type of soda bread that uses baking soda instead of yeast. Also, there are no eggs in this recipe.
Rye soda bread is dense, heavy, hearty, and with just a hint of sweetness. It has a crumbly texture which is very common with soda bread.
If you are a fan of soda bread and rye, give this easy rye bread a try. From start to finish it is done in about an hour. If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get baking!
Step 1: Gather the ingredients and tools/equipment
In order to make this rye bread from scratch you will need a handful of ingredients:
- Whole wheat flour
- Dark rye flour – You can’t make rye bread without rye flour!
- Brown sugar – You may use either light brown sugar or dark brown sugar.
- Baking soda – This is the leavening agent.
- Salt
- Root beer – Some people will use a stout beer as well. I don’t drink alcohol, so I never have beer on hand.
- Buttermilk – You can use storebought buttermilk or use this homemade buttermilk substitute.
- Dried currants or raisins – This is an optional but very common ingredient in rye soda bread.
Tools/Equipment
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or sturdy silicone spoon
- Knife
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
- Wire rack
Step 2: How to make rye bread at home from scratch
First, preheat the oven to 400F/205C. Make sure the main rack is in the middle position.
Add the dark rye flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar to a large bowl and whisk until combined.
Next, pour in the root beer and the buttermilk and use a wooden spoon or sturdy silicone spoon to stir until a dough forms.
Now, pour the dough onto a floured surface. Knead the dough for a minute or two. Then shape it into a round loaf. Sprinkle the top with flour and coat the whole outside with it.
Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Score the top of the dough, the # mark is a popular design.
Scoring just means cutting slits on the top of the dough. This helps control the expansion of the dough while it bakes which also helps prevent cracking.
Bake on the middle rack in the oven for 40 minutes.
Allow the bread to cool for a few minutes then place it on a wire rack to cool the rest of the way.
Now you can slice it and serve it. The bread will feel very heavy for its size. It will be dense and a little crumbly, which is very common for “soda bread”.
Eat it plain, spread some butter and jam on it, eat it with soup or stew, whatever you like.
Enjoy!
How long does homemade rye bread last?
Store the bread in an airtight container after it has cooled, either at room temperature or in the fridge. It will last about a week at room temperature and about two weeks in the fridge. You may also freeze the bread if you like.
Here are some other bread recipes you may like:
Rye Soda Bread
Equipment
- Bowl
- Knife
- sheet pan
- Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
- Wire rack
- Whisk
- Wooden or sturdy silicone spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup of whole wheat flour 113g
- 1 1/2 cups of dark rye flour 165g
- 1/4 cup of light or dark brown sugar 54g
- 1 Tbsp of baking soda 18g
- 1/2 tsp of salt 3g
- 1/2 cup of root beer 118ml
- 1/2 cup of buttermilk 113g
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F/205C, with the main rack in the middle position.
- Whisk together the whole wheat flour, rye flour, salt, baking soda, and brown sugar in a large bowl.
- Add the root beer and the buttermilk then stir with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together.
- Pour dough onto a floured surface and knead for a few minutes. Shape the dough into a round loaf. Then lightly cover the dough in flour.
- Place the loaf on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Score a # mark on the top of the loaf.
- Bake for 40 minutes.
- Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes and then serve. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Oh Yum – Rye bread is my favorite! Your recipe is so delicious. It’s so nice having fresh bread!
Glad you like it!! Yeah, fresh homemade bread is amazing.
My husband is the bread maker; he says this recipe is easy to follow, and I say delish! Thanks.
Awesome! Glad he made it and that you liked it.
The instructions were wonderful! Mine turned out so perfect.
Thank you! Glad you tried it and liked it.