Name: Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 3/4 teaspoon baking soda; 2 teaspoons crushed fennel and caraway seeds; 1 1/2 to 2 cups buttermilk; 3 tablespoons butter (divided)

There’s something utterly comforting about bread baking in the oven, and this Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe packs all that warmth into small, buttery rolls with a lovely twist thanks to fennel and caraway seeds. Perfectly golden and crispy on the outside, soft and tender inside—these little skillet-baked gems will quickly become a favorite.

The image shows four golden brown biscuits with a slightly rough and crumbly texture on top, in a black cast iron skillet with an orange outer edge. Each biscuit has a rounded shape with uneven, cracked tops and some small browned spots that give them a baked look. The skillet sits on a white marbled surface, and the close-up focus highlights the biscuits' crusty tops and soft, dense insides. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I baked these Irish soda bread minis in my cast iron skillet—the aroma filled my kitchen instantly and had me eagerly waiting to pull them out golden and crusty. The mix of fennel and caraway seeds gives them an inviting, subtle spice that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Quick and Easy: Ready in just 40 minutes, these rolls are perfect for when you want fresh bread fast.
Unique Flavor Twist: Fennel and caraway seeds add a delightful aromatic note uncommon in typical soda bread.
Golden Crispy Crust: Baking in a buttered cast iron skillet yields an irresistible crunchy exterior.
Perfect for Sharing: Mini-sized rolls mean everyone gets their own – ideal for breakfast or dinner sides.

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients are simply pantry staples with a few special touches. When shopping, make sure to pick fresh fennel and caraway seeds for that fragrant burst, and cold buttermilk straight from the fridge helps give the dough just the right texture and tang.

Flat lay of three tablespoons of golden butter sticks, a small mound of white all-purpose flour, a teaspoon of coarse kosher salt in a small white bowl, a small white bowl with pale beige crushed fennel and caraway seeds, a small white bowl holding creamy white buttermilk, a small white bowl containing fine white baking soda, all arranged symmetrically and naturally on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for tender yet sturdy bread minis.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering the subtle spices.
Baking soda: The classic leavening agent in Irish soda bread that gives that quick rise.
Crushed fennel and caraway seeds: Together, they add a warm, slightly sweet and licorice-like flavor that makes these minis special.
Buttermilk: Adds acidity for the baking soda to react with, yielding a soft crumb and subtle tang.
Butter: Divided between the dough and for brushing, it adds richness and helps create a crisp, golden crust.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts of this Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe is how easy it is to make each batch uniquely yours. Whether you want to tweak the flavors, accommodate dietary needs, or add a seasonal twist, these little soda bread rolls are a fun blank canvas!

Fennel + Caraway Variations: If you love the anise-like kick from fennel but want to experiment, try increasing just the caraway seeds or swap in anise seeds for a subtle change. I once doubled the fennel seeds for a more aromatic batch and it was a hit at brunch!
Dairy-Free Option: I often make these minis dairy-free by swapping butter with plant-based margarine and using almond milk with a splash of vinegar as buttermilk. They still come out tender and flavorful — perfect if you’re catering to vegan friends.
Herbed Up: Toss in fresh chopped rosemary or thyme along with the seeds for a savory, herbaceous riff. I love serving these alongside a hearty stew for a cozy dinner.
Sweet Touch: For a sweeter variation, add a tablespoon of honey to the buttermilk and a handful of currants or raisins to the dough. It makes a lovely breakfast treat!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe

The image shows three golden-brown scones with a rough, crumbly texture placed on parchment paper inside a round tray. Two scones lie on the tray, one slightly blurred in the background, while a woman's hands are breaking apart one scone in the foreground, revealing its soft, fluffy white inside. A knife with butter on it rests nearby on the parchment paper. The scene is set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Skillet

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit—this is the perfect temperature to get that golden crust on your minis. While the oven warms up, generously butter your 10-inch cast iron skillet with 1 tablespoon of butter. This not only prevents sticking but also adds that special buttery flavor to the crust. A well-buttered skillet makes all the difference for achieving a crispy base!

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¾ teaspoon baking soda, and 2 teaspoons of crushed fennel and caraway seeds. Make sure the seeds are crushed finely so their flavors fully infuse your bread. Stir everything well to ensure an even distribution of ingredients for consistent flavor throughout each bite.

Step 3: Add Buttermilk and Form the Dough

Create a shallow well in the center of your dry ingredients and pour in 1 ½ cups of cold buttermilk. Using a wooden spoon, gently stir from the outside edges toward the center to incorporate the flour into the buttermilk. If your dough is still too dry—meaning it doesn’t come together easily—add more buttermilk, one tablespoon at a time. Remember, the goal is a softly shaggy dough that’s just coming together; over-mixing can lead to tough bread.

Step 4: Shape the Dough Balls

Turn your craggly, slightly sticky dough out onto a clean work surface. Here’s a neat trick: wet your hands with water before handling the dough to stop it from sticking. Gently knead the dough into a flattened disk, then divide it evenly into 5 or 6 portions. Shape each into a round ball. The dough is forgiving, so don’t stress about perfect shapes—rustic charm is part of the appeal!

Step 5: Arrange in Skillet and Bake the First Round

Place your dough balls in the buttered cast iron skillet, spacing them evenly without packing tightly so they can expand as they bake. Pop the skillet into the oven and bake for 15 minutes. You’ll start to see the tops browning lightly—a sign that first crust is forming beautifully.

Step 6: Brush With Butter and Finish Baking

While the minis bake, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan. Once 15 minutes is up and the rolls have browned on top, carefully pull out the skillet. Brush each roll generously with the melted butter—this step amps up the crispness and adds a luscious buttery shine. Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes. The rolls will be golden brown with delightful brown peaks on top.

Step 7: Rest, Serve, and Enjoy!

Remove the skillet from the oven and let the minis rest just long enough to handle safely—about 5 minutes. Then split them open and slather with more butter (because why not?). The contrast between the crispy crust and soft, tender interior is simply irresistible. These fresh soda bread minis are perfect alongside any meal or just enjoyed warm with a cup of tea.

Top Tip

Making these Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe come out perfectly crispy on the outside while tender inside is all about the little details. Here are some tips I've picked up from baking these delightful rolls again and again.

Use Cold Buttermilk: I find that using cold buttermilk straight from the fridge helps the dough come together just right without getting too sticky, which makes shaping easier.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix just until combined and knead gently — over-kneading can make the minis tough instead of soft and fluffy inside.
Butter Your Skillet Generously: Don’t skimp on buttering the cast iron pan; it’s key to getting that gorgeous crispy crust and prevents the rolls from sticking.
Brush with Melted Butter Midway: Brushing the minis with melted butter halfway through baking adds flavor and creates those irresistible golden, browned peeks on top.

How to Serve Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe

The image shows two cast iron pans with five round dough pieces in each, arranged with one in the center and four around it. The left pan holds raw dough balls that are pale and rough in texture with a white color, while the right pan displays the same dough pieces baked to a golden brown with a slightly crispy and uneven surface. Both pans are black with bright orange handles, placed on a white marbled surface that has subtle gray vein patterns. The contrast between the raw and baked biscuits highlights their texture and color change clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These minis are incredibly versatile and delicious right out of the oven, but you can elevate them with some simple garnishes. Try spreading a generous pat of salted butter or honey butter for a sweet touch. A smear of Irish cream cheese or a dollop of homemade berry jam also pairs wonderfully. For a savory twist, serve alongside a thick slice of sharp cheddar or a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley.

Side Dishes

Because these soda bread minis pack so much character with fennel and caraway seeds, they’re a perfect companion to hearty Irish stews or rich soups like creamy potato leek or beef & Guinness stew. They also shine at breakfast, alongside scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, or creamy mushroom ragout. Don’t forget a fresh salad with crisp greens and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the buttery rolls.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, store any leftover Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag at room temperature. They'll stay fresh for up to 2 days, keeping their tender inside and crisp crust as long as they’re not exposed to humidity.

Freezing

If you want to keep them longer, these minis freeze beautifully. Wrap each cooled roll individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Reheating

To enjoy leftover or frozen soda bread minis, reheat gently in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. For an extra crisp crust, you can brush a little melted butter on top before reheating. Avoid microwaving, which can make the crust soggy and the texture chewy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis Recipe without fennel seeds?

Absolutely! If you don't have fennel seeds, you can simply increase the amount of caraway seeds or substitute with anise seeds to achieve a similar aromatic flavor profile.

What can I use as a dairy-free alternative for the buttermilk and butter?

For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine and use a vegan buttermilk alternative like almond milk mixed with a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice to mimic the acidity.

Why does the dough need to be craggly and slightly sticky?

The texture ensures the soda bread stays tender and moist inside. Overmixing or adding too much flour will result in a dense, dry bread instead of soft minis with a light crumb.

Can I bake the minis on a regular baking sheet instead of a cast iron skillet?

While you can use a baking sheet, a cast iron skillet helps develop that signature crispy crust and even browning due to its heat retention. If using a baking sheet, be sure to butter it well and watch the baking time closely.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about pulling a skillet of these Crispy Irish Soda Bread Minis from the oven—the warm, buttery aroma and the satisfying crunch of their golden crust make them simply unforgettable. Whether you’re sharing at a cozy breakfast table or serving alongside a hearty dinner stew, these minis are a small but mighty celebration of Irish baking tradition. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do—warm, fresh, and bursting with flavor!