This classic Irish oat bread with raisins makes for a perfect and hearty breakfast for St. Patrick’s day!
Irish oat bread with raisins is easy and hearty with just the right amount of sweetness.
For St. Patrick’s Day, I bought a handful of vintage Irish cookbooks. I wanted to learn a few traditional Irish recipes to help ring in the holiday in March. Historically, I’ve never done much to celebrate St. Patrick’s day which is sad considering I come from an Irish family! Only as recently as a year or two ago did I make corned beef for the first time. I’m excited to start digging more into the traditions and history of Irish cooking over the next few weeks and to share what I learn with you.
As I flipped through the books, I earmarked a few ideas. Naturally, I saved the usual suspects, like colcannon, haggerty, scallion champ, and all sorts of savory dishes. When I got to the breads and sweets, I kept being drawn to the oaten loaves. Specifically, I was interested in the oaten fruit loaf which is just a simple oat bread with raisins, nuts, and honey. As someone who doesn’t consider herself the most gifted baker, I was immediately intrigued by what seemed to be very easy, no-fuss steps.
While I can’t take credit for the recipe, which first appeared in the book Feasting Galore by Maura Laverty, I did make a few small tweaks. I loved the recipe so much that I immediately made a version of it with dates and hazelnuts.
What I found interesting is that when I looked up Irish oaten bread or or Irish oatmeal bread, it’s often presented as a soda bread with oats. Only one of the cookbooks I bought uses baking soda in the recipe. One recipe uses yeast and the one I referenced uses only baking powder as its leavening agent.
If you’re looking for a different Irish bread to try this St. Patrick’s day, I strongly recommend this oaten loaf! But as always, two is better than one! So make both soda bread and an oat bread this year!
How to make Irish oat bread with raisins
This recipe is so beyond easy to make, and you only need a handful of ingredients.
What you need
- Irish oat meal: Irish oat meal, or Irish oats, is another name for steel-cut oats. These are coarsely cut whole oat groats (a hulled oat) which have a chewier texture and more intense flavor than rolled oats. Don’t replace Irish oats with rolled oats or with quick-cooking steel-cut oats in this recipe as the chewiness of the oats is what makes this bread so tasty!
- Bread ingredients: Beyond the oats, you’ll add butter, honey, egg, milk, flour, baking powder, and salt to the bread.
- Fruit and nuts: This recipe uses golden raisins. The original recipe didn’t specify which type of nut to use, but I love pecans! You can use walnuts too. Red raisins or even cranberries would be delicious in this.
How to make it
- Step 1: Soak the oats. Cover the oats with 1¼ cup boiling water. Soak for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours at room temperature. The oats should be tender, but not mushy.
- Step 2: Add butter and honey. Melt butter and add it to the oats along with honey and stir to combine.
- Step 3: Add milk, egg, and dry ingredients. Whisk together the milk and egg and set aside. Add flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add half the egg and milk mixture to the oats and stir until combined. Add half the flour and stir until combined. Alternate adding the remaining egg and milk and flour and stir until the ingredients are well-combined.
- Step 4: Add the fruit and nuts. Fold in the raisins and pecans and pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350ºF for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Step 5: Let cool. Remove the oat bread from the oven and turn out onto a wire baking rack. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
From there, you can serve with butter–Kerrygold is delicious on this–and fresh fruit and enjoy!
How long does oat bread with raisins last
Oat bread with raisins will last for 3 to 5 days at room temperature in an airtight container. While you can refrigerate it, it’s better to keep the bread at room temperature.
How to freeze oat bread with raisins
If you want to freeze the oat bread, let it cool completely first. Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then wrap it again in aluminum foil. Transfer to a gallon freezer bag. Store the bread in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can freeze the bread as a loaf or you can wrap and freeze individual slices of oat bread.
Irish Oat Bread with Raisins
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Irish oat meal (or use steel-cut oats)
- 1¼ cup boiling water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup butter (melted)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 cups golden raisins
- ½ cup pecans (roughly chopped)
For serving:
Instructions
Soak the oats:
- Place the oats in a large bowl. Pour the boiling water on top. Let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
Prepare the dry ingredients:
- Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
Prepare the wet ingredients:
- Whisk together the egg and milk in a separate bowl.
Prepare the bread:
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Add the melted butter and honey to the prepared oats and stir until combined.
- Add half the milk and egg mixture and stir until combined. Add half the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Alternately add the rest of the milk and eggs and flour and stir until combined.
Add the fruit and nuts:
- Fold the raisins and pecans into the mixture. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake the oat loaf:
- Transfer the bread to the oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Cool the bread:
- Remove the bread from the oven and turn onto a baking rack. Let cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
To serve:
- Slice the oat bread and spread butter or fruit preserves on top. Enjoy!
