
Soda bread for breakfast with jam is a simple, rustic dish featuring a quick bread leavened with baking soda instead of yeast, often enjoyed warm with a spread of fruit jam. The bread typically uses basic pantry staples like flour, buttermilk, salt, and baking soda, and it hails from Ireland and the UK. It's a comforting, no-fuss breakfast or tea-time treat.
This dish is primarily high in carbohydrates from the bread and sugars from the jam, with moderate fat if butter is added, and minimal protein. It provides quick energy, some B vitamins, and a small amount of calcium from the buttermilk, with a typical serving (one slice with jam) ranging from 200-300 calories.
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 4.5 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fat | 3.5 g |
| Fiber | 2.5 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Sodium | 420 mg |
| Iron | 2.1 mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.3 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 2.8 mg |
| Folate | 65 mcg |
| Calcium | 55 mg |
| Magnesium | 18 mg |
| Phosphorus | 70 mg |
| Selenium | 12 mcg |
Per 1 slice (80 g) with 1 tbsp (20 g) jam · estimated, varies by recipe
Soda bread is unique for its incredibly fast preparation—no rising time needed—making it a historical 'quick bread' born out of necessity in regions where yeast was scarce. Nutritionally, the buttermilk's acidity reacts with baking soda to create lift, and pairing it with jam adds a burst of fruit-based antioxidants to the simple base.