If you were recently diagnosed with celiac disease, wheat allergy or intolerance, then you are probably wondering what the best gluten-free options for bread are.
This article goes into detail about the best gluten-free breads for all my bread lovers out there based on budget, nutrition, ratings and more.
As a Registered Dietitian, I’ve worked with celiac and gluten-free patients in the past and know how hard it is to find alternatives that actually taste good.
This list of the best gluten-free sandwich breads all have great reviews and provide the proper nutrition you need to avoid deficiencies when switching to a gluten-free diet.
Is gluten-free bread better for you than regular bread?
Not necessarily. It really depends on the kind of gluten-free bread and the kind of regular bread considering there are so many varieties out there. It’s important to note that gluten itself isn’t harmful unless you have celiac disease (despite what the wellness gurus are saying). If you have digestive discomfort after consuming wheat products, read the next section.
The purpose of consuming grain products like bread is to get enough carbohydrates, fiber, B vitamins and minerals to prevent deficiencies and promote general health.
If you must consume gluten-free products, be sure to choose products that contain all of these nutrients. Remember, if you cut out any food group, you are at risk for nutrient deficiencies, so make sure you aren’t missing out on the essentials.
Even the biggest gluten-free bread brands don’t necessarily cover all of these essential nutrients, which is a good reason for reading the nutrition facts label before purchasing.
Who needs to eat gluten-free bread?
Gluten-free bread is the better option if you have celiac disease, food allergies or gluten intolerance. If you don’t fall into any of these categories, then there is no reason you should completely avoid gluten.
If you notice any digestive problems after consuming wheat products or gluten-containing foods, speak to your doctor and they can test you for celiac disease and food allergies. If the result comes back negative, I recommend being referred to a dietitian to see if it could be a gluten sensitivity or intolerance.
There is a group of carbohydrates in wheat products called “fructans” that can sometimes cause gastrointestinal discomfort, especially when consumed in large quantities.
It’s possible you are intolerant to this carbohydrate, and if this is the case, it’s probably best to avoid wheat and opt for gluten-free alternatives.
If you are intolerant to fructans, it’s likely you will also have adverse reactions to other foods like onions, garlic, shallots, barley, cabbage, broccoli, artichoke, pistachio, chicory root and asparagus. These foods all are high in fructans and can cause stomach issues in those with intolerances.
Things to consider when choosing gluten-free bread
When choosing a gluten-free bread, be sure to consider cost, nutrition and taste. You want to be sure the product you are purchasing is in your price range, has the appropriate nutrients to help prevent deficiencies and tastes good. It’s also good to check if the product has good reviews.
That being said, gluten-free bread will almost always be more expensive than regular bread, which ranges from $1-4 per loaf. So if you are on a tight budget, the best option may be to stick to gluten-free grains like rice, quinoa, oats and popcorn.
Also, it’s difficult to find gluten-free bread that provides all the nutrition that regular bread provides. Especially since gluten-free bread isn’t fortified with B vitamins and minerals like regular bread typically is.
Nutritionally, I recommend at least choosing a bread that contains fiber and iron. These are going to be the two more important nutrients to look out for. If the bread is also fortified with B vitamins and other minerals, this is an added bonus.
Finally, if you are eating a gluten-free diet, I recommend trying out a few different gluten-free breads to see which one tastes the best to you. We all have different preferences, and even if a gluten-free bread has great ratings, it doesn’t mean you’ll like it.
Alternatively, you can always make your own homemade gluten-free bread. A whole loaf of homemade gluten-free bread is going to be a lot cheaper than a store bought versions. Some brands offer gluten-free bread mixes with a gluten-free flour blend ideal for bread. This can be great for a first time bread baker.
The 7 Best Gluten Free Breads
Best Budget: 365 by Whole Foods Market, Bread Multigrain Gluten-Free
- Cost: $4.99 ($0.25/oz)
- Amazon Rating: 4.3 out of 5
- Dietitian’s Review: I love this gluten-free bread because it’s significantly cheaper than the other bread options, plus it has a good amount of fiber (about 4 grams per 2 slices). Whole Foods has a notoriously good store brand and this bread is no exception! Overall, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, even comparing it to regular gluten-full bread.
- Ingredients: Water, Modified Tapioca Starch, Cornstarch, Potato Starch, Brown Rice Flour, Sunflower Seed Oil, Whole Teff, Psyllium Husk, Cane Sugar, Raisin Juice Concentrate, Dextrose, Whole Millet, Amaranth Flour, Yeast, Red Quinoa, Modified Cellulose, Pea Fiber, Distilled White Vinegar, Sea Salt, Powdered Egg Whites, Rice Bran, Cultured Cane Sugar, Cellulose Gum
(affiliate link)
Best White Bread: Schar, Artisan Baker White Bread, Certified Gluten Free
- Cost: $17.66 for a 2-pack ($0.63/oz)
- Amazon Rating: 4.3 out of 5
- Dietitian’s Review: This is a great option if you are looking for a replacement for a typical slice of white bread. Personally, Schar has consistently been my favorite gluten-free bread brand when it comes to taste. Even though it’s white bread, it still contains 5 grams of fiber per 2 slices of bread, which is great. The brand also supports the Celiac Disease Foundation, which is amazing and is fortified with B vitamins and minerals.
- Ingredients: Water, Rice Starch, Sourdough (Water, Rice, Flour), Corn Starch, Agave Syrup, Sunflower Oil, Soy Protein, Modified Cellulose, Phylum Seed Husks (Vegetable Fiber), Guar Gum, Millet Flour, Yeast, Sugar, Quinoa Flour, Salt, Citrus Fiber, Honey, Calcium Citrate, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine, Riboflavin
(affiliate link)
Best Rated: Canyon Bakehouse 7 Grain San Juan Bread, Gluten-Free
- Cost: $7.99 ($0.44/oz)
- Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Dietitian’s Review: This gluten-free bread has incredible ratings, higher than any other gluten-free bread I could find. It only contains 2 grams of fiber per 2 slices, which isn’t amazing, but honestly not too bad. Many reviews claim this is the best gluten-free bread they have tried. But, they are rather small pieces, so that is something to consider.
- Ingredients: Water, Brown Rice Flour, Tapioca Flour, Whole Grain Sorghum Flour, Organic Agave Syrup, Xanthan Gum, Whole Grain Millet, Cultured Rice Flour, Whole Grain Teff, Organic Cane Sugar, Whole Grain Quinoa, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Whole Grain Amaranth, Sugarcane Molasses, Eggs, Organic Sustainable Palm Fruit Oil, Sea Salt, Yeast, Whole Grain Buckwheat Flour, Enzymes
(affiliate link)
Best High Fiber: Udi’s Gluten Free Delicious Soft Sandwich Bread, Ancient Grain Omega
- Cost: $4.99 ($0.35/oz)
- Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Dietitian’s Review: Udi’s is one of the first companies I saw making gluten-free bread back in the day (about 10 years ago). Since they have been in the business for a long time, they’ve also had a long time to perfect the gluten-free slice. One thing I really love about this bread is that it is high in fiber, about 6 grams per 2 slices. Since switching to a gluten-free lifestyle can lead to lower fiber intake, this bread is a great option.
- Ingredients: Water, Tapioca Starch, Brown Rice Flour, Egg Whites, Resistant Corn Starch, Canola Oil, Flax Seed, Cane Sugar Syrup, Chia Seed, Flaxseed, Yeast, Citrus Fiber, Dried Cane Syrup, Inulin, Rice Bran, Salt, Dry Molasses, Pea Protein, Gum (Xanthan Gum, Sodium Alginate, Guar Gum), Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Cultured Brown Rice, Brown Rice and Enzymes
(affiliate link)
Best Bread Mix: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix
- Cost: $24.36 for 19 servings ($0.38/oz)
- Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Dietitian’s Review: Let’s be honest, freshly baked bread is 100 times better than store bought bread. And this is true for gluten-free breads as well. Bob’s Red Mill is known for their amazing baking products, and this is no exception. The ratings for this product are great as well.
- Ingredients: Whole Grain Sorghum Flour, Potato Starch, Cornstarch, Pea Protein Powder, Tapioca Flour, Sugar, Xanthan Gum, Sea Salt, Guar Gum. Yeast Packet: Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid
(affiliate link)
Best Grain-Free Bread Mix: Simple Mills Almond Flour Baking Mix, Gluten Free
- Cost: $7.24 for 12 servings ($0.70/oz)
- Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Dietitian’s Review: Simple Mills does a great job keeping their ingredient lists as simple as possible. While simple doesn’t necessarily equal healthier, this grain free bread mix is a great option if you are looking for a delicious and nutritious gluten-free bread. The main ingredients in this bread are almond flour and arrowroot.
- Ingredients: Almond Flour, Arrowroot, Flax Meal, Tapioca, Sea Salt, Baking Soda
(affiliate link)
Best Tortilla: Mission Gluten Free Spinach Herb Tortilla Wraps
- Cost: $4.49 for 6 tortillas ($0.43/oz)
- Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Dietitian’s Review: Mission is known for their tortillas, which is probably why they did such a great job perfecting the gluten-free tortilla! One tortilla has 6 grams of protein, which is amazing. This product is great if you want to switch it up and go for a wrap instead of a sandwich. There are some concerns about hydrogenated oil in this product, but as a Registered Dietitian I would like to say that this is not something to stress over. Partially hydrogenated oils are what to worry about and they are banned in the US.
- Ingredients: Water, Modified Food Starch, Rice Flour, Pea Protein, Resistant Corn Starch, Vegetable Shortening (Interesterified and Hydrogenated Soybean Oils), Potato Extract, Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Sucralose, Sugar, Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Monoglycerides, Seasoning (Spinach Powder, Onion Powder, Spices, Garlic Powder, Sunflower Oil, Yellow 5 Aluminum Lake, Blue 1 Aluminum Lake, and Natural Flavor), Dextrose, Calcium Propionate (to Preserve Freshness), Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Tapioca Flour, Millet Flour, Fumaric Acid, Inulin, Sorbic Acid (to Preserve Freshness)
(affiliate link)
How to make gluten-free bread taste better
Growing up, my brother was gluten-free, so I have seen every trick in the book to make gluten-free eating more enjoyable.
The first (and most important) tip is to always toast your bread. It’s so much better toasted and really helps reduce the grainy and dry texture.
Next, really dress up your sandwiches. Add condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard. This will help reduce the dryness of the bread. Also adding some fresh vegetables like lettuce and tomato or melting some cheese on top can help.
Is Ezekial bread gluten-free?
Ezekiel bread is flour-free but it is not gluten-free. It contains a mix of wheat, barely, millet, lentils, soybeans and spelt.
Wheat, barley and spelt all contain gluten. Remember, gluten is a protein found in wheat products. It can also be found in rye and farro, along with several other grains.
If you are eating a gluten-free diet, always check labels to see if the ingredient list contains a gluten-containing food. Many gluten-free products have a gluten-free label on them as well.
Is sourdough bread ok for gluten intolerance?
Sourdough bread should not be consumed if you have celiac disease or a wheat allergy. But, if you have an intolerance, sourdough may be tolerated.
As mentioned earlier, your intolerance to gluten-containing products is likely an intolerance to fructans, a class of carbohydrates, as opposed to gluten.
If you think you have a fructan intolerance, consider working with a dietitian. They can help step you through an elimination diet if necessary to see what your triggers are.
Luckily, sourdough is rather low in fructans compared to regular bread. Whole wheat and white sourdough should be tolerated well if you are sensitive to fructans.
Does toasting bread reduce gluten?
Gluten cannot be destroyed by toasting bread unfortunately. Remember, gluten is a protein found in wheat products, it’s not a bacteria that can be killed with heat.
Instead, if you have celiac or are avoiding gluten for other reasons, it’s best to avoid gluten altogether by choosing gluten-free products.
I think I have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, what should I do?
If you are having digestive issues after consuming gluten-containing foods, it’s best to work with your doctor to see if you have celiac disease or an intolerance.
There are several tests your doctor will conduct to see if you have celiac disease, including blood tests and an intestinal biopsy.
If these come back negative, then I recommend getting referred to a dietitian to conduct a food journal analysis and an elimination diet is necessary. It’s possible you are intolerant to a group of carbohydrates found in wheat products called “fructans”.
While it may be frustrating to get back a negative celiac disease (sometimes we just need an answer to what’s been causing us pain), know that it is ultimately good news. Celiac disease can cause immense damage to your intestines and can potentially lead to other autoimmune issues.
Gluten intolerance is the better condition to have, though it can be just as painful and uncomfortable.
