What Breads Are Gluten Free?

Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye, and it’s responsible for giving bread its elasticity and chewy texture. However, for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause uncomfortable symptoms, including digestive issues and inflammation. This is why many people choose to avoid gluten-containing foods, including most traditional breads.

Fortunately, there are many gluten-free bread options available that allow you to enjoy this dietary staple without sacrificing taste or texture. Gluten-free breads are made using alternative flours such as rice, almond, sorghum, teff, millet, cassava, buckwheat, amaranth, and pure corn. These flours lack gluten, making them safe for people who need to avoid this protein.

When shopping for gluten-free bread, it’s important to read the ingredient label carefully. Look for breads that are explicitly labeled “gluten-free” and check for any possible cross-contamination or hidden sources of gluten. Gluten-free bread options are widely available in grocery stores and can be homemade using various gluten-free flour blends to suit different dietary preferences and flavor profiles.

Key Takeaways

• Gluten-free bread is any loaf that's made from flour free of ingredients, which contain gluten.
• Gluten is a sticky protein found in certain grains and is what binds the dough together.
• Gluten-free bread is available from retail stores, bakeries, and online retailers.

Do All Breads Have Gluten?

Not all breads have gluten. Flours that contain gluten include white and whole grain wheat, barley, rye, malt, triticale, spelt, etc. The list of ingredients, making up the bread, determines whether it contains gluten. Bread made from wheat has the highest gluten amount. All sorts of food contain gluten, including the baked goods, listed below :

• Bread
• Bread rolls & buns
• Pizza bases
• Bagels
• Biscuits
• Tortillas
• Pasta
• Cakes
• Crackers
• Cookies

Individuals with gluten intolerance or sensitivity to gluten must eliminate gluten products from their diet, as gluten can have adverse effects on the body. Upon consumption, gluten reacts with the body's immune system causing an attack on the small intestine lining. The response hinders nutrient absorption that can lead to all sorts of health issues and general discomfort.

Which Breads Are Naturally Gluten Free?

Gluten-free bread can be made from different naturally gluten-free flours, such as:

• Rice flour
• Sorghum flour
• Buckwheat flour
• Teff flour
• Millet flour
• Cassava (Tapioca) flour
• Coconut flour
• Amaranth flour
• Almond flour

Oats are also gluten-free but can be cross-contaminated during packaging. Gluten-free loaves differ in taste, texture, and appearance depending on the flour used in the dough mixture. The bread contains hydrocolloids like guar and xanthan gum to enhance its texture.

Related: What Chips Are Gluten-Free? Make Your Own at Home

Gluten-Free White Bread Options

Most white breads are made of all-purpose wheat flour, hence, it’s not gluten-free. Still, there are some options for white types of bread that are free of gluten. Instead of wheat flour, they are made of flour from gluten-free grains.

Gluten-free white bread options can be found in certain retail stores and bakeries. In addition, you can make it yourself at home.

Ingredients of gluten-free white bread include:

• Tapioca starch
• Brown rice flour
• Potato starch

Some gluten-free white breads available on the market include:

• Schar Gluten-Free Artisan Baker White Bread. This artisan baker white bread is gluten-free and a best seller. The bread boasts a perfect texture.

• ALDI's liveGfree Wide Pan Gluten Free White Bread. The bread uses a gluten-free tapioca, potato, cornstarch, and rice flour blend.

Sourdough Bread

Individuals with gluten intolerance symptoms can tolerate sourdough bread because the methods used to make it break down the gluten. Usually, the rising ingredient in sourdough bread is fermented rye flour. So, sourdough bread can be classed as low-gluten type of bread and can be easily digested by persons, sensitive to gluten.

Here are some brands of sourdough bread that are safe for persons with gluten intolerance:

• Bread Srsly Classic Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread
• Young Kobras Original Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread

Related: How Long Does Gluten Stay in Your System?

Gluten-Free Rye Bread Options

Rye bread is not suitable for individuals following a gluten-free diet because it contains secalin, a type of gluten protein that can trigger adverse reactions in gluten-sensitive individuals or those with celiac disease. Traditional rye bread, made from rye flour, contains gluten and should be avoided.

However, for those craving the rich taste and texture of rye, there are gluten-free rye-style bread options available both online and in select stores. These gluten-free alternatives are crafted with ingredients like sorghum flour, millet flour, and buckwheat to replicate the traditional flavor without the harmful effects of gluten.

Gluten-free rye-style bread options undergo rigorous testing to ensure they contain less than five parts per million (ppm) of gluten, making them safe for those on a strict gluten-free diet.

Here are some popular gluten-free rye-style bread options:

• Three Bakers Gluten-Free Rye-Style Bread. Ingredients: Whole grain sorghum flour, whole grain millet flour, water, honey, yeast, whole grain corn flour, whole grain brown rice flour, flax seeds, sea salt, caraway seeds, and xanthan gum.

• Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Deli Rye Bread. Ingredients: Brown rice flour, tapioca flour, whole grain sorghum flour, xanthan gum, extra virgin olive oil, eggs, egg whites, dried buckwheat sour (buckwheat, quinoa, starter culture), organic agave syrup, whole caraway seed, ground caraway seed, cane sugar, sea salt, yeast, cultured brown rice flour, whole black caraway seed, vinegar (organic cane sugar vinegar), and enzymes.

These options provide the same wholesome experience of traditional rye bread while adhering to gluten-free dietary restrictions. Make sure to read the labels carefully and choose products tested for gluten content to ensure safety and enjoyment.

Gluten-Free Potato Bread Options

Potatoes are gluten-free, however, potato bread isn't necessarily gluten-free. The reason is that most recipes add a combination of flours in addition to the potatoes used. However, O'Doughs Multigrain Sandwich bread is one of the best gluten-free options. They are long bread buns made from gluten-free flour and are perfect for making your favorite sandwich. Its ingredients include potato flour, tapioca flour, flax, and chickpea flour.

What Breads Are Best for a Gluten-Free Diet?

Finding the best gluten-free bread depends on your taste, nutrition needs, and texture preferences. The popular gluten-free bread options below were selected, based on the following criteria:

• Nutritional content: The bread offers a source of vital nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals.
• Quality of the ingredients: The products contain minimal artificial additives.

Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-free Breads

Gluten-free bread from Canyon Bakehouse can be found in most grocery stores or purchased online via the brand's site and major retailers like Amazon. The brand produces a variety of sliced bread made from ingredients, such as brown rice, sorghum, and sunflower seeds.

Happy Campers Gluten-free Bread

Happy Campers' baked products are certified by the Gluten-free Certification Organization. The Oregon-based bakery bakes hemp-flavored gluten-free bread without eggs, dairy, soy, and nuts. The bread lacks added sugar or any genetically modified organisms. Its ingredients include quinoa, millet, sorghum, hemp seeds, buckwheat, and amaranth.

Schar Gluten-Free Bread

Schar is an artisanal bakery based in the Italian Alps. It produces entirely gluten-free bread while incorporating ingredients like millet and quinoa. Its bread is a quality product for persons with special conditions.

Best Gluten-Free Bread Recipe

An ideal gluten-free bread recipe offers easy steps to deliver bread with amazing texture and taste. Do you want to experiment and make a homemade gluten-free bread? Here are step-by-step instructions for making your very own gluten-free bread:

Ingredients: Gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking powder, instant yeast, honey, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, warm water, salt, and egg whites.

Directions:

1: Add gluten-free flour, baking powder, and instant yeast to a large bowl. Combine the ingredients by stirring thoroughly.

2: Add olive oil, cider vinegar, honey, and warm water to the flour mixture. Mix the ingredients thoroughly for about 1 minute.

3: Add salt and egg whites to the dough, and then mix until it looks like a thick cake batter.

4: Spray your bread tray with gluten-free cooking spray and then pour the dough into the greased pan

5: Spray the plastic wrap and cover the top of the pan. Allow the bread to rise for about 30 minutes.

6: Move the oven rack to the middle. Then, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

7: Place the bread pan in the oven for 30 minutes until it's golden brown

8: Allow the bread to cool in the tray for 10 minutes. Then remove it and place on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips for Baking the Best Gluten-free Bread

• Always use room-temperature ingredients
• Always use fresh yeast
• Don't add any extra xanthan gum to your flour if it already has it
• Ensure to use gluten-free non-stick cooking spray to grease your tray
• Bake the bread on the middle rack
• Gluten-free flours tend to brown less than wheat flour, so don't judge readiness on a golden color alone

Related: What Cereals Are Gluten Free? From Oatmeal to Cornflakes

FAQs on Gluten-Free Breads

Is Sourdough Bread Gluten-free?

Sourdoughs are baked using wheat. Hence, the bread isn't made with gluten-free flour. However, people with gluten intolerance can tolerate sourdough because the methods used to make sourdough break down the gluten into more digestable forms.

Which Is the Best Bread for Gluten Sensitivity?

The best bread for gluten sensitivity is a gluten-free sorghum or millet flour bread.

What Bread Can You Eat if You Are Gluten Intolerant?

If you have a diagnosed intolerance to gluten, eliminate the protein by eating gluten-free bread. Alternatively, you can eat low-gluten sourdough bread, as it is the safer option compared to conventionally produced bread. However, check with your physician about it first.

Related: What Liquors Are Gluten-free? A Detailed Guide

Final Thoughts

Gluten-free bread offers a tasty and nutritious alternative for those avoiding gluten, made from naturally gluten-free grains and flours. Whether you prefer store-bought options or enjoy baking your own, maintaining a gluten-free diet doesn’t mean compromising on flavor. If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to enjoy delicious gluten-free meals, consider CookUnity’s prepared meal delivery service. Our gluten-free dishes are crafted by top chefs and delivered fresh, so you can enjoy healthy, balanced meals without the stress of meal prep. Try CookUnity and save 50% today!

References: Healthline, Tasting Table, Medical News Today