Bread, pasta, beer — these are a few of my favorite edibles. So picture my predicament when I moved in with my partner who has celiac disease and can’t share kitchen space with anyone who consumes gluten.
Over the past two years, I’ve adapted to a mostly gluten-free way of eating. (I still indulge in beer sometimes: nobody’s flawless.) The toughest change has been switching to gluten-free bread, which, besides being drier and more fragile than conventional bread, is notoriously pricey.
To cut expenses, my partner and I often make gluten-free loaves in our bread machine, but that can take more time than our schedules permit. During hectic stretches, we turn to the frozen or natural-food sections at Kroger, Trader Joe’s and Costco to locate a loaf that’s at least passable — because we’ve lowered our standards considerably.
We’ve sampled a lot of gluten-free bread brands over the last couple of years. They’re far from uniform. While the six below aren’t flawless, they’ve been the most successful when it comes to flavor, texture and not disintegrating into crumbs when you pick up a slice.
A brief tip from experience: gluten-free bread almost always benefits from being lightly toasted. If you’re not desperate to eat your sandwich immediately, pop the bread in the toaster for at least 30 seconds first. Toasting helps minimize crumbling and eases some of the pronounced dryness.
6. BFree Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread
I recently picked up this loaf by accident, mistaking it for a bag of Udi’s (more on Udi’s later) because it was shelved right where Udi’s used to be at my Costco — apparently I hadn’t been paying enough attention. The happy mistake turned into a worthwhile discovery.
BFree Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread isn’t remarkable in flavor. What stands out is how well it holds together — and the size of the slices. These pieces are so sturdy they could probably withstand a beating, and they’re large enough to contain the massive, messy sandwiches I’m prone to assemble when left to my own devices in the kitchen.
Cost: $5.99
Where I buy it: Costco
Rating: 5 slices out of 10
5. Rudi’s Gluten-Free Multigrain Sandwich Bread
Two of the more ubiquitous gluten-free loaves have very similar names: Rudi’s and Udi’s. Rudi’s is, in my estimation, the inferior of the two — but only slightly. You can find it in nearly every grocery store (which is more than I can say for some of the superior brands), yet it doesn’t offer much excitement and the slices are on the small side.
The loaf tends to crumble and often requires a sip of water between bites to help it slide down. Still, Rudi’s comes in several varieties, like cinnamon raisin, deli-style and hearty fiber.
Cost: $5.29
Where I buy it: Kroger
Rating: 6 slices out of 10
4. Udi’s Gluten Free White Sandwich Bread
Beyond their similar names, Udi’s and Rudi’s are nearly the same in taste and mouthfeel. Udi’s succeeds where Rudi’s does — in availability and variety. That said, it’s not the most reliably crumble-resistant bread. The slices are petite and the flavor is unremarkable. Overall, Udi’s fares a bit better than Rudi’s and tends to be slightly less dry.
Cost: $5.49
Where I buy it: Kroger (also stocked at Costco)
Rating: 6 slices out of 10
3. Kinnikinnick Gluten Free Multigrain Bread
I’m still unsure how to pronounce this brand, but I grab it whenever I spot it on the shelf — it’s that good. Unfortunately, it’s not consistently available at the stores I frequent.
Kinnikinnick’s gluten-free loaf doesn’t offer the breadth of varieties that Udi’s and Rudi’s do, but it’s nearly indistinguishable from conventional bread. Sure, it might not taste exactly like your everyday slice, but you could easily fool someone who isn’t paying very close attention — like I did when I was grocery shopping. The best part? It’s a bit less expensive than some of the more widely found loaves.
Cost: $4.49
Where I buy it: Kroger (when it’s in stock)
Rating: 8 slices out of 10
2. Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Whole Grain Bread
Who doesn’t enjoy Trader Joe’s? They offer inexpensive, freshly cut flowers, budget-friendly bottles of wine, an impressive beer assortment and quality organic items. More importantly, they carry a genuinely good gluten-free loaf. It’s airy and soft, a pleasant contrast to the cardboard-like texture common with many GF breads.
TJ’s version is even more convincing than Kinnikinnick’s: this tastes like real, gluten-containing bread. And, like Kinnikinnick, it’s cheaper than Udi’s and Rudi’s. The takeaway? Don’t assume the most recognizable brands are the best — they’re pricier and often less tasty.
Cost: $4.49
Where I buy it: Trader Joe’s
Rating: 8.5 slices out of 10
1. La Brea Gluten Free Sliced White Artisan Sandwich Bread
No gluten-free loaf has yet achieved perfection in my book, but La Brea’s option comes remarkably close. Oddly, I haven’t heard much chatter about it. It felt like our little secret until now — and here I am revealing it.
What makes La Brea so impressive? The bread is thinly sliced, so even when you purchase a half loaf (many GF breads are sold this way, which is frustrating), it feels like you have enough for a full loaf of sandwiches. It’s tasty, light and doesn’t crumble while you assemble or eat your sandwich. From flavor to texture to value, it’s an outstanding gluten-free bread pick.
Cost: $4.99
Where I buy it: Kroger
Rating: 9 slices out of 10
Tired of common gluten-free loaves? Try baking these special holiday breads at home, no matter the season.
