So I know what you’re thinking, if Oprah can have and LOVE bread, why can’t I?

Fret no more, there are some decent Gluten Free breads out there, but there are some definite ones to skip. I’ve bought and suffered through them so you don’t have to.

If you’ve ever roamed the grocery aisles and the freezer section, you’ve probably seen there are loads of options all around. Some are great right out of the bag, some need to be toasted and others just need to be tossed in the trash. Now of course, to each their own and you may love one of these options I’ve tried, so feel free to share that in the comments too.

First thing first, prepare for sticker shock because Gluten Free bread will be 3-10x more than your standard loaf of bread and will likely be less slices that are much smaller. It’s the gluten free way of life to cost more for less.

As a note for any readers, I typically by two loafs at a time and immediately freeze one and if I’m out, I’ll put the other in the fridge. If I happen to catch one on sale, I pick it up and put it in the freezer to defrost for a later date. In all of my time, I’ve only ever had one loaf go moldy on me and it was one I got right off the shelf. More on that later…

ONE TO SKIP

RUDI’S – Hole-ier than Swiss Cheese

One of the first brands I ever tried was Rudi’s from a Walmart freezer. The loaf looked great, but the second I took a slice out, it was like I was paying just for crust and holes. I mean, it had more holes than a slice of swiss cheese and I’m thinking in a slice, there was more hole-space than there was actual bread to eat. Not worth the price tag in my opinion. That said, they do have many different flavors now so if you don’t mind holes, go for it.

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

FRANZ – Tastes Great… BUT…

Previously, I would get a few large loaves of Udi’s from Costco in the freezer aisles. Then one day, they left and never came back from to the store so I searched the store and stumbled upon two-packs of Franz white bread near the normal bread not in the refrigerated section.

I was excited to try a new brand that felt pretty springy. I brought it home, put one in the freezer and one in the fridge to use right away. The taste was pretty good and I suspect this bread would make great French toast or garlic bread because of the thickness of the slices. It toasted well too and tasted great with some jam or butter.

HOWEVER, in my 5+ years of being gluten free, this is the only bread that has EVER molded on me. I was about halfway through the loaf and it was mold city within a week. My guess is it spent a lot of time on the standard shelf before it ever got bought and that was definitely not a win for me.

GLUTINO: Decent but Pricey

Typically, you’ll see at least one section of Glutino bread and they do have different products like English muffins or bagel crisps that are a definite win flavor wise. The bread itself tastes pretty good and is fairly soft. It toasts up fairly well, BUT you will want to fully defrost it first. In my case, when part of it is still cold, you over-toast it so some if burnt and some if magically still cold.

Their products tend to be a bit more pricey too so if flavor is more important than price, Glutino might be for you.

WORTHY OF A TRY

UDI’S: A Staple that Changed

Now, one of the first few I tried was Udi’s and of course, they’ll always be the easiest to find in store. After many years, I finally learned how to toast them, cook with them, etc. and I was on my way. It had been my go-to for years.

That said, within the last year or so they changed their recipe. The loaf got wider, but the slices are just a terror to separate. So if you’re a patient person and like loaf right out of the bag, the new version is just for you. I’ll still eat it, but it no longer is in the number one spot on my list.

Typically, this is the most readily available bread with loafs in the freezer area of Walmart, Target, Safeway, WinCo, Grocery Outlet, Raley’s, Sprouts, etc. If you can buy bread there, you likely can find a pack of Udi’s there too.

Canyon Bakehouse: A New Favorite with a LOT of Options

A new favorite of mine is Canyon Bakehouse. The bread is edible out of the bag and a decent loaf with around 14-16 slices. In my opinion, it’s soft to touch and toasts really well.

The slices themselves are unbelievably not full of holes. HONESTLY I HAVEN’T SEEN A HOLE IN MY LAST THREE LOAFS. I WAS SHOCKED.

AS AN ANNECDOTAL BONUS FOR YOU: I accidentally left an end piece in the toaster the other day and it hardened really well (LIKE REALLY REALLY HARD) so I think it would make great croutons or breadcrumbs.

Locally, I find this loaf at Safeway, Walmart, Target and WinCo in or around the frozen bread section. I have seen online that they have a GF Hawaiian Roll flavored sliced bread. The day I find this may be a game changer, but alas, it has escaped me thus far.

SCHAR: Best Kept and Widely Available

So you’re in the normal Gluten Free section of your grocery store and you see a lot of yellow labeled, clear packaged plastic bread options. I’m talking, sliced bread, buns, rolls, etc. One day, I’ll write a post on this brand in general because their packaged snacks are great. They have cookies, graham crackers, breadsticks and more.

As for the bread, the slices are pretty small, but they’re soft, toast great and I have yet to see a hole at all. The bread is vacuumed sealed inside of the pack so I think it keeps pretty well. If I truly run out and I’m just at the store, I’ll just pick up a loaf and put it right in the fridge to eat right away.

All in all, if you find a loaf you love, stick with it and keep buying it locally. This lets your grocer know that you want it and they’ll keep stocking it. Here’s to the sandwiches and the toast in your future!