What are the ingredients in Pepperidge Farm whole grain bread?

November 19, 2025 •

2 min read

Pepperidge Farm bakes a variety of whole grain bread products, which means the specific ingredients in Pepperidge Farm whole grain bread will vary depending on the particular loaf you choose. While many varieties share core components like whole wheat flour, water, and yeast, others feature unique combinations of seeds, grains, and sweeteners to achieve their distinct flavor and texture.

Quick Summary

Pepperidge Farm's whole grain bread formulas are not identical across all products. Each variety, including 100% Whole Wheat, 15 Grain, and Sprouted Grain, has a specific ingredient list, though all share a foundation of whole wheat flour, water, and yeast. Specific sweeteners, grains, and preservatives differ.

Key Points

Not Uniform: The ingredients differ significantly between various Pepperidge Farm whole grain bread products.
Core Ingredients: Most loaves contain whole wheat flour, water, sugar, yeast, and wheat gluten as standard components.
Variety-Specific Additions: Ingredients like sunflower seeds, flaxseed, cracked wheat, or sprouted grains are added to create specific textures and flavors.
Allergen Warning: All Pepperidge Farm whole grain breads contain the allergens wheat, milk, and soy.
No High Fructose Corn Syrup: The company does not use high fructose corn syrup in its whole grain loaves.
Function of Additives: Emulsifiers like DATEM and preservatives like calcium propionate are included to ensure freshness and a desirable texture.

Core and Foundational Ingredients

Most Pepperidge Farm whole grain breads are built upon a foundation of several key ingredients.

Essential Components

Whole Wheat Flour is the primary ingredient, providing structure and nutrition, combined with Water to form the dough. Sweeteners like Sugar, Brown Sugar, Molasses, or Honey are used to activate yeast and balance flavor. Yeast helps the bread rise, while Wheat Gluten improves dough elasticity and structure. Vegetable oils, such as Soybean and/or Canola Oil, contribute to a moist crumb. Preservatives like Calcium Propionate and Sorbic Acid are added for freshness, and emulsifiers such as Monoglycerides, DATEM, and Soy Lecithin enhance texture and shelf life.

Ingredients by Whole Grain Variety

Different Pepperidge Farm whole grain varieties incorporate unique seeds and grains.

100% Whole Wheat

This loaf primarily features Whole Wheat Flour and Cracked Wheat, contributing to a chewy texture.

15 Grain

This variety is known for its blend of seeds and grains. You can find a full list of the 15 grains and seeds in the referenced document.

Soft Sprouted Grain

This loaf uses Sprouted Whole Wheat Flour and Oats with a sweetener mix of sugar, invert sugar, and molasses.

Comparison of Popular Varieties


Ingredient	100% Whole Wheat	15 Grain	Soft Sprouted Grain
Flour	Whole Wheat Flour	Whole Wheat Flour	Sprouted Whole Wheat Flour, Whole Wheat Flour
Special Grains	Cracked Wheat	Sunflower Seeds, Wheat Berries, Flaxseed, Oats, Barley, Rye, Triticale, Corn Grits, Buckwheat, Millet, Amaranth, Brown Rice, Quinoa, Sorghum, Spelt	Oats, Wheat
Sweeteners	Sugar	Sugar	Brown Sugar (Sugar, Invert Sugar, Molasses), Molasses
Oils	Soybean and/or Canola Oil	Soybean and/or Canola Oil	Soybean Oil
Fiber Source	Sugarcane Fiber	Sugarcane Fiber	N/A
Key Texture Element	Cracked Wheat	Multi-Grain Blend	Sprouted Flour, Oats

Allergen and Added Ingredient Information

Pepperidge Farm whole grain breads contain Wheat, Milk (Whey), and Soy. Many additives are present in amounts of "2% or less".

What About High Fructose Corn Syrup?

Pepperidge Farm confirms their whole grain loaves do not contain high fructose corn syrup. Sweetness comes from other sources like sugar, molasses, or honey.

Nutritional Impact of Added Ingredients

While whole grain bread is healthy, added sugars and oils affect the nutritional profile. The high fiber and protein in 15 Grain are due to its diverse seeds and grains. Consumers should check the nutrition panel.

Conclusion

The ingredients in Pepperidge Farm whole grain bread vary by variety, each formulated for distinct flavor, texture, and nutrition. Key ingredients include whole wheat flour, water, yeast, and sweeteners, with added seeds and grains differentiating loaves like 15 Grain and Soft Sprouted Grain. Always review the product label for specific ingredients and allergen information. For more details, visit the Pepperidge Farm website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Pepperidge Farm states that its whole grain loaves are made without high fructose corn syrup.

All Pepperidge Farm whole grain bread varieties contain wheat, milk (whey), and soy.

No, the breads are not vegan. The ingredient whey, a milk product, is used in all their whole grain varieties.

The main difference is the addition of numerous seeds and grains like sunflower seeds, flaxseed, and quinoa in the 15 Grain variety, while the 100% Whole Wheat loaf primarily uses cracked wheat.

Emulsifiers are used to improve the dough's mixing properties, enhance the texture of the finished bread, and extend its shelf life.

Added sugars, like cane sugar or molasses, are used to provide food for the yeast during fermentation, which helps the bread rise. They also help balance the flavor of the whole wheat flour.

Yes, some thin-sliced versions, like the 100% Whole Wheat Thin Sliced, may have slight variations in their ingredient list compared to their standard counterparts.

Sprouted whole wheat flour is made from whole wheat kernels that have begun to germinate, or sprout, before being milled into flour. This process can alter the bread's flavor and nutritional properties.