What Company Makes the Best Gluten-Free Bread?

According to recent studies, the gluten-free bread market is rapidly expanding, with manufacturers continually innovating to improve products that mimic conventional bread in taste and texture. For individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, determining what company makes the best gluten-free bread is a top priority for satisfying sandwiches and toast.

Quick Summary

This article compares top companies producing gluten-free bread, evaluating each based on taste, texture, size, and suitability for various uses like sandwiches and toast.

Key Points

• Canyon Bakehouse offers a great all-purpose GF bread with a superior chew and taste, though slices are often smaller.

• Little Northern Bakehouse is the top choice for large, sturdy sandwiches due to its wide slices and soft texture.

• Schär provides widely available, shelf-stable options that are good for quick, untoasted sandwiches but can have a slightly sweeter flavor.

• Freezing and toasting often improves the quality and texture of GF bread, helping to combat its tendency to stale quickly.

• Budget-friendly store brands like Aldi's Live GFree and Sam's Choice offer larger slices and good value, though taste may vary.

• Personal preference is key; experimenting with different brands is the best way to find the perfect gluten-free loaf for your needs.

Top Contenders for the Best Gluten-Free Bread

For many, finding a truly satisfying gluten-free (GF) bread has been a quest filled with disappointment, encountering loaves that are dry, crumbly, or have an unpleasant aftertaste. However, the market has seen significant improvements, with several companies rising to the top through dedication to quality ingredients and baking techniques. While personal preference plays a huge role, consistent favorites often emerge in taste tests and consumer reviews.

Canyon Bakehouse

Canyon Bakehouse consistently ranks high for flavor and texture, with many reviewers noting it tastes the most like traditional wheat bread. The brand uses whole-grain ingredients like sorghum and millet, is free from many common allergens (dairy, nuts, soy), and bakes its products in a dedicated GF facility.

• Pros: Good flavor and chewiness, holds up well for sandwiches and toast. Comes in many varieties, including white, ancient grain, and Hawaiian sweet bread.
• Cons: The slices are often noted as being smaller than conventional bread, which can be a drawback for those making large sandwiches.

Little Northern Bakehouse

This Canadian company has gained a loyal following, especially for its wide-slice loaves, which are a major win for sandwich makers. Little Northern Bakehouse focuses on being vegan and allergen-friendly, using a blend of seeds and grains.

• Pros: Wide, large slices perfect for sandwiches, excellent soft texture, and allergen-free recipes. Vegan-friendly options are a plus for many consumers.
• Cons: Can be more expensive and sometimes requires a trip to a specialized store like Costco for the best price.

Schär

As a large international GF brand, Schär offers a widely available product line that is often sold on the fresh bread aisle rather than frozen. The Artisan Baker varieties are particularly praised for their texture and taste.

• Pros: Good availability, often requires no toasting right out of the package, and the artisan lines are well-regarded for texture and taste.
• Cons: Some consumers find the flavor slightly sweet compared to traditional bread, and experiences with freshness can vary.

Other Highly-Rated Brands

• Three Bakers: Known for a soft, light texture and seeded loaves. It is often found in the freezer section.
• Carbonaut: A newer favorite praised for its excellent texture and toasting ability, though some find the flavor profile less like traditional white bread.
• Rudi's: Offers a classic, chewy, and soft texture, particularly in their homestyle varieties.
• Aldi (Live GFree) & Walmart (Sam's Choice): These store brands offer larger slice sizes at a more budget-friendly price point, though they may not match the taste of premium brands.

Fresh vs. Frozen Gluten-Free Bread

Unlike traditional bread, which loses quality in the freezer, GF bread often benefits from being sold frozen. Many GF companies freeze their bread to preserve freshness, which can be lost more quickly due to the lack of gluten proteins. Thawing and toasting frozen GF bread can often yield better results, offering a crisp crust and soft interior. Storing opened GF bread in the freezer is generally the best way to extend its shelf life.

The Role of Ingredients and Texture

Gluten-free bread relies on a combination of alternative flours and binding agents to replicate the structure of wheat bread. Common ingredients include rice flour, tapioca starch, sorghum flour, and millet flour, with binders like xanthan gum or psyllium husk added to prevent crumbling. The exact ratio of these ingredients determines the final texture, from a light, airy crumb to a denser, more substantial loaf. A recent study even found that modern GF loaves could perform comparably to wheat-based ones in texture tests.

Gluten-Free Bread Comparison Table

Brand	Primary Feature	Best For	Typical Texture	Availability	Notes
Canyon Bakehouse	Overall Flavor/Chewiness	All-purpose, toast, sandwiches	Soft, chewy	Widespread (Fresh/Frozen)	Slices are smaller than conventional bread.
Little Northern Bakehouse	Wide Slice & Texture	Large sandwiches	Light, airy, soft	Many supermarkets (Frozen)	Plant-based, allergen-free.
Schär Artisan Baker	Fresh & Sturdy	Lunch sandwiches (untoasted)	Sturdy, holds together	Widespread (Fresh/Frozen)	Often available on shelf, not just frozen.
Carbonaut	Toasting & Texture	Avocado toast, buttery toast	Very soft, toasts well	Some supermarkets (Frozen)	Some find the flavor profile milder.
Three Bakers	Softness & Seeds	Light sandwiches, toast	Soft, noticeable seeds	Some supermarkets (Frozen)	Can be slightly smaller slices.
Rudi's	Classic Flavor	Sandwiches, traditional taste	Soft, classic bread feel	Some supermarkets (Frozen)	Make sure to check the GF label.
Aldi (Live GFree)	Budget & Size	Toast, basic sandwiches	Varies, can be dry	Aldi stores (Fresh/Frozen)	Large slice size and low cost.

How to Choose the Right Gluten-Free Bread

Choosing the best GF bread depends on your specific needs and preferences. Consider how you plan to use it most often. For robust sandwiches, a brand with a larger, sturdier slice, like Little Northern Bakehouse or Schär, might be ideal. If you prioritize a classic, authentic bread flavor for toast or simple pairings, Canyon Bakehouse is a reliable choice. For those seeking the best value or larger slices on a budget, store brands from Aldi or Walmart can be a good starting point. Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different brands and storage methods. The best GF bread for you might be fresh and ready-to-eat, or it could be a frozen loaf that toasts up perfectly.

Conclusion

While the search for the best gluten-free bread is subjective, companies like Canyon Bakehouse and Little Northern Bakehouse consistently receive high praise for delivering a satisfying eating experience that rivals traditional bread. Canyon Bakehouse excels in flavor and chew, while Little Northern Bakehouse is a winner for sandwich enthusiasts who prefer a wider slice. Schär remains a strong and accessible competitor with its fresh, ready-to-eat options. Ultimately, the best choice depends on balancing factors like taste, texture, size, and price, with the good news being that the quality of GF bread has never been better. Your perfect loaf is out there, and with a little testing, you're sure to find a company that makes your ideal gluten-free bread. To explore the scientific advances behind modern gluten-free baking, you can learn more about research on bread texture ScienceDirect article.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gluten-free bread for sandwiches?

Little Northern Bakehouse is often cited as the best option for sandwiches due to its wide, large slices and soft, durable texture. Canyon Bakehouse is another favorite, though its slices are typically smaller.

Which gluten-free bread tastes most like traditional bread?

Many reviewers point to Canyon Bakehouse as tasting the most like traditional wheat bread, with its pleasant flavor and chewy texture.

Is it better to buy fresh or frozen gluten-free bread?

Most commercial gluten-free bread is sold frozen to extend its shelf life, as it stales more quickly than wheat bread. Storing and toasting from frozen can yield a better texture. Schär is a notable brand that sells a stable, ready-to-eat loaf on the shelf.

Are there any budget-friendly gluten-free bread options?

Yes, store brands like Aldi's 'Live GFree' and Walmart's 'Sam's Choice' offer more affordable gluten-free loaves with larger slices, though opinions on taste and texture vary.

Why is gluten-free bread often dry or crumbly?

Gluten-free bread lacks the gluten protein that provides elasticity and structure in wheat bread. Manufacturers must use binders like xanthan gum or psyllium husk to replicate this, and the balance of these ingredients can affect the final texture.

What is the best gluten-free bread for toast?

Carbonaut is frequently mentioned as one of the best for toasting, delivering a nice, crisp result. Canyon Bakehouse also performs well when toasted.

Where can I find a wider variety of gluten-free bread brands?

While major supermarkets carry popular brands, for a wider selection of premium or smaller-batch brands, you may need to visit specialty stores like Whole Foods or check online retailers.