Whether it’s toast for breakfast or a sandwich for lunch, most of us enjoy eating bread on a daily basis. As a result, having to give up regular bread might just be one of the hardest parts of going gluten-free! While it may have been hard to find a decent gluten-free loaf in the past, many of the major supermarkets are getting in on the gluten-free action and there's now plenty of products for you to choose from if you fancy a slice or two.
Our detailed guide will help you to find a gluten-free bread recipe that you'll love and that's good for you too. We'll also provide you with plenty of healthy product recommendations to buy online at Amazon, Tesco, and ASDA, from brands like Schär, Warburtons, and Genius. We've included everything from sourdough rolls to fruity loaves, and even vegan options so you'll be sure to find the perfect delicious bite here!
Quick List - Top Gluten-Free Breads
mybest UK specialist Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.
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Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients to lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through better nutrition. She specialises in helping busy parents improve their diets without overwhelming them with information, and get them back on track so that the whole family can benefit.
Naturally gluten-free grain and legume flours such as millet, quinoa, rice, chickpea, almond, and buckwheat are commonly used in place of regular flour to make gluten-free breads. To achieve the "traditional" bread-like consistency, more than one of these flours may be mixed together.
But another ingredient is needed to bind these ingredients together like gluten does to get the right softness and texture, and that something is usually a combination of the flours mentioned above and eggs. For vegan gluten-free bread however, gums (xanthan and guar) and starches (tapioca, corn, potato) are great binder alternatives.
We know that it can be quite difficult to find gluten-free alternatives to your favourite snacks. To help you out, we've listed our top 10 favourite gluten-free snacks here!
Nothing beats a slice of fluffy white bread slathered with butter or jam, it's so tasty! Unfortunately though, it's generally the least healthy bread option as it's much lower in fibre than wholegrain alternatives.
While the carbohydrate level of a gluten-free white loaf might not be as high as that of an ordinary white loaf, it does still tend to be made from highly refined ingredients that aren't very nutritious. Still, the occasional slice of white bread won't do you any harm if you view it as a treat rather than a staple in your diet.
White bread is always the least nutritious bread available, regardless of whether it is made with gluten or is gluten-free. Gluten-free white bread is also made with many preservatives and has little to no nutritional value compared to whole grain options. And so, don’t fall into the trap of believing that white bread made without gluten is more healthy than regular white bread. It should still only be eaten occasionally!
Brown or wholemeal gluten-free bread is a healthier option overall. It contains lots of fibre, meaning it's great for digestion and gut health. It also contains complex carbohydrates, which are released more slowly than those found in white bread, helping you to feel fuller for longer.
Plus, you won’t get a rapid spike in your energy levels - there's nothing worse than an energy slump after lunch! Brown bread has a nuttier flavour too, so it tastes delicious with savoury spreads or alongside soups and casseroles.
I recommend choosing either a brown or whole wheat option when it comes to grains, and this is true even with gluten-free options. When you select gluten-free brown bread, you’re consuming more fibre, and a diet higher in fibre feeds your good gut bacteria and optimises your overall health, including a stronger immune system and a reduction in inflammation.
Depending on the variety, seeded bread can contain a mixture of grains such as millet, linseed, or oats. These may be scattered on top of the loaf or distributed throughout it, adding to the flavour and the nutritional value of the bread. Not only do seeded loaves offer extra fibre and more complex carbohydrates, but they provide healthy fats and omega oils too. Plus, the seeds add a bit of textured crunch to your munch!
Adding seeds to your gluten-free loaf is an amazing way to add even more nutrients to the loaves that you are consuming. Many seeds are sources of healthy fats and omega 3s (like chia seeds), and fibre and iron. It’s essential to eat a diet with many sources of healthy fats because it helps contribute to healthy heart health, lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, and fights inflammation.
There’s more to bread than just white and brown - luckily, gluten-free versions of artisan loaves are available too! Sourdough is a popular artisan-style bread that has a distinctively sharp flavour due to the fermentation process it goes through.
Tiger bread is another delicious option that's crusty on the outside with a fluffy middle. Chewy ciabatta and sweet fruit bread might also tickle your fancy. If you love your bread and want to explore a variety of artisan styles, check out our top 10 later on for some scrumptious suggestions!
Check out our best gluten-free biscuits!
Removing gluten from bread certainly does not limit the possibilities of flavours and varieties. You can easily find your favourite bread with a gluten-free option these days due to the rise in the popularity of gluten-free products.
Sliced loaves offer the utmost convenience - there's no need to get your knife and chopping board out each time you want a bite of bread. Making a sandwich is much quicker when your bread is pre-sliced, which you’ll particularly appreciate if you're a parent with several hungry mouths to feed!
There are a few downsides though - some brands slice their loaves thinner than you might like, and sliced loaves can also dry out faster than unsliced ones so you'll need to use them up quickly.
When it comes to nutrition, there really is no difference between sliced or unsliced loaves. The benefit of sliced bread is that it is ready to be consumed straight away, which comes in handy when preparing a meal. In my experience, the easier it is to prepare a healthy meal, the more likely that you are to eat it and make healthier options regularly.
Pre-sliced loaves will vary in thickness, depending on the brand. So, if you'd prefer to have control over the thickness of your bread, it’s worth choosing an unsliced loaf instead. An unsliced loaf offers you flexibility too - you can alternate between thin and thick slices depending on what you feel like each day.
Unsliced loaves will also stay fresher and retain their moisture for longer, so they're better value for money overall. Furthermore, artisan loaves such as tiger bread and sourdough tend to be sold unsliced so that they can cut to your preferred thickness.
Unsliced loaves are beneficial because you can then slice the bread as thick as you prefer. This can make for tastier meals, but it is not necessarily the best for portion sizes. You are more likely to overconsume calories and carbohydrates when you do big slices, and so if you are following a calorie-controlled diet, it may be best to select sliced bread.
When you fancy a burger or some bread for dipping in soup or gravy, a gluten-free roll is ideal. Compact and easy to hold, rolls are also handy for popping into kids' packed lunches.
Like ordinary rolls, gluten-free options tend to be made from white or brown bread, so you can decide which you prefer the taste of. Rolls also freeze well, so it may be worth keeping a few in your freezer for when you lack the time or energy to go shopping.
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Gluten-free rolls are great family options to have for burgers and sandwiches on the go. When selecting gluten-free rolls, it’s wiser to opt for whole wheat and brown variations over white rolls. Whole grains are complex carbohydrates and are a better energy source than simple carbohydrates (like white rolls) because they slow release and stabilise blood sugar levels.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Warburtons Gluten Free Tiger Artisan Bloomer | ![]() | An Incredibly Moreish Bread That Really Hits the Spot | |
2 | ASDA Free From White Sliced Loaf | ![]() | An Easy Vegan-Friendly Swap for Your Everyday White Sliced | |
3 | ASDA Free From 4 White Rolls | ![]() | Versatile Rolls for Soups, Burgers and More at a Reasonable Price | |
4 | Warburtons Gluten Free White Cob With Sourdough | ![]() | A Firm Artisan Sourdough With Plenty of Flavour | |
5 | Genius Gluten Free Spicy Fruit Loaf | ![]() | Fabulously Fruity and Perfect for an Afternoon Treat | |
6 | Juvela Gluten Free Fresh White Loaf | ![]() | Golden Crust, Delicious Flavour and Delectable Softness, You Wouldn’t Even Know It’s Gluten-Free! | |
7 | Genius Soft Brown Farmhouse | ![]() | Soft, Malty Brown Bread in Large, Thick Slices | |
8 | Schär Gluten Free Wholesome White Loaf | ![]() | A Little Loaf That's Big on Taste and Low in Calories | |
9 | BFree High Fibre Brown Seeded Bloomer | ![]() | Wholesome, Fibre-Rich and Good for Your Gut | |
10 | Schär Brown Ciabatta Rolls | ![]() | Tasty Ciabatta Rolls Perfect for Serving With Dinner |
Warburtons are a leading British bakery brand, producing many of the nation’s favourite loaves on a daily basis, so it's hardly surprising that they’d take our top spot for gluten-free bread too! This scrumptious tiger loaf is a brilliant example of how far gluten-free bread has come - it's almost indistinguishable from an ordinary tiger loaf!
Free from dairy, suitable for vegetarians, and certified Kosher, this superb white loaf will go down a treat in your household. As it's unsliced, you can cut it as thin or as thick as you like, depending on how hungry you are. What more could you want from a gluten-free loaf?
Asda’s gluten-free range includes a wide variety of bread, rolls, wraps, and more. This loaf is free from eggs and milk as well as gluten, so vegans will love it! At less than £2 for over 500g, it's a real steal too.
If you’re looking for a basic white loaf for everyday toast and sandwiches, then this is a fantastic pick. It's not the healthiest option but sometimes you just want a slice of carb-y deliciousness!
These delectable white rolls are perfect for dunking into soup or pairing with a juicy burger. In addition to being suitable for those with a wheat intolerance, they're totally free from milk, eggs, artificial colours, and hydrogenated fat.
Not only are these high in fibre, they are also fortified with iron, calcium, and thiamin. If you’re looking for no-frills bread rolls at a reasonable price, these are just the ticket. Flavourful and versatile, they're a product that you'll always want to keep in your kitchen.
This delightfully savoury sourdough loaf is free from dairy as well as gluten, plus it's certified Halal and Kosher. The firm, floury exterior provides texture while the fluffy white inside will melt in your mouth.
If you’re fed up of eating cardboard masquerading as bread, this is a game-changing gluten-free option. Although it's more expensive than some of our other recommendations, we'd say it's worth spending a bit more for a proper artisan-style loaf.
This wonderfully spicy fruit loaf gives those avoiding gluten the chance to indulge in a sweet treat. Genius, living up to its name, delivers a truly tasty loaf packed full of currants, raisins, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Although it's a bit too sugary to eat every day, if you're looking for a moist and fruity product with no artificial preservatives or dairy, this succulent loaf is sure to please! It's also milk-free, so you can enjoy it even if you are lactose intolerant.
This squeezable-y soft, artisanal white loaf from Juvela is made according to their unique gluten-free recipe that has been perfected for over 25 years. If you're a fan of good sandwiches, this is the loaf you want!
Besides being deliciously coeliac-friendly, it also contains vitamins and minerals such as iron, niacin, thiamin, Vitamin B6, riboflavin, and folic acid which are essential to your diet. Plus, it's a great source of calcium and fibre too.
The Genius brand encompasses a wide range of gluten-free bread and bakery goods, including this soft brown farmhouse loaf. Offering the convenience of a sliced loaf with the high fibre goodness of brown bread, it's a healthy choice that'll make lunch prep easy.
Ideal for toasting or making a hearty sandwich, the malty slices are a decent thickness. At 535g, this is also one of the larger loaves on our list which makes it good value for money if you have a larger household.
Schär is a leading brand in gluten-free food, and this is a high-quality white loaf that tastes incredibly yummy. It's also lactose-free and suitable for vegetarians, but it's sadly not vegan as it contains honey.
At 300g, this is quite a small loaf so it's probably better for consumption by children or people with smaller appetites. It's also rather pricey for the size, which is okay if you only indulge in toast occasionally but won't work for those who want sandwiches often.
This brown seeded loaf is moist, tasty, and contains plenty of fibre, so it's a must-buy if you want to improve your digestive health. Plus, it has added flavour thanks to the sunflower and linseed goodness.
There are nine slices in each 400g loaf, making it best suited for smaller households. Sadly though, it's rather expensive for the amount that you get and this brand can be difficult to get hold of.
Combining both flavour and nutrition, these brown ciabatta rolls from Schär are a total bargain. Made with buckwheat and sourdough, they're crisp on the outside but marvellously chewy on the inside.
If you are looking for something delicious and filling, these rolls will hit the spot. They taste much better when freshly toasted though, so won't work too well in a packed lunch. It's vegan and lactose-free!
Gluten-free bread is more expensive than "normal" bread, so why is there such a big market for it? Let's start with the basics: gluten is a protein, found in wheat flour, that acts as the scaffold that gives bread its fluffy yet firm structure. However, many people have a gluten intolerance or sensitivity, which can cause excruciating pain and bloating.
In order to avoid these digestive issues, some people prefer to opt for a bread that's made with something other than gluten, but that'll still give it the wonderfully soft consistency that we all know and love.
Gluten-free bread are made using other types of coeliac-friendly flours which may have the same amount of carbohydrates, or even more than regular all-purpose flour. In a nutshell, a bread that is gluten-free does not necessarily mean that it is low in carbs.
Instead of wheat, rye, and barley flour, naturally gluten-free alternatives like millet, quinoa, chickpea and rice flour are used in combination with each other in the bread-making process. Then, eggs are often used to bind these ingredients together. For vegan alternatives, a variety of gums (xanthan gum) and starches (tapioca or cornstarch) may be used.
Written and researched by Sonata Winchester
No. 1: Warburtons|Gluten Free Tiger Artisan Bloomer
No. 2: ASDA|Free From White Sliced Loaf
No. 3: ASDA|Free From 4 White Rolls
No. 4: Warburtons|Gluten Free White Cob With Sourdough
No. 5: Genius|Gluten Free Spicy Fruit Loaf
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