Gluten is the name for the proteins found in grains, wheat, malts, rye, barley, etc., and foods made of those like bread. So, folks, sensitive to gluten avoid foods made from grains. On that note, gluten-free bread allows individuals, who can't consume gluten, to enjoy this staple without the risk of having uncomfortable symptoms. But what breads are gluten-free exactly?
Breads made from rice, sorghum, teff, millet, cassava, buckwheat, amaranth, oat, almonds, and pure corn lack gluten. Hence, their flour can be incorporated into baking gluten-free breads. You can identify whether the bread is gluten-free by checking the ingredients on the product's label.
Key Takeaways
- Gluten-free bread is any loaf that's made from flour free of ingredients, which contain gluten.
- Gluten is a sticky protein found in certain grains and is what binds the dough together.
- Gluten-free bread is available from retail stores, bakeries, and online retailers.
Do All Breads Have Gluten?
Not all breads have gluten. Flours that contain gluten include white and whole grain wheat, barley, rye, malt, triticale, spelt, etc. The list of ingredients, making up the bread, determines whether it contains gluten. Bread made from wheat has the highest gluten amount. All sorts of food contain gluten, including the baked goods, listed below :
- Bread
- Bread rolls & buns
- Pizza bases
- Bagels
- Biscuits
- Tortillas
- Pasta
- Cakes
- Crackers
- Cookies
Individuals with gluten intolerance or sensitivity to gluten must eliminate gluten products from their diet, as gluten can have adverse effects on the body. Upon consumption, gluten reacts with the body's immune system causing an attack on the small intestine lining. The response hinders nutrient absorption that can lead to all sorts of health issues and general discomfort.
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Which Breads Are Naturally Gluten-free?
Gluten-free bread can be made from different naturally gluten-free flours, such as:
- Rice flour
- Sorghum flour
- Buckwheat flour
- Teff flour
- Millet flour
- Cassava (Tapioca) flour
- Coconut flour
- Amaranth flour
- Almond flour
Oats are also gluten-free but can be cross-contaminated during packaging. Gluten-free loaves differ in taste, texture, and appearance depending on the flour used in the dough mixture. The bread contains hydrocolloids like guar and xanthan gum to enhance its texture.
Related: What Chips Are Gluten-Free? Make Your Own at Home
Is White Bread Gluten-free?
Most white breads are made of all-purpose wheat flour, hence, it’s not gluten-free. Still, there are some options for white types of bread that are free of gluten. Instead of wheat flour, they are made of flour from gluten-free grains.
Gluten-free White Bread Options
Gluten-free white bread options can be found in certain retail stores and bakeries. In addition, you can make it yourself at home.
Ingredients of gluten-free white bread include:
- Tapioca starch
- Brown rice flour
- Potato starch
Examples of gluten-free white bread, available on the market include:
- Schar Gluten-Free Artisan Baker White Bread
The artisan baker white bread is gluten-free and a best seller. The bread boasts a perfect texture.
- LiveGFree wide pan gluten-free white bread
LiveGFree bread from Aldi's in-house bakery is popular among consumers seeking alternatives to gluten-based foods. The bread uses a gluten-free tapioca, potato, cornstarch, and rice flour blend.
Sourdough Bread
Individuals with gluten intolerance symptoms can tolerate sourdough bread because the methods used to make it break down the gluten. Usually, the rising ingredient in sourdough bread is fermented rye flour. So, sourdough bread can be classed as low-gluten type of bread and can be easily digested by persons, sensitive to gluten.
Here are some brands of sourdough bread that are safe for persons with gluten intolerance:
- Bread Srsly classic gluten-free sourdough bread
- Young Kobras' original gluten-free sourdough bread
Related: How Long Does Gluten Stay in Your System?
Is Rye Bread Gluten-free?
Rye bread is unsuitable for persons following a gluten-free diet because it contains secalin (a form of gluten), which triggers an autoimmune response in gluten-sensitive individuals. Rye bread is made with rye flour.
Gluten-free Rye Bread Options
Traditional rye bread contains gluten. However, there are gluten-free rye bread options available in retail stores, online and for home baking.
Individuals craving brown-bread taste and texture can get gluten-free rye-like bread from selected stores. Gluten-free rye bread is tested to ensure it have less than five parts per million of gluten.
Examples of gluten-free rye style bread include:
- Three bakers of gluten-free rye-style bread
Three Bakers offers dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free rye style bread.
Ingredients: Whole grain sorghum flour, whole grain millet flour, water, honey, yeast, whole grain corn flour, whole grain brown rice flour, flax seeds, sea salt, caraway seeds, and xanthan gum.
- Canyon Bakehouse gluten-free deli rye bread
Canyon Bakehouse offers gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free rye style bread.
Ingredients: Organic sorghum flour, organic millet flour, organic buckwheat flour, organic tapioca flour, organic flaxseed meal, organic psyllium husk, organic caraway seeds, sea salt, and water. Brown rice flour, tapioca flour, whole grain sorghum flour, xanthan gum, extra virgin olive oil, less than 2% of eggs, sea salt, organic cane sugar vinegar, organic agave syrup, water, enzymes.
Is Potato Bread Gluten-free?
Potatoes are gluten-free, however, potato bread isn't necessarily gluten-free. The reason is that most recipes add a combination of flours in addition to the potatoes used.
Gluten-free Potato Bread Options
- O'Doughs Multigrain Sandwich Thins
Ingredients: Potato flour, tapioca flour, flax, and chickpea flour
The O'Doughs Multigrain Sandwich bread is one of the best gluten-free options. They are long bread buns made from gluten-free flour and are perfect for making your favorite sandwich.
- Martin's Potato Bread
The gluten-free Martin's potato bread has a perfect crust and a tender, moist, crumb texture. The bread is made with freshly cooked white potatoes combined with bread dough.
What Breads Are Best for a Gluten-free Diet?
Finding the best gluten-free bread depends on your taste, nutrition needs, and texture preferences. The popular gluten-free bread options below were selected, based on the following criteria:
- Nutritional content: The bread offers a source of vital nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals.
- Quality of the ingredients: The products contain minimal artificial additives.
Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-free Breads
Gluten-free bread from Canyon Bakehouse can be found in most grocery stores or purchased online via the brand's site and major retailers like Amazon. The brand produces a variety of sliced bread made from ingredients, such as brown rice, sorghum, and sunflower seeds.
Happy Campers Gluten-free Bread
Happy Campers baked products are certified by the Gluten-free Certification Organization. The Oregon-based bakery bakes hemp-flavored gluten-free bread without eggs, dairy, soy, and nuts. The bread lacks added sugar or any genetically modified organisms.
Ingredients: Quinoa, millet, sorghum, hemp seeds, buckwheat, and amaranth
Schar Gluten-free Bread
Schar is an artisanal bakery based in the Italian Alps. It produces entirely gluten-free bread while incorporating ingredients like millet and quinoa. Its bread is a quality product for persons with special conditions.
Texture and Taste of Gluten-free Breads
The bread has a light texture close to regular bread, with good chew and crunch when toasted. Regarding taste, consumers can enjoy the malty, seeded, whole meal neutral flavor.
Best Gluten-Free Bread Recipe
An ideal gluten-free bread recipe offers easy steps to deliver bread with amazing texture and taste. Do you want to experiment and make a homemade gluten-free bread? Here are step-by-step instructions for making your very own gluten-free bread:
Ingredients: Gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking powder, instant yeast, honey, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, warm water, salt, and egg whites.
Step 1: Add gluten-free flour, baking powder, and instant yeast to a large bowl. Combine the ingredients by stirring thoroughly.
Step 2: Add olive oil, cider vinegar, honey, and warm water to the flour mixture. Mix the ingredients thoroughly for about 1 minute.
Step 3: Add salt and egg whites to the dough, and then mix until it looks like a thick cake batter.
Step 4: Spray your bread tray with gluten-free cooking spray and then pour the dough into the greased pan
Step 5: Spray the plastic wrap and cover the top of the pan. Allow the bread to rise for about 30 minutes.
Step 6: Move the oven rack to the middle. Then, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 7: Place the bread pan in the oven for 30 minutes until it's golden brown
Step 8: Allow the bread to cool in the tray for 10 minutes. Then remove it and place on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips for Baking the Best Gluten-free Bread
- Always use room-temperature ingredients;
- Always use fresh yeast;
- Don't add any extra xanthan gum to your flour if it already has it;
- Ensure to use gluten-free non-stick cooking spray to grease your tray;
- Bake the bread on the middle rack;
- Gluten-free flours tend to brown less than wheat flour, so don't judge readiness on a golden color alone.
Related: What Cereals Are Gluten Free? From Oatmeal to Cornflakes
What Breads Are Gluten-free? FAQs
Q: Is Sourdough Bread Gluten-free?
A: Sourdoughs are baked using wheat. Hence, the bread isn't made with gluten-free flour. However, people with gluten intolerance can tolerate sourdough because the methods used to make sourdough break down the gluten into more digestable forms.
Q: Which Is the Best Bread for Gluten Sensitivity?
A: The best bread for gluten sensitivity is a gluten-free sorghum or millet flour bread.
Q: What Bread Can You Eat if You Are Gluten Intolerant?
A: If you have a diagnosed intolerance to gluten, eliminate the protein by eating gluten-free bread. Alternatively, you can eat low-gluten sourdough bread, as it is the safer option compared to conventionally produced bread. However, check with your physician about it first.
Related: What Liquors Are Gluten-free? A Detailed Guide
Conclusion
Gluten-free bread is a great alternative to traditional bread, especially for people, who avoid gluten. These breads are made from naturally gluten-free grains and flour. Individuals with gluten sensitivity can follow a gluten-free diet by choosing some of the tasty and nutritious gluten-free bread on the market, or by making their own at home.
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