I am constantly on the search for the perfect taste and texture in alternative breads. I have finally found the perfect French Baguette, and some of my favorite alternatives that I will share with you. All of the alternatives below are dairy-free too!
Gluten-free, Dairy-free Bread and Buns
Canyon Bakehouse has my vote for best alternative bread/buns hand’s down!
Canyon Bakehouse in Loveland, Colorado makes the best alternative bread I’ve had the pleasure of eating. Canyon Bakehouse is a gluten-free dedicated bakery! They make sliced bread(white, multi-grain, caraway, cinnamon raisin) that is the perfect texture and closest to wheat or white bread so far. Their hamburger buns are so delicious, perfect in texture and just the right amount of sesame seeds. You will think you are eating wheat or white buns…really. Some other alternative breads are either too wet and dense or too dry and need to be toasted. Canyon Bakehouse bread is perfect the way it is and doesn’t need to be toasted. It does contain a bit of corn and yeast. It is usually kept in the freezer section. Their products are sold at Whole Foods and their website www.canyonbakehouse.com
Udi’s bread is also good and comes in Multi-grain and white sliced, hot dog buns and hamburger buns. It has a nice texture and not much flavor, yet better than most.
Gluten-free & Dairy-free Baguette
HURRAY, I’ve found the closest thing to the French Baguette! Naturally, it’s made in Italy(Fatto in Italia)! The company Schar makes various types of gluten-free bread in different European countries. Their Baguette is made in Italy and has to be baked for 5 minutes which results in a fresh out of the oven crispy crust and soft/fluffy inside! You will not believe it’s Gluten-free. It does have yeast and cornstarch and soy protein. So it is a treat and great for a submarine sandwich, garlic bread, crostini, bread crumbs, french bread pizza, or top for French Onion soup and more. All the foods we thought we would never enjoy again after going Gluten-free! Bon Appetite!
Wheat -free and Gluten-free Alternatives
Food for Life-Rice Bread and Millet Bread. They are both very dense, but lighten up when toasted. I only eat them toasted. Millet is a very healthy grain. Remember, variety is important-so, you don’t develop an allergy/sensitivity due to overexposure.
Wheat-free Alternatives
French Meadow Bakery Rye Bread or Sourdough Rye which are also Yeast-free. Very thinly sliced and light enough to eat untoasted. It will get too hard if you over toast it, so set the toaster for the light-medium setting.
Staff of Life in Santa Cruz makes a Pumpernickel Rye that is very dense and sweet from the molasses. Great toasted or just plain-especially with Earth Balance (soy-free version).
Spelt Bread/Products
Spelt is a non-hybridized wheat. It is one of the five ancient grains. Many people that have a wheat sensitivity can tolerate Spelt, but it is not gluten-free.
Rudi’s Spelt Bread, Spelt Hamburger Buns, Spelt Hot Dog Buns and Spelt English Muffins-you won’t be able to tell that these are alternative since they have a soft, spongy texture like the traditional versions.
Ozery Bakery Inc.(made in Canada) One Bun is a very thin bun that it similar to pita bread. Great for sandwiches (hot and cold). It has a soft texture and can be eaten as is or toasted. A great alternative to pita bread and makes a great Panini. http://www.ozerybakeryinc.com
Pizza Crust
Still Riding Pizza is Gluten-free and wheat-free and dairy-free. http://www.stillridingpizza.com they will ship it to your home and you put your own toppings on it and bake it yourself. Read the article on this site about Amici’s Pizza(a California chain), which also uses Still Riding pizza crust. This crust is thin, airy and puffy with a lite crispiness when baked long enough. If you under bake it, it will be too soft. I like to use a perforated pizza pan for this crust.
Udi’s Pizza Crust-they come frozen, you add your own toppings and bake. Two personal sized crusts come in a package, which fit into the toaster oven! These are made with rice flour with xanthan gum, but I do indulge once in a while when I have nothing else in the house!
Yes, there are other bread alternatives out there. However, most of them have lots of starch and rice flour-which will pack on the pounds and don’t have much nutritional value. Many of the gluten-free alternatives contain xanthan gum or guar gum which are bacteria, and too much is not a good thing. So, we can find alternatives, but are they healthy?
Bread in general is not so easy on the digestive tract; so I save it for times when I must succumb to my cravings for it. When I eat bread I notice that I get bloated and constipated. Next time you eat bread or cut it out of your diet for a while…notice how you feel. Is it worth it? I really love the Irish Soda Bread and Cornbread in my cookbook, and hope you will too.
I have two recipes in my cookbook, No Wheat No Dairy No Problem for great alternatives, Irish Soda Bread(pg.16) and Spelt Bread(pg.18)-tastes like a good French Wheat Boules with a crispy crust and chewy inside! Worth the 8 hour process, and the house smells so good when it is baking in the oven. The Irish Soda Bread does not have to proof, so it is very fast and delicious, and has a scone like texture. I love the Irish Soda bread made with dried fruit for breakfast with a side of my Lemon Curd(pg.225). There is a cornbread recipe too( pg.14). If you order my cookbook on this site using Pay Pal, I will personally sign it and send it to you. I greatly appreciate your support-many thanks.
I hope you enjoy these alternatives as much as I do. Let us all know how you like them. If you know of an alternative bread that does not contain rice flour, xanthan gum and lots of starch, please comment on this post and share it with all of us. Go bake some delicious bread and or go on your own search for a healthy alternative at your local health food store. All of the brands above are found in health food stores-please support you local independent stores/owners so we can keep getting good, healthy food and supplements while supporting local families.
Be Well, Chef Lauren
