Are you looking for a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional breads? Look no further than gluten-free bread! With a wide variety of ingredients and cooking techniques, there are countless ways to enjoy this tasty staple.
This guide will discuss gluten-free bread and go over some popular brands. Then we’ll teach you how to make it at home and share our favorite recipes with you!
Whether you’re looking for something simple and classic or something more adventurous and exotic, we’ll share everything you need to make delicious, wholesome gluten-free bread at home.
What Is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, triticale (a cross between wheat and rye), and other grains. Most bread, pasta noodles, cereals, crackers, cookies, and cakes contain gluten.
Why Avoid Gluten
For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), eating these foods can cause severe gastrointestinal distress. For those with these conditions, eating gluten-free is not just about following a trend—it’s about living without pain.
Though celiac disease is the most well-known reason to avoid gluten, there are many other reasons to steer clear of the protein. For example, gluten is a common trigger for migraines and headaches. It can also cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation, even in people who don’t have celiac disease.
Ditching gluten is an excellent place to start if you want to feel your best. Some people believe a gluten-free diet may help improve your mood and energy levels.
Gluten-free Bread
For centuries, bread has been a staple food in cultures worldwide. Made from wheat flour, water, and yeast, bread is simple to make but can be complex in flavor.
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for gluten-free bread. But what is gluten, and how does it differ from regular bread?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It gives bread its chewy texture and helps it to rise. For people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, ingesting gluten can cause severe stomach upset and other problems. Gluten-free bread is made with flour that does not contain gluten. This can include flours made from rice, potato, or tapioca.
As a result, gluten-free bread often has a different texture than regular bread. It may be lighter and more crumbly, for instance. And because gluten provides the structure that gives bread its shape, gluten-free bread may rise less than regular bread. However, there are many delicious recipes for gluten-free bread that are worth trying!
Why Gluten Is So Common in Bread
Gluten makes bread fluffy and springy. It holds air bubbles in place, helping the dough to rise and stretch during baking to create a chewy texture. That’s why naturally low-gluten recipes can be challenging to master. Luckily, several gluten-free flours work well in place of wheat flour.
Finding Alternatives To Gluten-based Foods
Eliminating all sources of gluten from your diet requires careful planning, but plenty of delicious alternatives are available today in stores and online! Gluten-free grains such as quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth are great starters for healthier options when transitioning away from wheat products like bread and pasta.
While some may first miss traditional grain-based dishes like pizza or sandwiches, there are many options for making delicious meals without using wheat products. Whether trying out a new recipe or ordering something off the menu at your favorite restaurant, you’re sure to find something that fits your tastes and dietary needs!
Does Gluten-free Bread Taste Different?
There can be a noticeable difference between the taste of gluten-free and regular bread. Some people may actually prefer the flavor or texture of gluten-free bread. However, many delicious recipes allow one to enjoy tasty, well-textured gluten-free bread at home.
Whether you bake your bread or buy it from a local bakery, there are plenty of options for enjoying delicious gluten-free bread that tastes great!
What Is The Trick To Making Good Gluten-free Bread
For perfect gluten-free bread, it’s essential to use an excellent binding agent. Some popular options include eggs, xanthan gum, and psyllium husk. These ingredients help the bread to stick together and hold its shape without falling apart or becoming crumbly.
Another factor is the flour blend you use. Many popular combinations include rice flour, almond flour, and tapioca starch, but many other options might work better for your particular recipe. It’s also essential to have a good recipe at hand. We share a few with you below.
Are There Any Naturally Gluten-free Breads?
Many types of bread are naturally gluten-free. These include, but are not limited to, rice bread, cornbread, sprouted grain bread, sourdough bread, some types of flatbreads, a few varieties of tortillas, and gluten-free oat bread. These can be found at most grocery stores but can be expensive.
However, most types of bread contain gluten, so those who are gluten intolerant should be careful when eating bread.
Gluten-free Breads You Can Buy at The Store
If you’re new to gluten-free bread, you may find navigating all the different options challenging and deciding which one to try first. Various brands are making gluten-free products ranging from artisanal loaves perfect for toasting to hearty sandwich rolls ideal for lunch.
Try out a few different brands and flavors. Many gluten-free brands are available, from sandwich breads to pizza crusts to French toast batter. Some of the most popular brands are Udi’s, Rudi’s, Schar, Canyon Bakehouse, and Glutino. All these brands offer a wide selection to choose from, so you’re sure to find something you like.
Once you’ve tried out a few different types of gluten-free bread, it’s time to experiment. The gluten-free community has more options than ever when finding delicious and healthy bread.
Delicious Gluten-free Bread Recipes
Ready for delicious and simple gluten-free bread recipes? Look no further than this collection of tried-and-true favorites!
Dairy-free, Gluten-free Cloud Bread Recipe
Cloud bread is a low-carb, keto-friendly alternative to traditional bread made with eggs and cream cheese. It’s light, fluffy, and takes only minutes to complete. Many cloud bread recipes you find online have some dairy products. This dairy-free cloud bread recipe is a delicious exception.
Gluten-free Paleo Breadsticks
Both almond flour and coconut flour are used to make these breadsticks. This recipe for gluten-free breadsticks is not only delicious but also quite simple to make and requires only a few ingredients. It is also suitable for a Paleo Diet.
Gluten-free Banana Bread
This gluten-free banana bread is moist, sweet, tender, and filled with chocolate. Your guests will never know it’s gluten-free.
Gluten-free Blackberry and Banana Bread
Moist and delicious, this Blackberry Banana Bread is so easy to make. Fresh blackberries take it to the next level.
Gluten-free Zucchini Bread
This easy Zucchini Bread is sweet and tender and makes the house smell delicious! Gluten-free and easy to make in a flash.
Gluten-free Sourdough Rolls
Fun and yummy gluten-free sourdough rolls with cracked peppercorns make an excellent side dish or gluten-free buns. Vegan and gum-free!
Buttery Gluten-free Buns
Extra delicious Gluten-Free Buns that are fluffy, buttery, rich in taste, spongy, and airy are the exact Low Carb Buns you have seeking. Entirely Grain-Free and Diabetic Friendly, our Low Carb High Protein Breakfast Buns must always be in your kitchen.
Gluten-free Irish Barmbrack
Gluten-Free Irish Barmbrack is a dense tea loaf packed with dried fruit and warm spices. It’s incredibly satisfying and traditionally served toasted and spread with butter alongside a cup of tea.
Gluten-free Bannock Bread
Bannock bread is a simple yet satisfying type of flatbread. Make your own easy gluten-free bannock bread rolls in no time! This traditional Scottish bread with variations in Northern England and Ireland is vegan, plant-based, and yeast-free.
Bonus: Gluten Free Pizza Dough
Granted, it isn’t bread, but we couldn’t leave this gluten-free pizza dough off the list.
This cauliflower pizza dough recipe is perfect. It is like the real thing. It is ideal for folks on the Paleo diet too.
Give Gluten-free Bread a Chance
Whether you are looking to avoid gluten for health reasons or want to try something new, many delicious options are available for eating gluten-free. From bread and pasta made from alternative flours to desserts and other tasty dishes, there is no shortage of delicious choices for those following a gluten-free diet.
This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geek and has been republished with permission by Mama Say What?!
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock /Daisy Daisy
