There’s no denying that sandwiches are one of the best all-around meals you can eat. From a simple PB&J to a delicious Beyond Meat Greek-style gyro, sandwiches are quick, simple, easy-to-pack, and delicious.
Now, you might be thinking to yourself, “Wait… isn’t bread naturally vegan?”
Before going on a vegan diet, I was under the same impression. I never really read ingredients labels and just assumed that bread was a plant-based wheat product.
Once I went vegan, though, I really had to start paying attention to food labels. That’s when I found out that the majority of bread loaves on store shelves weren’t so vegan after all.
Over the past seven years of my vegan journey, I’ve found quite a few vegan bread options that taste even better than your typical store-bought wheat bread. Most of them only cost a couple of bucks extra per loaf, and they come 100% guilt-free!
After having multiple readers ask my opinion on the best vegan bread brands, I finally broke down and decided to make a conclusive list of my top eight vegan bread options. Are you craving a PB&J yet?
What Makes Vegan Bread Different From Traditional Bread?
Before I dive into the best vegan bread brands, I realize you might have a couple of questions about what makes vegan bread different from traditional wheat bread. As I mentioned above, the majority of popular store-bought bread brands are not vegan.
So, let’s start by taking a look at some of the top non-vegan ingredients used in common bread recipes:
- Milk.
- Eggs.
- Processed White Sugar.
- Molasses.
- Honey.
- Gelatin.
- Butter.
- Buttermilk.
- Whey protein (derived from milk).
That’s a pretty long list, right? It’s enough to make most new vegans stop eating bread altogether. After all, who wants to go through every single loaf of bread scanning for that many ingredients? After doing it a few times, I quickly grew tired of it myself!
That’s when I found out about vegan bread and started ordering vegan-certified bread online.
So, what’s the difference between vegan and non-vegan bread?
Aside from the lack of non-vegan ingredients listed above, vegan bread is typically made from all-natural, organic, plant-based ingredients. Some features that are typically characteristic of vegan bread include:
- It often contains no added sugars.
- It’s often baked using ancient grains or whole grains.
- It tastes more “plant-based” and less “sugary.”
- It’s a lot more filling (due to higher fiber content).
- It tends to be brown-colored instead of white (thanks to the whole grains).
- It contains little to no preservatives (which also means it has a shorter shelf life).
- Some vegan bread needs to be frozen until you’re ready to use it.
If you’re used to eating sweet white bread, then vegan bread might take some time to get used to. While it may not be as sweet, smooth, and soft as white bread, it’s far healthier, more filling, and typically has fewer carbs (for the low-carb dieters out there).
Also, if you’re curious about “ancient grains,” I recommend checking out this video so you can get a better understanding of what they are and why they’re so healthy for you:
My Top 8 Best Vegan Bread Brands
Most of the bread on this list is readily available on Amazon. You might also be able to find a few at your local Whole Foods Market or other organic-oriented health food stores.
I’ve also included a flavor rating (0 stars being the worst, 5 stars being the best), as well as some of my likes and dislikes about each brand. Now that you have a better idea of what to expect, let’s jump right into it!
1) 365 by Whole Foods Market, Sprouted Multigrain Seed Organic Bread (link)
Overall Flavor Rating: 4.5/5
If you’re lucky enough to have a Whole Foods Market nearby, then they’ll probably have this bread in stock. If not, Amazon always has it in stock (and may even offer same-day delivery in some places).
365 is a line of organic foods designed for everyday healthy eating and is Whole Foods Market’s premier store brand. The sprouted multigrain and seed bread tastes great and has a wholesome, well-balanced flavor.
It does contain a small amount of organic cane sugar, but this is 100% vegan as it’s not processed or bleached with animal products.
The thing I like most about this bread (other than how readily available it is) is that the slices are nice and large. This means that I only have to make one large sandwich to fill myself up, instead of having to make two smaller sandwiches.
It’s packed with ancient grains, organic seeds, and uses a whole wheat flour base. The overall texture, flavor, and versatility of this bread easily make it my favorite go-to option for vegan bread.
What I Like About It:
- Affordable.
- Easy to find.
- Balanced taste.
- Large slices.
What I Don’t Like About It:
- Has some not-so-natural preservatives.
2) Eatsane Nuts and Seeds Bread Loaf (Link)
Overall Flavor Rating: 4/5
If you’re the type of person who enjoys a more organic taste, then you’ll love this bread. Although this brand is marketed more towards those on low-carb or keto diets, it’s also 100% vegan (and gluten-free as well).
Unlike the Whole Foods bread that I mentioned above, Eatsane bread is completely preservative-free. It’s shipped frozen and thaws out on the way. It’s recommended that you enjoy the bread within the first five days or freeze it to use later.
As far as the flavor goes, it’s very seedy, thanks to Eatsane’s proprietary dough made from water and nut-and-seed flour. They offer three varieties:
- Classic nut-and-seed.
- Rustic nut-and-seed.
- Nut-and-seed with rye.
Personally, I enjoy the rye version, as I’m a sucker for sourdough. I’ve tried the other three flavors on numerous occasions, though, and have been completely satisfied.
Eatsane bread is also a great option for anybody who’s watching their carbs or counting calories. At only 50 calories per slice and 2.1 – 2.5 net carbs, you can afford to eat this bread all day long without worrying about the scale!
What I Like About It:
- Low-carb.
- No added sugar.
- Only 50 calories per slice.
- Very filling.
- 100% organic.
What I Don’t Like About It:
- You have to freeze it if you’re not planning to use it right away.
- As it’s frozen, you might have problems getting it delivered on exceedingly hot days.
- The slices are a bit small.
3) Carbonaut Gluten Free, Low-Carb, Keto-Certified, Non-GMO, Vegan Bread (link)
Overall Flavor Rating: 4.5/5
What do astronauts have to do with bread? We may never know the answer to that question, but that doesn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying the bread.
Interesting name aside, Carbonaut’s line of low-carb, vegan, non-GMO bread is a great, all-natural option for anybody on a vegan diet.
They offer five varieties, all of which are vegan and three of which also happen to be gluten-free as well:
- Seeded bread.
- Low-carb white bread (don’t worry, it doesn’t have white sugar).
- Gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread.
- Gluten-free seeded bread.
- Gluten-free white bread.
My favorite is Carbonaut’s traditional vegan seeded bread. It’s made with a wheat protein and potato starch base and has added flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pea fiber.
The only preservative used in this loaf is all-natural citric acid, which is derived from citrus juice.
The only downside to Carbonaut is that it’s a bit expensive, even if you purchase the multi-pack. That being said, I always try to stock up on it when the bread’s on sale. I just put the extra loaves in my freezer until I need them.
What I Like About It:
- Natural citric acid is the only preservative used in the bread.
- Multiple flavors available from seeded to traditional white bread.
- Low-carb and low-calorie.
- 100% plant-based ingredients.
- Large slices make it a great option for deli-style sandwiches.
What I Don’t Like About It:
- It’s a bit on the expensive side.
4) Alma Baking Bread (link)
Overall Flavor Rating: 3.5/5
Alma’s claim to fame is that all of their loaves are 100% hand-baked. If you’re the type of person who prefers to support small-time bakers over big-name brands, then Alma’s Baking Bread is a great choice.
The consistency of this bread is similar to other whole wheat loaves that you might find at your supermarket, but this product is 100% vegan and uses only plant-based ingredients.
They offer three flavors:
- Traditional.
- Multi-Seed.
- Whole Grain.
Of the three, the whole grain is usually my go-to, as I find their multi-seed bread is a bit lacking in seediness (I typically like extra-seeded bread). It has a nice mild flavor that’s great for making a PB&J or using as a side of toast with breakfast.
Unlike most of the other vegan bread brands I’ve mentioned so far, Alma’s loaves come unsliced.
On one hand, this may make it harder for those who are counting calories and carbs, as it’s almost impossible to cut the same size slice every time; on the other hand, it gives you plenty of freedom to make your slices as slim or thick as you want!
What I Like About It:
- Mild flavor that gives the bread versatile application.
- Relatively affordable compared to other vegan bread brands.
- The unsliced loaf allows me to cut extra-thick slices for Texas toast-style sandwiches.
What I Don’t Like About It:
- Alma’s seeded bread doesn’t have a lot of whole seeds, compared to other seeded vegan bread that I enjoy.
- The loaves come unsliced, which can make it hard to count carbs and calories.
5) Food For Life Flourless Sprouted Grain Bread (link)
Overall Flavor Rating: 4/5
Believe it or not, the first time I ever purchased this particular bread was for my pet hermit crabs. A long time ago, I had several pet hermit crabs and they weren’t allowed to consume traditional white bread. So, I’d buy this at my local health food store and give it to them instead.
After going vegan, I decided to give it a try again; this time it was for myself!
It’s often referred to as “Ezekiel Bread,” thanks to the large Bible verse on the front, describing how ancient Hebrews would make bread from six simple ingredients:
- Wheat.
- Barley.
- Beans.
- Lentils.
- Millet.
- Spelt.
Despite the Biblical reference, the company itself does not have a religious affiliation. Instead, they’re just taking pride in the fact that they’re using a bread recipe that dates back thousands of years to ancient times.
The flavor of Ezekiel Bread is definitely seedy, and may taste a bit bland if you’re used to more flavorful wheat breads. However, if you add a bit of vegan spread, it makes for a wonderful slice of toast.
Another thing I like about Ezekiel Bread is that it doesn’t have any preservatives. If you purchase it online it will be shipped to you frozen, and you’ll have about 5 days to use it before it goes bad.
For some, it might seem like an inconvenience; but I think it’s a small price to pay for a 100% organic, vegan product.
What I Like About It:
- Uses an ancient Hebrew bread recipe that dates back thousands of years.
- It’s made from a proprietary blend of wheat and ancient grains.
- It’s 100% plant-based and preservative-free.
What I Don’t Like About It:
- It’s costly.
- It must be frozen on delivery, unless you’re planning on using it immediately.
6) Dave’s Killer Bread Organic 21 Whole Grains and Seeds Bread (link)
Overall Flavor Rating: 5/5
I discovered Dave’s Killer Bread last year, after a friend introduced it to me. Since then, it’s become one of my go-to favorites, as it’s widely available in most grocery stores and online.
While I order lots of my vegan bread brands online, it’s nice to know that there’s an easy-to-find vegan bread available in my local supermarket.
The flavor is also incredible, and it’s one of the best-tasting vegan breads on the market. It’s made with a balanced blend of whole grain wheat and seeds that give it a wonderful texture, making it great for sandwiches and toast alike.
It does contain molasses, which is a common non-vegan sweetener. However, Dave’s Killer Bread is made with 100% organic blackstrap molasses, which is vegan and isn’t made with any animal by-products!
What I Like About It:
- Well-balanced, slightly sweet taste.
- Amazing texture.
- Large slices.
- Easy to find online and at supermarkets.
What I Don’t Like About It:
- It’s expensive (but so worth it).
7) Toufayan Bakery, Whole Wheat Pita Bread (link)
Overall Flavor Rating: 5/5
I’ve always been a fan of Greek food, and ate my fair share of gyros before going vegan. Now that I’m vegan, I simply substitute the lamb with a vegan Beyond Meat option.
Traditional dairy-based tzatziki sauce is substituted with a vegan soy protein tzatziki sauce. Despite the substitutions, my vegan gyros taste just as great as non-vegan gyros!
Toufayan Bakery’s whole wheat pita bread is my favorite vegan pita to make my gyros with. Although I’ve found it in several stores over the years, I usually order it online to be sure. The taste is wholesome, flavorful, and simple – everything a good pita bread should be.
The pita bread comes in several varieties, which are all 100% vegan and taste great:
- White.
- Whole wheat.
- Low-carb.
- Sweet onion.
- Sprouted whole wheat.
What I Like About It:
- Several different flavors to choose from.
- Great for making vegan gyros.
- Affordable and all-natural.
What I Don’t Like About It:
- Some flavors (such as sweet onion and sprouted wheat) are hard to find.
8) Angelic Bakehouse Take-and-Bake Demi Baguettes (link)
Overall Flavor Rating: 5/5
Sometimes, I like to treat myself to a fancy appetizer of baguettes and wine. Unfortunately, many of the store-bought baguettes I’ve found contain non-vegan ingredients and chemical preservatives.
Angelic Bakehouse’s Take-and-Bake Baguettes are my go-to when I’m cooking vegan French cuisine.
Simply throw them in the oven for five to ten minutes (depending on your desired level of crispiness), and they’re good to go! Once the loaf is out of the oven, you can also cut it into thin slices that are great with a dipping sauce.
What I Like About It:
- 100% vegan baguette recipe.
- Tastes great.
- Made with sprouted whole grains.
What I Don’t Like About It:
- The shelf life isn’t great, so you’ll need to freeze what you don’t plan on immediately using.
Is Vegan Bread Healthier Than Non-Vegan Bread?
I’ll be the first to admit that many of the popular vegan foods on the market aren’t so healthy. Many of them are chemically produced and processed. So even though they contribute to a happier, cruelty-free planet, they’re not so great for your body.
However, all of the vegan bread brands I’ve mentioned on this list are, in fact, healthier than most traditional non-vegan bread. For one, they contain little to no preservatives.
Secondly, they use high-fiber whole grain wheat and sprouted ancient grains, which are far healthier and have tons of natural Omega-3’s that are great for your joint health.
Conclusion
There you have it! From breakfast toast to making vegan gyros, you can’t go wrong with any of the options on this list. Not only is vegan bread better for the planet, it’s also better for you.
For more great tips on eating vegan (whether or not you’re using bread), be sure to check out my Vegan diet blog on Vegan Calm!
