Is Bread Vegan?

“Is bread vegan?” is a question that vegans often ask themselves when first transitioning to a plant-based diet. In most cases, bread is usually vegan, but there are some ingredients to look out for when heading to the grocery store’s bread aisle.

When bread is made with whole-food ingredients like water, flour, yeast, and salt, it’s pretty much a no-brainer. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to a bakery or the time to bake fresh bread.

You can find bread in the grocery store made with minimal ingredients, but we know that it’s not always an option. In this article, we will share everything you need to know when it comes to vegan bread.

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if this goes viral I’ll make some ugly vegan cinnamon rolls next. #bread #randomthings #recipe #recipevideo #fyp

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Can I Eat Bread On A Plant-Based Diet? 

Absolutely! The foundation of bread is four ingredients: 

• Flour 
• Water 
• Salt 
• Yeast

While this is a no-brainer when you are enjoying homemade bread, that isn’t always the case for store-bought products. Heavily processed bread can contain non-vegan ingredients, which makes the whole debate somewhat confusing.

Which Non-Vegan Ingredients Are Found In Bread?

The ingredients to look out for would be any animal products like milk, butter, whey, casein, gelatin, honey and eggs. You’ll need to know a few ingredients that are usually not vegan and aren’t common terms familiar to us.

Here is a list of non-vegan ingredients to stay clear of:

• Lactose. Lactose is the sugar that comes from dairy milk. 
• Ghee. Ghee is a form of butter without the lactose, but it’s still butter at the end of the day. 
• Gelatin. Gelatin is sourced from animals and is used to help with the bread’s texture.
• Eggs. Some sweet types of bread use eggs to create more levity in the texture.

Ingredients to be cautious of: 

• Mono and diglycerides. These are fats that help stabilize the bread. Mostly they come from soy, but sometimes they can come from animal products, so be wary!
• Lecithin. This is another type of stabilizer usually from soybeans, but sometimes it can come from egg yolks! 

Breads That Are Usually Always Vegan

• Sprouted or Ezekiel. These breads are sprouted from their grains, which come with loads of extra nutrients and protein.
• Sourdough. Fermented with minimal ingredients, sourdough bread, provides our gut with healthy bacteria.
• Ciabatta. This bread has a hard crust with a fluffy inside and it’s perfect for a vegan sandwich option.
• Pita bread. Pita is made with minimal ingredients and most of the time is vegan. Be on the lookout for added milk ingredients.
• Focaccia. Commonly served and baked flat in a pan with toppings and rich olive oil. Watch out for non-vegan toppings, though.
• Rye. Very close to the texture of regular whole wheat bread but has a more pungent taste.

Vegan Bread Brands I Recommend

All of the breads listed below you can find in a grocery store. They are Plant You approved for taste too!

• Dave’s Killer Bread
• Silverhill Bakery
• Northern Bakehouse
• Food For Life
• Thomas Bagels

What about yeast? Is it vegan?

Yes, yeast is vegan! Technically, it’s fungi and does not contribute to animal exploitation.

What about whole wheat vs white? Which is best?

Whole wheat bread is usually more nutrient-dense and less processed. White bread has commonly gone through a process to remove bran and germ, which strips the bread of many beneficial nutrients. In most cases, white bread will be fortified with added vitamins and minerals.

However, at the end of the day, you need to look at the big picture. Whole-wheat or white, it doesn’t matter as long as it brings you joy.

What is Sourdough Bread? 

Sourdough is a type of loaf made without yeast. Instead, it is slowly fermented with the sourdough starter which gives it the signature sour taste.

And yes, sourdough is typically vegan. Again, reading the labels is vital because sometimes sourdough can contain milk instead of water or a non-vegan filling like cheese.

What Is Sprouted Bread?

Sprouted bread is exactly what it sounds like! The grains used to make sprouted bread have begun to germinate. Because of this process, sprouted bread can be easier to digest and have more nutritional value than traditional bread.  

Can vegans eat gluten-free bread?

Most traditional bread flour (wheat, rye, spelt) contains a protein known as gluten. It essentially acts as glue keeping the dough together.

Unfortunately, gluten is also one of the top allergens in the world. Gluten-free bread is a great alternative for anyone who suffers from Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. If you don’t have either of these health considerations, you can certainly enjoy traditional bread.

It is a common misconception that gluten-free diet is somehow healthier. To compensate for the lack of gluten, GF products may contain highly processed ingredients.

if you’re both vegan and gluten-free, be sure to check the ingredients of bread products as they often contain egg as a binding agent instead of gluten.

Make Your Own Bread

So, which type of bread is best? Sprouted bread packs extra nutrition because it is made from whole grains, but the healthiest bread for you is the one made from the least processed ingredients. That’s why I love making homemade bread, so I know exactly what is in it! 

All of my bread recipes are super-simple and foolproof:

• Easy Breadmaker Loaf
• Secret Garden Focaccia
• High-Protein Flatbread
• Sweet Potato Tortillas
• Four-Ingredient Bagels
• Overnight Oat Buns

Try out my signature UGLY no yeast bread recipe, it’s delicious and so easy to do!

Looking to make your plant-based lifestyle easier?

Treat yourself to the PlantYou Cookbook and Scrappy Cookbook! These are the books I wish I had when I first transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle. All the recipes are super easy, vibrant, and DELICIOUS!

In addition to the excitement of my upcoming cookbook, I have collaborated with an amazing women-led business to bring you an all-in-one supplement. Complement x PlantYou Essential is a fine-tuned multinutrient for plant-based and plant-centered eaters, and it’s available as a subscription!

And if you want a steady stream of delicious, beginner-friendly recipes that can be organized into a custom meal plan, run not walk to sign up for PlantYou Planner app! It has a database of OVER 600 WFPB recipes, an interactive meal planning feature, and a shopping list based on your recipe selection. Still not sure? Try out the FREE version of the app, which gives you access to 25+ vegan recipes and the Vegan Beginner Meal Plan.