What kinds of bread are dairy free?

Bread is a staple food for many people around the world. It’s a versatile carb that can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For those with dairy allergies or sensitivities, finding dairy-free bread options is important.

Why check if bread contains dairy?

There are a few reasons why someone may need to avoid dairy in their bread:

  • Milk allergy – Some people are allergic to the proteins in milk from cows, goats, or sheep. Even small amounts of dairy in bread can cause an allergic reaction.
  • Lactose intolerance – Around 65% of people have a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy. Eating dairy can lead to digestive issues.
  • Vegan diet – Vegans avoid all animal products, including dairy. They need to ensure their bread doesn’t contain milk, butter, cheese etc.
  • Paleo diet – The paleo diet avoids dairy as it only includes foods eaten during the paleolithic era. Paleo followers need dairy-free bread.

Thankfully, many types of bread are naturally dairy-free or can be made without dairy products.

Common bread ingredients that contain dairy

Before discussing dairy-free bread, let’s look at some of the most common bread ingredients that contain dairy:

  • Milk – Added to some bread doughs to make them softer and more tender.
  • Butter – Used to enhance flavor and texture. Provides a rich taste.
  • Cheese – Shredded cheese baked into bread tops or loaves.
  • Buttermilk – Sometimes used in place of milk to give a tangy flavor.
  • Yogurt – Mixed into doughs to make bread light and fluffy.
  • Whey – A byproduct of cheese making used in some breads.
  • Casein – A milk protein sometimes added to improve texture.

Breads that contain any of the above dairy ingredients would not be suitable for a dairy-free diet. Now let’s look at some excellent dairy-free bread options.

Types of Bread That Are Naturally Dairy-Free

Many common types of bread are traditionally made without dairy products:

Sourdough Bread

Sourdough bread is made using a fermented starter dough that gives it a distinctive tangy taste. The starter contains flour and water – no dairy. Sourdough bread has a chewy texture and crusty exterior.

French Baguettes

These long narrow loaves have a crispy crust and fluffy interior. French baguettes are traditionally made using just flour, water, salt and yeast.

Ciabatta

Ciabatta is an Italian white bread made with wheat flour, water, salt, and yeast. It has a soft and spongy texture.

Focaccia

Focaccia is a thick flatbread topped with olive oil, herbs, and sea salt. Most basic focaccia dough contains no dairy.

Naan Bread

Naan is a soft, tear-drop shaped flatbread from India, traditionally made with flour, water, yeast and salt. It is cooked in a hot tandoor oven.

Pita Bread

Pita bread is a Middle Eastern flatbread that puffs up into a pocket when baked. The dough is based on flour, water, yeast and salt.

Rye Bread

Dark rye breads are made from a mix of rye flour and wheat flour, along with water, salt and yeast.

Pumpernickel Bread

This dark dense German bread is made with rye flour and coarse rye meal, giving it a rich earthy taste.

Tips for Keeping Bread Dairy-Free

When buying bread, be sure to check the ingredient labels carefully for any hidden dairy products such as milk solids or whey powder. Here are some other tips:

  • Choose breads marked “vegan” or “dairy-free”.
  • Opt for basic bread recipes without added ingredients.
  • Look for bread baked at artisan bakeries that use traditional recipes.
  • Be wary of enriched breads or those with a creamy soft texture.
  • Ask restaurants and cafes for dairy-free bread options.
  • Consider making your own bread at home so you control the ingredients.

Recipes for Dairy-Free Bread

You can easily adapt bread recipes to make them dairy-free. Here are some tasty options:

Dairy-Free French Bread

This crisp crusty white bread is a versatile option for sandwiches or dipping in soups and stews.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (375g) bread flour
  • 1 1/4 cups (300ml) warm water
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, stir together the bread flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
  2. Add the warm water and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-8 minutes until smooth.
  4. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour.
  5. Punch down the dough, shape into a loaf and place on a baking sheet.
  6. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
  7. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 220°C.
  8. Using a sharp knife, make 4 diagonal cuts across the top of the loaf.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until deep golden brown.
  10. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Easy Dairy-Free Focaccia

This soft flatbread is topped with fresh rosemary and olive oil for an authentic Italian flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (375g) bread flour
  • 1 1/4 cups (300ml) warm water
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, stir together the bread flour, honey, yeast and salt.
  2. Add the oil and warm water. Mix well.
  3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes.
  4. Place in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise 1 hour.
  5. Punch down the dough and press into a well-oiled 9×13 inch baking pan.
  6. Use your fingers to dimple the surface of the dough.
  7. Drizzle with extra olive oil and sprinkle with rosemary and sea salt.
  8. Let rise 30 minutes more.
  9. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200°C.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Dairy-Free Breads You Can Buy

Thankfully there are now many dairy-free bread options available in grocery stores and supermarkets:

Bread Details
Sara Lee 45 Calories & Delightful Wheat Bread Soft wheat bread made without milk or eggs.
Arnold Whole Grains 100% Whole Wheat Bread Nutty whole wheat loaf with no dairy.
Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Bread Several dairy-free varieties including whole grain and seeded loaves.
Mestemacher Organic Rye Bread German-style whole rye bread without dairy.
Alpine Valley Gluten Free Bread Dairy-free bread that is also gluten-free and vegan.
Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Rice Bread Gluten and dairy-free loaf made with rice flour and potato starch.

You can also find good dairy-free bread options at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, local bakeries, farmer’s markets and co-ops.

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Bread

Finding gluten-free bread that is also dairy-free can be tricky. Here are some recommendations:

  • Canyon Bakehouse 7 Grain Bread
  • Schar Artisan Baker White Bread
  • Udi’s Gluten Free Whole Grain Bread
  • Against the Grain Gourmet Chocolate Bread
  • Manna Organic Bread
  • Mikey’s Classic White Bread

Look for gluten-free breads made with ingredients like rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, nuts, and seeds rather than wheat flour.

Paleo Bread Without Dairy

Those following a paleo diet can enjoy these dairy-free grain-free bread options:

  • Julian Bakery Paleo Bread
  • Love Grown Foods Power O’s Paleo Bread
  • ThinSlim Foods Paleo Bread
  • Birch Benders Paleo Bread
  • Siete Grain Free Bread
  • Simple Mills Almond Flour Bread

Paleo breads substitute almond flour, coconut flour, and tapioca starch for regular grains and don’t include dairy.

Vegan Dairy-Free Breads

Vegans have many excellent dairy-free bread choices, including:

  • Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Vegan Bread
  • Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread
  • Manna Organic Bread
  • Trader Joe’s Sprouted Wheat Bread
  • Alpine Valley Organic 21 Whole Grains Bread
  • Angelic Bakehouse Sprouted Whole Grain Bread

Check for vegan breads that are clearly labeled as containing no animal products or dairy ingredients.

Making Dairy-Free Bread at Home

Baking your own dairy-free bread at home gives you total control over the ingredients. Here are some tips:

  • Substitute non-dairy milk such as almond, soy or oat milk for regular milk.
  • Use oil or melted coconut oil instead of butter.
  • Replace yogurt with non-dairy yogurt or lemon juice.
  • Swap out cheese for vegan cheese or omit entirely.
  • Experiment with dairy-free ingredients like nut meals, seeds, fruit purees, or vinegar.
  • Adjust recipes to suit your dietary needs, whether vegan, paleo etc.

With some simple ingredient swaps, you can enjoy healthy home-baked dairy-free bread just how you like it.

Conclusion

From basic French baguettes and Italian focaccia, to gluten-free, paleo, and vegan options – there are now many tasty dairy-free breads available. By checking labels, shopping specialty stores, baking your own, and getting creative with recipes, people with milk allergies or on dairy-free diets can still enjoy sandwich favorites, morning toast, and bread baskets galore.

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