Types of Bread

Around the globe, we have now grown accustomed to a wide variety of bread.

From artisanal sourdoughs to gluten-free loaves, there are many options when it comes to what type of bread you want for your meal and how you want to enjoy it.

Make a sandwich, toast it, turn it into croutons, or even a bread and butter pudding. One thing is for sure, there are no shortages of ways to eat bread.

Read on to discover some of the most popular different types of bread and how to enjoy them.

Bagels

A bagel is a bread product that is boiled before it is baked. This process of boiling and then baking gives the bagel its unique texture and shape. Bagels are typically made out of wheat flour, malt, water, sugar, yeast and salt.

You can buy bagels in many different flavours, including poppy seed and sesame seed.

A bagel can be served with various toppings, including cream cheese, salmon, jam, peanut butter, bacon or just a little jam.

Baguette

A baguette is a long, thin loaf of French bread (sometimes called a French stick) originally created to hold the ingredients for meals as they were carried from their place of origin to nearby towns.

The baguette gets its unique taste and texture from using flour, yeast, water salt, and sugar instead of using more specialised ingredients like whole wheat or rye flour.

The cloth used in bread-making, especially for baguettes, is called a couche (pronounced “koosh”). It’s typically made from heavy linen or canvas and is used to support the dough during its final rise, helping to shape the loaves and prevent them from sticking together. The couche also absorbs moisture from the dough’s surface, which aids in developing a nice, crusty exterior during baking.

Baguettes are made by baking in an oven at high temperatures for a short time, typically between 10 and 15 minutes. The crust of a baguette is golden brown and generally crunchy.

Baguettes are usually sliced and served as a dinner side or starter, with butter or a dip, or they can be used to make garlic bread or as a roll with cheese, ham or another filling for lunch.

Beer Bread

Beer bread is made with beer – usually a pale lager or stout. The bread can have yeast, baking powder and eggs added to the mix for extra leavening if desired.

Beer bread has a unique flavour profile that combines the malty, slightly bitter notes of beer with the warm, comforting taste of freshly baked bread. The taste can vary depending on the type of beer used:

Light Beer: Using a light beer will give the bread a subtle, mild flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Dark Beer: Dark beers like stouts or porters will impart a richer, more robust flavor, with notes of caramel, coffee, or chocolate.
Hoppy Beer: A hoppy beer, such as an IPA, will add a more pronounced bitterness and a hint of citrus or pine.

Overall, beer bread tends to be slightly sweet, dense, and moist, with a deliciously chewy texture and a crispy crust. The beer adds a distinct depth of flavor that sets it apart from regular bread, making it a favorite for pairing with soups, stews, and cheeses.

Brioche

Brioche bread is a rich, buttery, and slightly sweet bread with a soft, tender crumb and a golden, flaky crust. The flavour is reminiscent of a mild, sweet pastry due to the high butter and egg content, making it taste almost like a cross between bread and a cake.

When you bite into brioche, you get a rich, buttery taste that melts in your mouth. It’s slightly sweet, making it great for both sweet and savoury dishes.

The inside is very soft and fluffy because of the eggs and butter. The crust is light golden and a bit crispy, often with a shiny finish from an egg wash.

Brioche is tasty on its own, toasted with some butter, or used in recipes like French toast, bread pudding, or fancy sandwiches.

Brioche can be made as a loaf in a bread maker or as dough and then shaped into individual brioche baps, perfect for pulled pork or hamburgers.

Brown Bread

Brown bread or sliced brown bread uses wholemeal flour. Bread such as this takes longer to bake but is very popular with people who prefer bread containing more fibre and complex carbohydrates.

Brown bread has also become increasingly popular with people on restricted diets due to its nutritional values.

Ciabatta

In Italian, ciabatta means slipper.

This type of bread has a crunchy crust and an interior with large holes due to it being made quite wet before it is baked.

Ciabatta originated in Italy and was named after the types of shoes that the fishermen in Genoa wore when they came back from work.

Ciabatta is made with very few ingredients and is one of the types of bread that does not need to be kneaded before baking. Ciabatta does, however, need to be fermented for 24 hours before being baked to allow for the yeast and gluten in the ingredients to work well together.

Ciabatta tastes best when eaten fresh – it can become overly dry if stored for longer than a few days.

Ciabatta is perfect for dipping in olive oil.

Chapati

Chapati is an Indian flatbread that is made with a combination of wholemeal flour, plain flour, hot water, salt and olive oil.

The dough is often cooked on an iron plate over a fire or in a tandoori oven which gives the chapati its distinctive smoky flavour – if you don’t have either of these, a chapati can also be cooked in a hot frying pan.

A chapati is very thin and round in shape, much like a tortilla, holding many types of fillings, including vegetable curry or meat dishes for lunch or dinner.

Challah Bread

Challah bread is a typical Jewish bread that is braided into three sections.

Challah is made using flour, eggs, water, yeast and salt.

Challah sometimes includes honey, raisins or is topped with sesame seeds.

Cloud Bread

Despite the name, Cloud bread isn’t actually bread at all. Cloud bread is a low-carb, high protein, light way to enjoy a bread alternative.

There are various recipes for cloud bread, but it typically consists of egg whites (use the freshest eggs possible), together with cream cheese, cream of tartar, a little sugar, and any fresh or dried herbs to add some flavour to this somewhat bland bread substitute.

Cornbread

Cornbread is a type of bread that is crumbly and moist. It can be made with cornmeal, flour, sugar or brown sugar, butter or margarine and eggs. Cornbread has historically been associated with the southern United States.

Cornbread is sometimes eaten at breakfast with maple syrup or honey, on its own, or as an accompaniment to soups or vegetable dishes and crumbled into salads.

Cornbread is especially popular during the Thanksgiving holiday season in America, where it can be used for turkey stuffing (often together with some type of dried fruit).

Crumpet

Crumpets are a classic British tea-time treat, known for their soft, spongy texture and distinctive holes on the top.

Made from a yeast-based batter, they are cooked on a griddle or frying pan, which gives them a golden-brown base and a light, airy interior.

Typically enjoyed warm, crumpets are delicious with a spread of butter, jam, or honey, which seeps into the holes.

Crumpets are pure bliss!

Damper Bread

Damper is a traditional Australian bread that originated with early settlers and bushmen, made from simple ingredients like flour, water, and sometimes milk or beer.

This rustic, dense bread is typically cooked in the ashes of a campfire, giving it a distinctive smoky flavor and a crusty exterior. The inside remains soft and slightly chewy, making it a hearty and satisfying accompaniment to stews, soups, or enjoyed on its own with butter and golden syrup.

Dinner Rolls

Dinner rolls are soft, fluffy bread rolls that are a staple at many dinner tables, particularly during holiday meals and special gatherings.

Their golden-brown, slightly crusty exterior gives way to a tender, airy interior that practically melts in your mouth. Often brushed with butter before baking, dinner rolls have a subtle, buttery flavour that complements a variety of dishes, from soups and salads to roasts and casseroles.

Dinner rolls are easy to pull apart and perfect for mopping up gravies and sauces.

English Muffin

English muffins are a popular breakfast bread. These round, flat bread rolls have a soft, airy interior and a slightly crisp exterior when toasted. Ideal for breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, or simply enjoyed with butter and jam, English muffins offer a mild, subtly tangy flavour.

Focaccia Bread

Focaccia bread is a flat, round Italian style bread baked in a very hot oven. It’s made using simple ingredients, including flour, water and salt. Fresh herbs or chopped olives can be used to add flavour to this traditional Italian recipe.

Focaccia originated in Italy but has been popularised by supermarkets throughout the UK and in the United States.

Focaccia is excellent for dipping into olive oil, balsamic vinegar or pesto – it also goes well with a variety of types of toppings, including cheese, spinach, tomato or various kinds of meats.

Flat Bread

Flatbread is a very thin type of bread that’s often made with just four main ingredients; flour, water, salt and oil.

The types of flatbread most commonly used throughout the world include chapatis (Indian flatbread), tortillas (Mexican flatbread) or pitta (Middle Eastern flatbread).

Garlic Bread

Garlic bread starts life as a French stick that’s sliced horizontally and spread with garlic butter, then sometimes topped with cheese.

Garlic bread can be served as an appetiser or used to accompany pasta dishes, pizza or soups.

Gluten-Free Bread

Gluten-free bread is made from types of flour that don’t include wheat or gluten. There are a variety of types of flours and mixes available to use in gluten-free bread recipes, including quinoa, soy or almond flour.

The texture of gluten-free bread will vary depending on the types of ingredients used. Gluten-free bread tends to be drier than regular types of bread, and it’s usually better suited for sandwiches or toast rather than snacking on by itself.

Gluten-free types of bread are becoming more popular these days due to an increasing number of people who suffer from gluten allergies, and so the choice and quality of store-bought loaves are improving.

Grissini Bread

Grissini breadsticks are usually served as an appetiser in Italian restaurants.

Grissini breadsticks are often flavoured with garlic, and, like most types of breadsticks, they’re often dipped into a sauce or olive oil before being eaten. Grissini is made using white flour, yeast and water, but there are types that use other types of flour instead.

Milk Bread

Milk bread, also known as Hokkaido milk bread, is a popular Asian bread known for its incredibly soft, fluffy texture and slightly sweet flavour.

Made with a unique tangzhong method, which involves cooking a portion of the flour and milk into a thick paste before mixing it into the dough, milk bread achieves an unparalleled lightness and moistness. This technique creates a tender crumb that stays fresh longer than many other types of bread.

Often enjoyed as toast, as a sandwich, or simply on its own.

Multigrain Bread

Multigrain bread is a type of bread that doesn’t fall into any one specific category but instead contains types of flour from wheat, rye and oats.

Multigrain types of bread can be found in all supermarkets as well as sold in health food stores where they’re usually flavoured with seeds and grains such as sunflower seeds, sesame or linseeds.

Naan Bread

Naan bread is a traditional Indian flatbread known for its soft, pillowy texture and slightly chewy consistency.

Baked in a tandoor oven, it gets a distinct smoky flavour and characteristic charred spots. Often brushed with butter or ghee and sprinkled with herbs like garlic or coriander, naan pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, from rich, spicy curries to grilled meats and vegetables.

Its warm, comforting flavour and texture make naan a beloved staple in Indian cuisine.

No-Knead Bread

Requiring minimal ingredients and effort, no-knead breads rely on a long fermentation process to develop flavour and texture instead of traditional kneading.

The result is a crusty, artisan-style loaf with a chewy, airy interior. By mixing flour, water, yeast, and salt, then letting the dough rest for several hours or overnight, anyone can create delicious homemade bread with little hands-on time.

Panettone Bread

Panettone is a sweet bread that originated in Italy but is now famous around the world, especially at Christmas time.

Panettone contains raisins, dried fruit and candied fruits that are then mixed into the dough.

Panettone is best served slightly warm or at room temperature with butter.

Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)

Pão de queijo is a type of bread that’s popular in Brazil as well as other countries around South America. It’s traditionally shaped into small balls and served warm with drinks or used to accompany meals.

Pão de queijo is made from tapioca flour, eggs and cheese, and it contains no yeast or salt.

Pão de queijo recipes can contain hard cheese, soft cheese and even combinations of both.

Pitta Bread

Pitta bread is a type of flatbread that originated from middle eastern cuisine. It’s usually thinner than other bread, and can be eaten warm or cold.

Pitta bread is very popular in countries such as Greece and Turkey, where it’s served with virtually every meal, including soups, salads and main courses, as well as dipped into hummus and other middle eastern appetisers.

Pitta bread is made using white or wholemeal flour, yeast and water, but some recipes do contain other ingredients such as salt, sugar or oil.

Pizza Bread

Pizza bread, otherwise known as pizza dough, is the base for pizza. It’s a flatbread or bread dough that usually uses yeast and salt plus herbs.

Despite its name, it doesn’t have to be used just to make pizza; it can also be used to make other bread types, including calzone and focaccia.

Pizza dough can be made by hand, in a stand mixer or even a bread maker.

Pretzel Bread (Soft Pretzels)

Soft pretzel bread is a type of flatbread that originated in Germany and is now famous around the world. It’s normally sold as an accompaniment to dips or salads, but it can also be served with main courses such as sausages or other types of meat dishes.

Pretzel bread is made using dough that contains a large amount of yeast and a small amount of salt and flour. Pretzels are cooked in saltwater and then topped with coarse salt or other types of seasonings.

Potato Bread

Potato bread, otherwise known as potato rolls, are a type of bread that’s made out of potatoes.

They’re normally served alongside types like steaks and other types of grilled food, but they can also be used to make burgers as well as toasties.

To make potato bread, potatoes are cooked together with yeast, water and salt until they’re soft. This mixture is then added to the flour before being baked in the oven.

This type of bread originated in Germany, but it’s now popular around the world.

Raisin Bread 

Raisin bread is a sweet bread that has raisins added to it. The raisins provide flavour, moisture and sweetness to the bread. Raisin bread is normally served cold with spreads, jams or butter.

Raisin bread can be made using several different types of flour, including wholemeal flour (whole grain) flours as well as white flour.

Raisin bread can be made by hand and oven baked, or completely made in a bread maker.

Roti Bread

Roti bread is a type of flatbread that has originated from South Asia and is now popular all over the world.

It can be made with wholemeal flour, white flour or a mixture of both, and it contains no salt.

Roti bread contains different types of herbs as well as garlic, and this helps to provide flavour to the bread.

Rye Bread

Rye bread is one of the most popular types of bread in northern Europe, especially in Sweden. It’s made using rye meal, and this accounts for its dark brown colour.

Rye bread contains different types of seeds, such as poppy seeds, sesame seeds or caraway seeds which provide flavour to the bread and help to keep it moist.

It’s normally sold in small, round loaves and many people use it for sandwiches as well as to accompany main meals such as dinner.

Seeded Bread 

Seed bread, otherwise known as seeded bread, is a common type of bread that’s made out of flour with different types of seeds added to it. It can also contain sugar and yeast, although some recipes don’t use either ingredient.

Seeds used for seeded bread include poppy seeds, sesame seeds or caraway seeds.

Seed bread is normally sold in round loaves, and it can be used to make sandwiches as well as to accompany main meals such as dinner. 

Pumpernickel bread is similar to seed bread, but it’s a little sweeter than other types of bread with the addition of sugar.

Soda Bread

Soda bread is a type of bread that originates from Ireland, and it’s made using ingredients such as buttermilk, baking soda and salt.

Soda bread consists mostly of flour, so it contains very little sugar or fat, and this makes it low in both calories and fat. This also means that it tends to be fairly dry, so most soda bread versions will also contain additions such as oil, currants or seeds, which help to give it flavour and to make it softer.

Spelt Bread

Spelt is another alternative to wheat that you might want to consider when you want to make your own bread.

Spelt is an ancient grain that was first developed in Egypt, and it’s believed to have been used by the ancient Romans. It can also be eaten raw, but when it’s cooked, its texture is similar to rice.

Spelt contains a higher percentage of protein than wheat, so many people who have gluten allergies choose this type of bread instead because it’s easier to digest.

Spelt bread is available in many different varieties, and it can be found in most supermarkets as well as health food stores.

Sourdough Bread

Sourdough bread has been around for hundreds of years, but it’s now very popular.

Sourdough bread is different from other types of bread because it’s made using fermented dough rather than yeast. This means that the flavour in sourdough bread is much stronger and deeper than in most other types of bread.

Sourdough bread is normally made using a sourdough starter which provides the fermentation process with natural lactic acid bacteria that produce acids to give the bread its sour taste.

The benefit of sourdough bread is that it contains high amounts of nutrients because yeast doesn’t fully break down all of the starches in flour, so they’re released into the bread.

Stollen Bread (Christmas Bread) 

Stollen bread, otherwise known as Christmas fruit bread, is a type of bread that originated from Germany but has now spread across the world. It’s mainly made using nuts, fruit and sometimes marzipan, which provides flavour to the bread as well as a delicious taste. 

Stollen bread is available throughout the year, but it’s prevalent during the Christmas period in Germany because it contains dried fruits such as cherries. It’s also often sold at German Christmas markets or fairs where you can purchase it fresh.

Tiger Bread 

Tiger bread originated in the Netherlands but can now be found in the freshly baked bread section of many supermarkets.

Tiger bread is a white bloomer loaf with a rice paste painted on the top giving it the stripey ‘tiger stripes.’

Tortilla Wraps 

Tortilla wraps are flatbreads that originated from Mexico. It’s similar to pitta bread, but it doesn’t contain pockets for filling, and it can be folded over, so the ends join together. 

The main ingredients of tortilla wrap are wheat flour, water and salt, although other liquids such as oil are sometimes added, too.

Popular fillings for tortilla wraps include chicken, beef or even avocado, and they can be eaten as a snack or main meal.

Fajitas are a popular recipe that includes tortilla wraps.

White Bread Loaf

White bread is made using wheat flour which undergoes a mixing process to ensure the dough rises evenly.

White bread is normally sold in small or large round loaves, and it’s very popular for making sandwiches.