The vegan lifestyle requires that those who take part forego the use of all animal products. While this includes avoiding animal products in everything from clothing to diet, those who follow a vegan diet don’t necessarily need to eliminate the use of baked goods. It all depends on the ingredients used, as many types of bread are made without animal byproducts. Loaves of bread made from the staples of flour, salt, yeast, and water are vegan. Those made with items such as butter, eggs, or honey, on the other hand, are not vegan. While it’s always a good idea to read all product labels carefully, we’ve put together a list of types of bread that are typically safe for a vegan diet.
Sourdough
A simple bread containing a few ingredients with flour, water, and natural yeast, sourdough can be a good option for a vegan diet. The flavor matches the name in that the taste is sour due to the fermentation process that creates the dough. This bread is a healthier option than others since it contains probiotics that aid with the digestion process.
Pita
A form of flatbread that is commonly used around the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Areas of the world., pita is another good choice for those that want a vegan bread option. Pita bread can be made with both vegan and non-vegan ingredients, however, so ensure that the dough is made only from flour, water, yeast, and salt when choosing this option. Pita is a good choice when desiring a foundation for a sandwich without the richness that might be found with other types of dough.
Ciabatta
Another choice in vegan bread is the classic Italian Ciabatta. This is a white bread made from the essential components of flour, yeast, water, and olive oil. Just like other vegan bread options, this dough has no animal by-products making it both vegan and a healthy choice for those looking for a low fat and high carbohydrate alternative. This is a versatile bread that can be used in a variety of ways from sandwiches to dipping in oil.
Focaccia
This is a flat Italian bread that is formed by combining yeast, flour, water, sugar, and salt. It can be topped with a variety of vegetables, olive oil, and herbs. The dough is rolled out on a flat sheet, allowing for the finished dough to be cooked flat and rectangular. Many times, the product is used as a base for pizza and can be topped with olives, tomatoes, and any other vegetable available. The texture of the finished product allows for a delicate interior and a crunchy exterior presenting this as a perfect sandwich or pizza foundation.
Kosher Bread
This bread must be prepared by the ways and customs of other Kosher foods. When looking for Kosher products, the package must have a label on it that indicates that it was made by the proper guidelines. This bread will be guaranteed to not include any animal by-products such as milk, eggs, or dairy. There are many kinds of Kosher bread such as loaves, rolls, and sandwich slices.
Key Takeaway
Vegans have a variety of different breads to choose from. A few of the most common ones are listed above, but others can be included such as tortillas. The vegan diet does not have to exclude the use of sandwiches or loaves of bread with a meal. Vegans can enjoy all kinds of baked doughy goodness as long as they know what ingredients went into the dough.
