It’s an age-old question: White or wheat? While white is typically my preference, I sometimes opt for wheat—not because it’s healthier, but because good wheat bread can be truly phenomenal. When done correctly, it can even have better texture and flavor than white bread.
The Sporked team was looking for a sliced wheat loaf that is balanced. It needed to have just the right amount of sweetness and a gentle nuttiness that isn’t overpowering. And, above all else, it needed to be soft and moist.
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- Nature’s Harvest Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat Bread
White bread who? Nature’s Harvest made me forget other types of bread exist. After tasting it, I can’t imagine why you’d ever want to make a sandwich on anything else. It’s pleasantly squishy but still has enough structural integrity to be stacked with all sorts of sandwich fixings, from meats to spreads to veggies. This bread’s best quality is a pleasant sweetness—that adds something most other breads do not have. That flavor would work in a sweet preparation, like PB&J, or compliment contrasting flavors if it were used as a vehicle for something savory like a Reuben. TLDR: this bread is perfect.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
- Alfaro’s Artesano Golden Wheat Bakery Bread
Alfaro’s Artesano Golden Wheat Bakery Bread is the potato bread of wheat breads. It’s thick and a little bit sweet, so my fellow Sporked staff writer Danny Palumbo thought it would be perfect for French toast. The sugary taste would welcome a hearty dousing of maple syrup and a side of crispy bacon. But don’t worry, this bread isn’t too sweet to use for other purposes. This would also be great with smoked turkey, provolone, and honey mustard.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
- Bimbo 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Bimbo (pronounced beem-bo) knows bread, and the brand’s100% Whole Wheat Bread is no exception. Their hot dog buns snagged the coveted #2 spot on our list, and their sandwich bread is just as good. One of this bread’s best qualities is that it has a subtle flavor and won’t distract from more delicate fillings like egg salad or the lettuce-and-tomato part of a BLT. This bread is soft without being too spongy and still has a definite sturdiness. This is a great option if you want a delicious bread that doesn’t feel the need to be the star of the show.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
- First Street Enriched Wheat Sandwich Bread
This bread from First Street, Smart & Final’s house brand, is the perfect, classic loaf of wheat bread. The individual slices are not too big and not small. The sweetness is mild, and the whole grain essence is subtle. Toast it up and slather it with butter and orange marmalade. Top it with some smashed avocado and drizzle it with Sriracha. Sandwich a burger, thousand island dressing, and grilled onions between two slices and toss the whole thing into a panini press to make a sensational patty melt. This bread is cheap and can be used for just about anything.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
- Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Powerseed Sandwich Bread
If you’re looking for a wheat bread that has no sweetness at all, Dave’s Killer Bread is the bread for you! This whole wheat loaf packs oaty, seedy, whole-grain savory goodness in every bite. The slices are nice and big, perfect for smearing with jam or holding the contents of a tuna melt from oven to plate. And let’s not forget Dave’s Killer Bread is a company with a mission. They employ people who were previously incarcerated and may not be able to get jobs elsewhere. We love a company that’s doing good!
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
- Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat Bread has all the benefits of whole wheat bread with many of the beloved qualities of white bread. First of all, it looks like white bread. It also lacks the strong oat flavor of wheat bread. Justine Sterling, Sporked editor-In-chief, liked that this bread has a nice elasticity that would allow you to ”ball it up” the way children do. Why do children take slices of bread and squish them into tight ball? I have no clue, but they seem to absolutely love doing it, and this bread is eminently squishable.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
- Oroweat Whole Grains 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Oroweat Whole Grains 100% Whole Wheat Bread would stand up to even the most filling, heavy sandwiches (like the ones I make). Sporked staff writer Danny Palumbo backed up my feelings, saying this is bread you could “pile high” with tons of stuff. It’s not the moistest bread we tried, but that’s okay! It means mayo and mustard are encouraged when enjoying this whole wheat bread. Plus, your sandwich won’t get soggy as it sits in your lunchbox.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart
Best of the Best
Best for Breakfast
Best Substitute for White
Best Budget
Best Seeded
Best for School Lunch
Best Sturdy
Read about the best breads we’ve tried!
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Is Nature’s Harvest only in California? I can’t find it anywhere!
For those on the east coast like me, Alfaro’s Artesano bread is Sara Lee Artesano bread over here. Sara Lee acquired the smaller company but kept the name in some areas, apparently!