Justine Sterling
Trader Joe’s bread comes in many, many, many varieties. In this search for the best bread at Trader Joe’s, I tried 42 different loaves. That’s a lot of bread. The TL;DR of it all is that Trader Joe’s isn’t great at your basic loaves. You’re better off buying white bread or wheat bread elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a specialty loaf with some signature flavors, that’s where Trader Joe’s bread shines.
What we looked for in the best bread at Trader Joe’s:
- Good texture. Look, I knew I wasn’t going to get fresh-from-the-oven bread. I knew I had to pop these breads in the oven if I wanted crispy crusts. But I still wanted good texture. I wanted tender innards. And if there were seeds I wanted them to be crunchy. And if there were instructions telling me to bake the bread, I did expect a crunchy crust.
- Flavor. Bread should taste good! Even if it’s plain white bread it should taste like something!
- Uniqueness. Trader Joe’s is known for unique products, so I looked for unique Trader Joe’s breads. I wanted loaves I couldn’t find at my local Kroger-owned store.
Here’s all the bread at Trader Joe’s (all the bread that we could find, at least), ranked from worst to best.
- Trader Joe’s Gluten Free White Sandwich Bread
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A lot goes into Trader Joe’s gluten free sandwich bread to make it taste like real bread—they include potato flours and sorghum in order to give it a soft texture and bread-ish flavors. But it’s just way too sweet.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Sliced Cracked Wheat Sourdough Bread
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This Trader Joe’s bread is a lot of extremes: It’s very, very, airy, and very, very dry, and extremely sour. It’s not for me.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Stone Hearth Baked French Loaf
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Another way-too-dry loaf with no real flavor. There are many better options for bread at Trader Joe’s.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Clay Oven Baked Old Fashioned Lavash Bread
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These rectangular sheets of flatbread are really satisfying to handle and stack. But eating them is another matter. The bread barely tastes like anything. Seriously, it might as well be paper.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Clay Oven Baked Old Fashioned Whole Wheat Lavash Bread
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Everything I said about the regular lavash applies to the whole wheat lavash—except the whole wheat lavash is more tender. Therefore, I’m ranking it higher. But I’d skip both of these Trader Joe’s breads.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Carb Savvy Sliced Bread with Sunflower Seeds & Flax Seeds
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Of all the Trader Joe’s low carb bread, this is the least good. But it’s still okay as long as you’re planning on spreading something flavorful onto it. It’s very light. It’s very dry. And it’s very plain. But it only has 21g of carbs and 60 calories per serving (two slices).
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Organic Whole Wheat Bread
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There’s better whole wheat bread at Trader Joe’s. This one lacks tang and texture.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Multigrain
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If you’ve ever been in a brewery, you’ll recognize the smell of this gluten free Trader Joe’s bread. It smells super malty. Unfortunately the aroma is the best part. Untoasted, this bread is dry and floury and it immediately crumbles and dissolves in your mouth. It’s better toasted, but the flavor is strange. It tastes like it was made with spent mash from brewing beer. There’s better gluten free bread at Trader Joe’s.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Organic French Rolls
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Trader Joe’s French rolls look incredible. They’re soft and pillowy with a lovely rise, if I may sound like I’m on The Great British Bake-Off for a second. But they’re not crusty at all. And there’s not a lot of flavor. They would be good for sopping up gravy or soup, I guess.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Sandwich Rolls
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These football-shaped bread rolls are very soft, very doughy and a little sweet. They’re also too big. You get way too much bread. It’s overwhelming for a sandwich. While they’re totally fine and I wouldn’t get angry with you if you bought them for me (very nice of you, thank you), there’s better Trader Joe’s sandwich bread on this list. You’ll know it when you see it.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Challah Braided Egg Bread
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Look, it’s hard to make a really good challah bread and I commend Trader Joe’s for trying. But it doesn’t have the snappy crust of a real challah. And the flavor, while decent and eggy, just isn’t quite right. And the innards should peel away in tender swaths. This one is too tough.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Ciabatta Rolls
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I think ciabatta needs to be eaten fresh from the oven. It gets stale and chewy so quickly. So it’s not Trader Joe’s fault that their ciabatta is a bit lackluster. While the square little pillows have decent fermented flavor, they’re a bit tough and dry. I might slice these open, toast them, and use them to make caprese-style sandwiches. But otherwise the size is too big to serve them as dinner rolls and too small to slice them like a loaf.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s White Bread
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This Trader Joe’s white bread is not a Wonder Bread dupe, like I thought it might be. It has actual bread tanginess. But the texture is lacking—it’s middling. It’s not super soft and squishy like Wonder Bread. And it’s not crusty. A dip in the toaster should help do the trick.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat English Muffins
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Just eat the regular Trader Joe’s English muffin. Don’t punish yourself with this pretender. There are no nooks. No crannies. And it doesn’t really taste like an English muffin. If you really need to eat whole wheat bread, there are much better options at Trader Joe’s.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Bread
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Trader Joe’s standard whole grain bread is a straight-down-the-middle, simply okay bread. I like the chunky oat bits on the crust. I like that it’s a little bit savory. But there’s nothing special about it.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Raisin Bread
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Trader Joe’s cinnamon raisin bread comes in thiiiiiick slices. There are tons of raisins and a visible cinnamon swirl. Sounds super positive right? Alas, it is way too dry. Toast this and swab it with butter if you buy it.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Garlic & Cheese Bread Sticks
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I was so excited about these. I love breadsticks—particularly cheesy breadsticks. And these are covered in a layer of crunchy cheese. But, while the cheese does add some nice crispy, crunchy texture, it doesn’t have a ton of flavor. And there isn’t nearly enough garlic in the mix. If you buy these, be sure to dip them in some sauce.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Multigrain Bread
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I love that this bread is so seeded! The crust has so many seeds on it. But it doesn’t give me that multigrain flavor. It’s sweet. Still, love them seeds! That said, there’s actually a better seedy Trader Joe’s bread on this list.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Garlic Bread
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This shelf-stable garlic bread comes like a big sandwich. It’s a big ol’ loaf sliced down the middle, spread with lots of garlic butter. You unwrap it, and then spread the butter so it’s actually evenly distributed, then you pop the bread in the oven. It starts super promising. But the result isn’t as garlicky or buttery as I thought it would be. But the bread itself is pleasantly tangy with squidgy innards and crispy crust. On its own, it’s lacking in flavor. But I think it’d be a great side to sop stuff up—like one of Trader Joe’s frozen pastas, perhaps.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Bread
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This is some seriously thick sliced bread. The slices are big and giant. It’s dense—much denser than other buttermilk breads I’ve had—and a little bit sweet. Toast this up, top it with some butter, and enjoy with a cup of tea.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Focaccia Bread with Roasted Tomato & Parmesan
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On paper, Trader Joe’s focaccia bread with tomato and parm sounds irresistible. But in practice, it doesn’t have enough flavor. The parmesan is seriously lacking in the saltiness department. It’s quite puffy and the texture is pleasantly chewy. But without some marinara sauce or olive oil and balsamic, it just falls flat when it comes to flavor.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Whole Grain Bread
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I’m not sure why gluten-free bread is so small. But it is. And Trader Joe’s gluten-free white bread is very small. But, guess what? It’s good! It’s better than so many regular gluten-full Trader Joe’s breads! The texture is open and airy, it’s soft, and it has a nice chew—like real bread. And while it does leave some of that telltale gluten-free coating in your mouth, Trader Joe’s GF bread tastes like actual bread.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Organic Ancient Grain & Seed Bread
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There are oats and seeds coating every inch of the crust on this Trader Joe’s bread. It’s soft and chewy with moments of crunchy seeds. And the flavor leans oaty. It walks that line between being wholesome and healthful while still tasting like a piece of bread you actually want to eat.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Sprouted Wheat Multigrain Bread
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So far, many of the breads on this list have been very soft, airy breads. Not this one. This Trader Joe’s multigrain is extremely dense. It’s a hearty, fill-you-up bread with a sweet grain flavor and little crunchy bits of wheat berries and flax seeds. It tastes like you’re really getting your fiber. What tastes better than the knowledge your pipes are staying healthy?
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat Bread
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I liked Trader Joe’s whole wheat more than the organic whole wheat because it had much more of a tangy whole wheat flavor. It is also doughier than the organic and I like a doughy bread. If you’re looking for whole wheat bread that tastes more like white bread, go ahead and get the organic whole wheat. But if you buy whole wheat bread because you like the taste of whole wheat bread, this is the best Trader Joe’s bread to buy.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Vegan Brioche Loaf
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This thick-cut loaf might not be quite as buttery as real-deal brioche, but it’s pretty darn convincing. It’s sweet. It’s eggy. It’s pillowy. Use Trader Joe’s vegan brioche bread to make vegan French toast with one of these vegan egg alternatives.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Sprouted Wheat Sourdough Bread
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I love the little pops of crunch you get from this Trader Joe’s wheat bread. In terms of flavor, it’s deep and tangy, like a true sourdough should be. It’s not like any other bread out there. It would be absolutely stupendous as the bread for a veg sandwich with hummus.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Organic White Bread
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This is the best Trader Joe’s white bread to buy. It’s softer than the non-organic white with a tighter crumb and a chewier texture. It’s much more of a Wonder Bread dupe. It’s a great blank canvas with an almost milky flavor.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Everything Ciabatta Rolls
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Trader Joe’s will never say no to everything seasoning. And, most of the time, it works! (We particularly enjoyed it on smoked salmon.) I love how savory the rolls are. The everything seasoning is heavy on the garlic and the onion and the salt. The bread is a touch dry (the rolls come pre-cut so that’s inevitable). But that’s easy to fix with some condiments and sandwich fillings. Be careful, though—the everything seasoning does come loose. You absolutely will make a mess. Maybe save these for an al fresco meal.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Sliced Seedy Multigrain Bread
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If you’re looking to get more seeds into your diet, this is the best bread at Trader Joe’s for you because it really is seedy. It’s absolutely packed with seeds. And there’s cornmeal, too, which gives each slice a crunchy texture. While it’s a bit dry eaten plain, the flavor is good, thanks to all those seeds. I think this is the best Trader Joe’s bread for a veggie sandwich loaded up with sprouts and avocado and cheese. But it’d also be great toasted.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Pretzel Buns
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I think these may be some of the best pretzel buns I’ve ever had because they actually taste like pretzels! They have that classic twang and slickness of a soft pretzel. Use these to make some top-tier ham and Swiss sandwiches. My only quibble? There’s no salt on top of the buns. Give me salt!
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s English Muffins
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While these aren’t the best English muffins, full stop, they are pretty darn good. They actually have quality nooks and crannies—unlike the whole wheat English muffins. They toast up nicely, and get crispy on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. That signature English muffin tang is missing, but the flavor is still good. I’d love to use one of these substantial English muffins to make a bacon, egg, and cheese.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Sandwich Starters
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Leave it to Trader Joe’s to rebrand sliced bread. It’s silly to call presliced flatbread a “Sandwich Starter.” But here’s the thing: It’s so good, I’ll let it slide. Seriously, this isn’t just sliced bread or even sliced rolls. It’s thinly sliced flatbread that smells and tastes so deliciously yeasty and doughy. And it’s really the perfect thickness for a sandwich. It’s just hefty enough to hold a good amount of fillings—but not so thick that the bread takes over the sandwich. As the name implies, this is the best Trader Joe’s sandwich bread.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Brioche Twist
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This seasonal Trader Joe’s brioche bread packs so much fall flavor into every pre-sliced slice. It has the sweetness of pumpkin and a cinnamon-sugar-nutmeg swirl. I’ve had it toasted and untoasted, and it’s good either way. I have yet to try it as French toast, but I have a feeling it would be incredible.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Focaccia with Caramelized Onions and Cheese
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I love the flavor of the onions in this Trader Joe’s focaccia bread. They’re pungent and sweet and rich. And the focaccia itself is puffy and doughy and not dry at all. If I had to quibble, I’d say the cheese could be more flavorful, but really it’s all about the onions. Serve this as a side with some roast chicken.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Cheddar Jalapeño Pull Apart Bread
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You might be noticing a pattern here. Trader Joe’s is very good at flavored, savory bread! And this one is a huge home run. It’s actually spicy! But the peppers also give it that fruity, grassy fresh pepper flavor, which pairs perfectly with the salty, savory cheese. This is not just bread. This is a treat and a meal. But because it’s actually spicy it’s not for everyone.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Sweet Pull Apart Aloha Rolls
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You’ll never top King’s Hawaiian rolls. They are truly the best dinner rolls you can buy. But Trader Joe’s does a pretty good job of nearly matching them at their game. These rolls are very sweet and soft, like a quality milk bread. They’re not the absolute best slider buns (those would be, shocker, King’s Hawaiian), but they’d be totally perfect topped with some saucy BBQ pulled pork.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Crumpets
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I’m a little bit obsessed with Trader Joe’s crumpets. I love how stretchy and chewy they are on the inside. And they have that tangy sourdough flavor that’s missing from Trader Joe’s English muffins. You have to toast them—do NOT try to eat them at room temperature or even let them get cold after toasting them—but when you do you’re rewarded with crispy crannies that beg for butter. It’s seriously hard for me to keep these in the house. I have to stop myself from eating them all in one sitting.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s European Style Whole Grain Bread
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This Trader Joe’s bread looks like punishment. It resembles a brick. But don’t let that discourage you from trying it. Each very thin slice is extremely dense, packed with seeds and nutty chunks. And it’s really flavorful and well seasoned with a deeply malty flavor. At first I was dubious of how thin the slices are, but you really wouldn’t want it cut any thicker. This is perfect for afternoon tea.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Pain Au Lait Chocolate Chip
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This is how you eat chocolate for breakfast and feel like you’re getting away with it. This isn’t a chocolate croissant or pain au chocolat (if you’re feeling French today). It’s bread—with chocolate chips. Okay, yes, it’s milk bread, so it’s enriched with milk and eggs, but it’s still not straight-up pastry. The bread is not sweet, but it is tender and doughy. The chocolate chips are scattered throughout—there’s a lot of them—and they are good quality chocolate. I was afraid they would be hard and flavorless because of their size, but they instantly melt in your mouth. One of these little rolls with a double espresso would be a dream-come-true breakfast for me. It’s definitely some of the best Trader Joe’s bread out there if you like a little sweetness to start the day.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Sourdough Bread
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As a Bay Area native I am required to be a sourdough snob. And this Trader Joe’s sourdough bread passes muster with me. It smells just right—tangy and yeasty. And that tang continues through to the taste. So many store bought sourdoughs are bland. But this one really goes heavy on a long, tangy finish. It also has great chew and nice, big holes in the bread itself, just like a good sourdough should. Toast this up, slather it with avocado, and enjoy a true Cali breakfast.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Olive Fougasse
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You MUST follow the instructions and warm Trader Joe’s olive bread in the oven before trying it. When you do, you unlock an incredible crispiness that contrasts with a chewy, doughy inside. The olives are deeply flavorful and they’re not dry at all. You could serve this as a starter at dinner with some olive oil for dipping and everyone would be very satisfied. Or you could just nibble at chunks of it throughout the day until it’s suddenly all gone, like I did. This is the best bread at Trader Joe’s. I’m sorry if you don’t like olives, but it’s the truth.
Credit: Merc
Gluten Free White
Cracked Wheat Sourdough
French Loaf
Lavash
Whole Wheat Lavash
Low-Carb Sunflower Seed
Organic Whole Wheat
GF Multigrain
French Rolls
Sandwich Rolls
Challah
Ciabatta Rolls
White
Whole Wheat English Muffins
Whole Grain
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Cheesy Bread Sticks
Multigrain
Garlic Bread
Buttermilk
Tomato & Parm Focaccia
Gluten Free Whole Grain
Ancient Grain & Seed
Sprouted Wheat
Whole Wheat
Vegan Brioche
Wheat Sourdough
Organic White
Everything Ciabatta Rolls
Seedy Multigrain
Pretzel Buns
English Muffins
Sandwich Starters
Pumpkin Brioche Twist
Onion & Cheese Focaccia
Cheddar Jalapeño
Sweet Rolls
Crumpets
European Whole Grain
Pain Au Lait Choc Chip
Sourdough
Olive Fougasse
Will Morgan
Joe Rumrill
Matt Crowley
