Best Bread For Sandwiches 13 Top Choices

Because you can’t just use plain old white bread, right? No matter the time of day, you can always account on a sandwich to fill you up. Be it a thick and greasy breakfast extravaganza with bacon, egg, and cheese or something simple and light, there’s no craving a sandwich can’t cure. And that includes sweet cravings! I mean, have you ever tried Elvis’ famous fried banana and peanut butter sandwich with bacon? To. Die. For! So what is the best bread for sandwiches? Let’s take a look at my top 13 choices.

Best Bread for Sandwiches

The best bread for sandwiches depends on the fillings. For example, if you were to make that Elvis sandwich I mentioned before, you’d need a Frech loaf (hollowed out) to make it authentic. But if you’re making a Reuben, you gotta go for rye bread. That’s why I’ve got 13 great options below, and I’ll go over when and where to use each.

1. White Bread

White bread is the most common choice of sandwich bread. It’s usually found pre-sliced in a long, square loaf. White bread is soft and fluffy with a thin crust, and the flavor is buttery and slightly sweet. This kind of mild bread is ideal for a simple bread-and-butter snack or a classic PB&J. It’s also a top choice for kids’ grilled cheese sandwiches. Basically, you can never go wrong with white bread. But it’s a little boring…

2. Sourdough Bread

Sourdough bread has a unique quality that makes it stand out among other types of bread. In order to make a loaf, you’ll need a sourdough starter. That’s how you get the signature tang. Making a starter is easy enough (mix equal parts water and flour), and once it’s bubbly, you just need to feed it once a week or so. Then, you can have tasty sourdough whenever you want! And after one bite, you’ll want it a lot! Sourdough is light but quite dense, with a distinctly tangy (sour) taste. That means it’s ideal for savory and salty sandwiched. I think it’s incredible as a BLT. But it’s also scrummy with Thanksgiving leftovers in the middle.

3. Whole Wheat Bread

Whole wheat bread is a healthier alternative to white. Made from whole grains, it’s rich in vitamins and minerals that white flour loses during the milling process. Texturally, whole wheat bread is soft and chewy, and the flavor is pretty mild. In fact, if you close your eyes, you’d never know most aren’t white. It’s ideal for everyday sandwiches, like ham and cheese or roast beef and salad.

4. French Baguette Bread

French baguettes are a well-known and popular bread. They’re often served with dinner and used to mop up sauces and soups. Baguettes are long and thin with a crispy crust and a soft and chewy interior. You can use them to make tasty bruschetta or appetizers, scrummy garlic bread, or thick, crusty sandwiches. Because of the crispy crust, I suggest using more substantial fillings. Salty cured meats and creamy cheeses are fantastic with baguettes. Anything delicate will squash under the crust as you bite. And anything too soft will seep out.

5. Rye Bread

Rye bread gets its name from the rye grain used to make it. Rye is pretty dark in color, so the more rye in the dough, the darker the bread will be. Rye bread also contains caraway seeds and some sourdough, so it has a slightly tangy flavor. This bread has a more robust flavor than most, and the texture is chewy and dense. Despite being a more flavorful bread, rye is very versatile. It pairs well with both sweet and savory ingredients. Use rye for egg salad or a salty breakfast sandwich.

6. Focaccia

Focaccia is a fantastic bread for sandwiches – regular and open-faced. And while it may seem tricky to make at home, it’s actually one of the easiest types of bread to recreate. There’s no rolling or shaping involved. And the dough doesn’t need too much kneading. Just plop the wet dough in a dish and press it out. When it’s cooked, it’s crispy on the surface with the most unique, rich, and chewy crumb. Cut it in half and fill it with meats and cheeses, or pile them on top like a pizza. Since focaccia is Italian, the best fillings and toppings include tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers, pesto, and cured meats.

7. Ciabatta

Speaking of the Mediterranean, ciabatta is another Italian bread that’s perfect for sandwiches. Ciabatta has a crispy crust with a soft inside and lots of air holes. It’s great for holding all sorts of yummy sauces. You can choose to toast ciabatta or serve it as-is. You won’t be disappointed either way. You can also use both sweet and savory toppings and fillings. Some of my favorite ciabatta fillings are ham, turkey, cheese, tomatoes, and mozzarella.

8. Potato Bread

Potato bread is not as common as, say, brioche, but should not be overlooked. Made with real mashed potatoes (hello, leftovers!), it has a savory taste and a spongy and airy texture. You’ll find it in loaves and buns, and it’s super simple to make at home. And surprisingly, potato bread is ideal for both savory and sweet fillings. It makes a beautiful grilled cheese or panini-style sandwich. But it’s just as good with banana and peanut butter for a sweet snack.

9. Vienna Bread

Vienna bread is a lovely baguette-like loaf that’s short and squat. It’s slightly sweet with a tight crumb and most often served for breakfast as a sandwich or with various toppings. Vienna bread is delicious when filled with savory ingredients, like eggs and bacon or sausage. You can also make spectacular grilled cheese or avocado toast.

10. Spelt Bread

As the name suggests, spelt bread is made with spelt flour, so it’s packed with nutrients. This particular sandwich bread has tons of protein, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals. And if you’re looking for a boost of iron, calcium, magnesium, or vitamins B and E, it’s got you covered. Spelt has a sweet, nutty flavor that’s similar to whole wheat bread. So, you can easily use it as a substitute for any white bread. Use spelt for chicken salad sandwiches or carved meats. It makes a delicious ham sandwich and tastes great with most cheeses.

11. Multi-Grain Bread

Multi-grain bread is another nutritious and delicious sandwich option. This bread has extra protein, fiber, and vitamins to help you feel fuller for longer. Multi-grain bread has an earthy, nutty flavor that pairs well with most ingredients. Thanks to the various grains, which include wheat, barley, flax, and oats, expect it to have more texture. You can use multi-grain bread for any type of sandwich since it’s a lot like whole wheat. I really enjoy it with avocado mash and crispy fried eggs.

12. Farmhouse Loaf

Farmhouse loaf is a soft, fluffy bread used to make almost any type of sandwich. The outside is slightly crispy, while the inside is super buttery. Once you’ve had this bread, you won’t want to stop eating it. It’s so good, a simple buttered slice will have you hooked. Use this bread to make sweet or savory sandwiches. It’s great fresh or toasted. I like it best when I’m craving a British bacon sandwich!

13. Seeded Bread

Seeded bread is chock-full of delightful textures and flavors. As the name suggests, it’s packed with seeds, either on top or within the dough. The most common types of seeds are millet, sunflower, poppy, pumpkin, and linseeds. Seeded bread has a rich nutty flavor that works perfectly with most savory ingredients. Toast this bread and add some butter and jam or make a yummy sandwich with any fillings you like.

Tips for Choosing the Best Sandwich Bread

If you really want to make a dynamite sandwich, choosing the best bread is crucial. Not all bread is created equal, after all, and most of them have a lot of sugar in the dough. That’s why I like sourdough and whole wheat recipes so much! But if you need some inspiration, check out the tips below:

Simple Ingredients = Simple Bread Soft bread is best if your sandwich consists of simple, delicate, or thin ingredients. For avocados, cucumbers, spreads, and mild cheeses, go for a simple white or whole wheat loaf. You don’t want to overwhelm the flavors or textures, and you don’t want to squash the fillings.
Hearty Fillings = Hearty Bread For cured meats that are chewier or thick-cut veggies, choose crusty bread. A hardier loaf will hold all of your ingredients in without falling apart. For example, if you’re making something with lots of cured meats and hard cheeses, you’ll want something like ciabatta that won’t tear easily.
Crusty Bread Isn’t Always Ideal I happen to love crusty bread, but I can’t be the only person to cut the top of their mouth on it, right? Sometimes, it’s too crusty! So, you’ll want to make sure the bread isn’t too difficult to bite into. If the crust is hard, the filling may squeeze out as you bite into it.
Soft Bread Doesn’t Pair Well with Juices and Sauces Soft bread rolls are great for burgers and pulled pork, but if you use something too soft, it might not hold up well. If you’re making a sandwich with something particularly juicy, you might want to use something firm and crusty. That way, it won’t go soggy after two minutes.