7 Best Trader Joe’s Breads of All Time, According to a Former Employee

I think this is a great thing; do you want a loaf of bread that’s “fresh” for a month? Not me. Give me the near-daily bread. In fact, I’ve tried pretty much all of them — 22 in total — to figure out which are the best of the bunch for sandwiches, croutons, French toast, all the things that are good in this world, to be honest. 

These are the seven I’d happily add to my weekly haul. Just remember: These loaves are going to be happier in the freezer if you’re not planning to finish them within two to three days. 

One more thing to keep in mind: Bread availability varies depending on where your Trader Joe’s (as well as where its suppliers and warehouses) is located, much more than other products in the store. Plus, many Trader Joe’s stores partner with local bakeries like Bread Lounge in Los Angeles, which also impacts availability. I’m located in Southern California, and stuck to Trader Joe’s store-brand loaves across the board for the most consistency. 

When you’re in search of a can-do-it-all, will-do-it-all bread, you can rest assured the Buttermilk Bread is your loaf. Toasting up beautifully, but also spongey and soft right out of the bag, it has a subtle, creamy tang thanks to the eponymous buttermilk, making it versatile for something sweet like a Nutella and banana sandwich or a savory Turkey club. Upon first bite, I’m sure you’ll find that this is a loaf that also screams, “Dredge me in eggs and milk and fry me up; I was born to be French toast!” And who are we to deny it? 

When I worked at Trader Joe’s, there were certain products that could cause a low-key frenzy, if they went out of stock for more than a few weeks (I’m talking constant phone calls, reserving whole cases, wiping out our freshly restocked stash within minutes, etc.). Both the frozen naan breads (garlic and tandoori) were on that level, and it’s easy to see why.

Each package has four naan that’ll bake up to rival that of your favorite Indian spot — roasty, doughy with plenty of chew, these breads crisp up like a dream and are one of my favorites for eating with soup or using as a stand-in for pizza dough. Be sure to do the smart thing and brush them with a bit of melted butter once they’re fully cooked.

Trader Joe’s French baguettes may earn points by being ever so Instagrammable popping out of a tote bag (or seen on the back of a Vespa), this is true. But the ciabatta demi-baguette will always be my number one. Think of it, why should one have to choose between a crusty baguette or an airy ciabatta? With the Ciabatta Demi-Baguette, you don’t have to.

This loaf feels like it went through a baguette focus group; it makes up for so many of the faults in baguettes. For one, it’s wider and able to fully contain so many sandwich fillings (I love a jambon beurre with sliced dates, TBH) without anything falling out. Plus, it’s incredibly soft (no need to dig your canines in too deep here) and full of cavernous, yeasty bubbles that’ll be so accommodating for that oozing baked brie, leftover bolognese, or olive oil and herbs. My tote bag runneth over!

I’ve waxed poetically before about why I shouldn’t be left unattended with French bread, and this Hearth-Baked French Loaf is another reason why. It really nails the crustiness and slight tang of a bakery baguette, but comes in a conveniently sliced form for all your bread-related needs.

Personally, these are my pick for a crostini base. It’s not too thick yet crisps up to be a hearty, sturdy canvas for you to paint with all the colors of your kitchen (I like schmearing browned butter and topping with sliced peppery radishes to triple the French-ness).

Trader Joe’s offers more than a few multigrain bread options, and this seedy loaf proves that those kernels are not merely a decorative sprinkle. If you’re a Big Texture person, this is your loaf. It is not shy with the mix-ins here, featuring seven grains and seeds in total (sesame, flax, sunflower, millet, barley, rye flakes, oat flakes) to craft a savory yet malty bread that you could truly eat right out of the bag (as I did). 

When I’m not crafting tons of cute little sandwiches with this bread, you can also catch me using it to make some Stupid Good croutons. Whatever you decide to make, put a slice in the toaster and delight in the crackly seeds crisping up and adding even more earthiness to the whole shebang. Dinner and a show!

Isn’t all bread the start of a sandwich? Not anymore, as these Sandwich Starters are the best in the biz to ever do it. As I’ve written before, sandwiches are just the start for these airy, ciabatta-esque sliced buns. 

Touched with peppery olive oil and presliced for all the sandwiches of your carb-fueled daydreams, these tender, yet chewy party-starters will be just as great as a toast points costar with your next charcuterie board, or pressed into a jam-brie-turkey panini. As convenient as they are tasty, these Sandwich Starters beg the question, why don’t we all picnic every single day?

When I was 19, I visited San Francisco by myself and found my first true love: sourdough bread. I was so infatuated that I went once a day (sometimes twice) to eat (and sniff) the tangy, crusted loaves being churned out at Boudin by the Fisherman’s Wharf. I now live quite a few hundred miles away from those exact $6 loaves, but I don’t miss them too fiercely because of Trader Joe’s own Sourdough Sandwich Bread. 

While the flavor of sourdough starters will vary all over the country, this particular bread has never let me down whether I get it on the East Coast or the West. Equal parts nutty yet distinctly sour and ripe, this Sourdough Sandwich Bread shouldn’t be limited to sandwiches alone (although it makes a wildly good grilled cheese). I’ll often cube this up to make a killer homemade stuffing, toast up for a panzanella salad, or turn into breadcrumbs for homemade meatballs.

Did your favorite Trader Joe’s bread make the list? Tell us about it in the comments below.