Ener-G bread loaves were some of the first gluten-free and allergy-friendly bread options on the market. I often describe this company as a functional brand. They offer different varieties of breads for nearly every dietary need, including sodium-free, low protein, phenylalanine-free, high fiber, preservative-free, and more.
But this company doesn’t fall victim to food trends, nor do they waste money on excessive marketing. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I saw a promotion of any kind from Ener-G. And product changes are slow and methodical. That said, over the decades, the Ener-G Bread line has seen some additions and improvements.
Ener-G has shifted most of their breads to oxygen-free packaging, which allows the loaves to stay fresh for up to one year. They’ve also come out with a second “Select” bread line, that’s made with eggs. But this post covers their classic egg-free and plant-based loaves. Because there are still plenty of them … over 20 varieties in fact!
Ener-G Bread Plant-Based Loaves Free of Gluten, Dairy, Nuts and Soy
We’ve sampled quite a few of their products, some of which have sadly been discontinued, but most of the Ener-G bread loaves have persisted. Our trials included two of the more popular options, the Tapioca Light Loaf and the Brown Loaf.
Tapioca Light Loaf
The bakers at Ener-G are quite serious with the name of the Tapioca Light Loaf. The entire thing weighs just 8 ounces, and one slice is just 70 calories. Adults will love these snack-sized portions, and kids will enjoy eating a whole sandwich for themselves as each slice is perfectly sized for little hands.
This Tapioca Loaf has a very mild flavor and an aftertaste that was quite similar to traditional white bread. Overall, it went with just about everything: dairy-free buttery spreads, jam, peanut butter, honey, you name it. Though it was gluten-free, the bread held together fairly well. We were able to enjoy it as the base for chunkier sandwiches, such as tuna fish, without a single collapse. That said, it has a very unique dry and brittle texture, which was a little odd as is, but delightful once toasted. In fact, once heated, my husband had no idea it was gluten-free.
Ingredients: filtered water, rice flour, tapioca starch, high oleic safflower oil, pear juice concentrate, bamboo fiber, organic palm fruit oil, yeast, modified cellulose, guar gum, organic tapioca syrup, salt, orange citrus fiber, baking powder (glucono delta lactone, calcium carbonate & magnesium carbonate). enriched with thiamin (vitamin b1), riboflavin (vitamin b2), niacin, iron, folic acid.
Nutrition (per slice): 45 calories, 2g fat, 7g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g sugars, 0g protein.*
Brown Loaf
If you want to up your nutritional game, Ener-G has packed a lot of goodness into their little Brown Loaf. It is surprisingly dense and very heavy. Yet the shape makes slices that are sized perfectly for little hands or light snacks. I liked the flavor, which was somewhat “wheat-y.”
Although the Brown Loaf is a good contender for the gluten free, the texture was definitely different from your average gluten-containing yeast bread. It was soft with a very fine granular texture that seems to be common with gluten-free breads. Overall, it did not crumble, an incredible bonus, however it did tend to break apart easily. For this reason, we don’t recommend it for very full sandwiches. Luckily, it makes great PB & J’s. It is also marvelous toasted for a light snack with some butter, jam, or a savory spread such as hummus.
Ingredients: filtered water, brown rice flour, rice flour, tapioca starch, pear juice concentrate, high oleic safflower oil, yeast, modified cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, orange citrus fiber,baking powder (glucono delta lactone, calcium carbonate & magnesium carbonate), enriched with thiamin (vitamin b1), riboflavin vitamin b2), niacin, iron, folic acid and vitamin d.
Nutrition (per slice): 100 calories, 3g fat, 16g carbs, 1g fiber, 2g sugars, 1g protein.*
More Ener-G Bread Plant-Based Loaves
- Brown Rice Loaf
- Classic White Loaf
- Corn Loaf (as available)
- Egg-Free Raisin Loaf (as available)
- High Fiber Loaf
- Light Brown Rice Loaf
- Light Classic White Loaf
- Light Multigrain Loaf
- Light Tapioca Loaf
- Light White Rice Flax Loaf
- Light White Rice Loaf
- Multigrain Loaf
- Papas Loaf
- Tapioca Loaf – Thin Sliced
- Texas Toast Loaf
- White Rice Flax Loaf
- White Rice Loaf
- Yeast-Free Brown Rice Loaf
- Yeast-Free White Rice Loaf
More Allergen Notes
As for their great care with ingredients and processes, Ener-G shares the following on their allergen protocol:
Ener-G Foods’ facilities are dedicated wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut free, tree-nut free, soy free, and kosher certified. The company has three separately owned production lines.
The bakery production line uses Egg Powder and Dry Whole Eggs for a limited number of products. These products are produced on separate equipment (pans, bowls, etc) and are separated when not in use. The only common equipment for these known allergens and other products are the ovens but the food product is never in contact with the oven at any time. These products are all labeled with the Ener-G Select Brand to designate that they contain Eggs.
More Facts on Ener-G Bread Plant-Based Loaves
Price: $5.49 to $6.99 per loaf
Availability: Ener-G Bread Loaves are sold in the packaged bread section near the bakery or in the gluten-free section at some natural food stores in the U.S. and Canada. You can also order them online direct from the company via their website below.
Certifications: Ener-G Bread Loaves are Certified Kosher Parve and select varieties are Non-GMO Verified.
Dietary Notes: By ingredients, the plant-based varieties of Ener-G Bread Loaves are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.*
For More Product Information: Visit the Ener-G website at www.ener-g.com.
The worst gf bread I ever tasted
This bread is terrible. It feels grainy in your mouth. Ener-g gluten free classic white bread does not taste natural or like bread. It tastes pasty and literally like grain or sand in your mouth. I have been gluten free for twelve (12) years and this is the worst I have ever had the misfortune to taste. When I contacted the company it took four voice messages before they called me back and then told me they had sent several messages which they did not. I asked for a refund and they said they could not do that. So they do not back up or guarantee their product. Not a good company and not a good product!
Wierd texture
Not good at all
Was ok
This bread was alright. Definitely tasted spongier than other brands and left an unpleasant film in my mouth. I’ll finish the loaf but will probably stick to another brand
Great Bread!
My son who has allergies tried the bread and loves it!!!!! Thank goodness I do not need to search any further for a bread that he’ll eat. I’m so excited about finding this bread at my local grocery store!!!
This bread is amazing
I have been having stomach issues and decided to quit eating gluten as the doctor said that I may be gluten intolerant. I have tried many brands of gluten free bread on the market and have even tried to make some myself. I preferred my bread to the store bought. I was in the grocery store when I seen the Ener-G bread in the gluten free isle and on a whim decided to try the sourdough. I had not seen sourdough before and have missed my favorite grilled cheese. This was the best tasting grilled cheese sandwich I have had since going gluten free and this morning I tried a piece as toast with just butter and was pleasantly surprised at how similar it was to regular white bread, I will buying this bread from now on and saving myself the hours of baking bread myself.
Gluten free yeast free bread.
I have a gluten and yeast allergy.. Just got this allergy a few years ago.. I’m a big bread lover and lived my whole life on carbs.. Now I’m Never satisfied with my meals. Recently I found the ener g bread and to my surprise, it is really good compared to ANY gluten free bread I’ve ever wasted money on.. I am obsessed with the bread now, and always buy 2 or three loaves to last me a week or two.. THANK YOU for making such a bread!! ✅
Brown Rice GF Bread
It’s delicious. I happy to have bread for my allergies%
Good allergy-friendly standby
While I don’t expect these old-school gluten-free breads to win any awards, they’re a pretty good allergy-friendly standby (no nuts, dairy or soy around – vegan, too) with a huge selection. Toasting helps some varieties hit the mark, as the consistency can be quite dry and “breakable” compared to competitors.