Bread is a universally loved food, typically made from wheat. It is a staple in Australian cuisine, where it's often the principal ingredient in sandwiches. If you want to use bread for more than just a little toast and butter in the morning, then find out more about its sheer diversity and the various dishes it features in. For example, you might not know that many salad recipes include bread.
Since bread also pairs well with dairy products, you'll often find it featured in cheese recipes. Read on to discover some of the main types of bread and how to use them in home cooking.
What types of bread are there?
There are hundreds of different types of bread in the world, typically made into loaves or individual portions, which are sold as rolls. As such, this versatile food comes in many forms.
20 different types of bread
Here are 20 different types of bread you will find in Australian supermarkets and bakeries today:
- White bread: Perfect for toast or sandwiches, this is a mainstay in Australia.
- Wholemeal bread: Higher in fibre than white bread, this one is often thought to be healthier.
- Multigrain bread: Containing grains and seeds, this type of bread often has a nuttier texture.
- Sourdough: Made from a natural fermentation process, this bread is delicious.
- Ciabatta: An Italian light bread, this type is great for lunchtime.
- Baguette: A classic French bread, this type is distinguishable by its long shape.
- Rye bread: A favourite in Australia, this is a dense type of bread.
- Pita bread: Mediterranean flatbread made without yeast.
- Naan bread: From South Asia, this flatbread often comes with coriander.
- Tiger bread: With a distinctive look, this bread is crusty on top.
- Focaccia: An Italian bread, this one contains rosemary, olive oil, and other ingredients like olives.
- Challah: This is a traditional loaf eaten in Jewish families with a distinctive braided appearance.
- Brioche: This bread has a sweet, almost cake-like flavour and texture.
- Bagels: These o-shaped breads are made in a huge number of varieties, but plain ones are just as delicious.
- Tortillas: These flatbreads are often used in Central and South American cooking for wraps.
- Soda bread: Not to be confused with sourdough, this type of bread uses baking soda to speed up its preparation time.
- Granary: This type of bread is made with malted wheat, which gives its distinctive flavour.
- Chapati: This is an unleavened bread made from whole wheat flour that's popular in India.
- Pumpernickel: A type of rye bread that has a lengthy baking process for a strong depth of flavour.
- Gluten-free bread: Made without grains containing gluten, this type of bread is for people sensitive to wheat products.
Types of bread rolls
Generally speaking, all of the above types of bread can be made into rolls, with the exception of flatbreads. For example, brioche is often made into buns.
Bread rolls often go by different names, depending on where you are in Australia. For instance, some Australians might refer to them as baps, buns, or cob rolls, with regional preferences varying widely.
Different types of bread recipes
This cheesy garlic bread recipe is a good one to learn if you want to use bread in more interesting ways in your cooking. For something a little spicier, this halloumi bake with garlic bread recipe offers just the right amount of heat.
Baking your own bread takes a little effort, especially when getting the hang of recipes that require you to prove your dough before baking it. That said, homemade bread smells appetising, and it is a great way to impress guests at a dinner party, especially if you serve it as a starter with paté, cheese or tapenade.
Bread types suited to particular cuisines
Different types of bread recipes should be served, depending on what other food you are preparing. As a guide to global cuisines, here are the types of bread you should be pairing with some of the most common ones:
- South Asia: Naan, chapati and puri.
- France: Baguette, brioche and pain de campagne.
- Italy: Ciabatta, pane Toscano and focaccia.
- Spain: Pan con tomate and bollo.
- North America: Cornbread, bagels and sourdough.
- South America: Tortilla and arepa.
- Africa: Injera, mandazi and foufou.
If you're interested in other types of food, check out options like flatbread recipes for versatile meals, or explore our meal kits and food boxes to simplify cooking at home.
Types of Bread FAQ
What are some bread names?
Some well-known bread names in Australia include rye bread, naan bread, ciabatta and sourdough. There is also white-sliced bread, brioche, baguettes and pita, among many others.
What is the most famous bread?
Globally, the humble baguette is one of the best-known bread types, associated with simplicity, versatility and French cultural significance. Pita, sourdough and naan bread are also famous around the world.
How many types of bread are there in the world?
There are hundreds of different types of bread in the world made commercially. Since people often bake their own bread following unique recipes, the true number is literally countless.
What is the best bread to eat every day?
It's a good idea to switch up the types of bread you eat, but if you were to stick to one variety, then multigrain would be a strong contender. It is high in fibre, minerals, and vitamins and offers textural variety.
What are the three types of bread?
Although there are many different types of bread, they break down into three distinct categories: yeast-based, quick bread and flatbread. Examples of each are white bread, cornbread and pita bread, respectively.