23 Best Brioche Substitutes – Buttery and Soft Alternatives
23 Best Brioche Substitute breads and buns! These delicious alternatives are buttery, soft, and perfect to use in place of traditional brioche bread.
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What Are Good Brioche Substitutes?
ANSWER: The best brioche bread substitutes are Challah, Hawaiian Bread, Hot Cross Buns, Greek Yogurt Bread, Cloud Bread (Low Carb gluten-free Option), Baba/Savarin, Kugelhopf, Panettone, Potato Rolls, Japanese Milk Bread (Shokupan), Texas Toast, Ciabatta (french toast), Raisin Bread, Croissants, Pullman Loaf Bread, French Bread, Portuguese Sweet Bread, Pai Bao (Asian sweet bun), Filipino Bread – Pan De Sal, Sourdough Dinner Rolls, White Bread, Condensed Milk Bread, and Homemade Brioche Bread.
FAQ
Challah bread is closest to brioche. Just like brioche bread, it has a sweetened and tender brume. It is rich and soft which makes it a great brioche substitute.
Brioche is different from other breads because it’s high in butter and eggs compared to traditional bread recipes. It has a rich and buttery flavor.
Brioche bun is high in butter and egg content, whereas a regular bun might not contain either of those ingredients. Because of the eggs and better, the brioche bun is soft and fluffy.
23 Best Brioche Bread Substitutes
1. Challah
The best brioche substitute is challah bread! It is a traditional Jewish bread that has a similar flavor and texture to brioche. It is usually eaten during holidays and celebrations. Just like brioche, it is high in eggs and butter content.
2. Hawaiian Bread / Portuguese Sweet Bread
Hawaiian sweet bread is a type of bread that originated in Hawaii. Just like brioche, this bread is high in eggs and butter content. Because of the high egg content, the bread has a golden-yellow hue. It is sweet in flavor and has a soft and tender crumb.
This bread is commercially available. Kings Hawaiian Bread is a popular brand that you can find at almost any grocery store.
3. Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns are a bread that is traditionally served during Easter. Just like brioche, this soft bread is high in butter and eggs. It has a sweet flavor and tender texture. This would make a great brioche substitute.
4. Japanese Milk Bread (Shokupan)
Shokupan, also known as Japanese milk bread, is a soft and white fluffy bread that is slightly sweet. The crumb on this bread is AMAZINGLY soft! Seriously, one of the softest breads out there. It is made using the tangzhong method, which involves making a roux of flour and water on the stovetop.
5. Greek Yogurt Bread
Greek yogurt bread has an amazingly soft and fluffy texture that is similar to brioche bread. It is not as sweet as brioche bread. However, due to its soft crumb, it would make a great substitute.
6. Texas Toast
Texas toast is a type of bread that is sliced thicker than regular sandwich bread. It is great on the stovetop with butter and garlic! Because it is sliced thick, it works amazingly well as French toast. So make sure to get out your maple syrup for this delicious bread.
Best of all, this brioche bread substitute is readily available in grocery stores. You won’t have trouble finding this bread.
7. Ciabatta
If you are looking for a dairy-free brioche substitute, ciabatta is your best bet.
Ciabatta is an Italian bread that has a chewy texture, crisp crust, and open crumb. It is great for sandwiches. It is also great for French toast.
No, it is not fluffy and sweet like brioche is. However, it is made without eggs and butter. It is low fat and low sugar, which is perfect if you are on a diet.
8. Potato Rolls
No brioche burger buns? No problem! You can use potato rolls. These go great with burgers! Some people even prefer potato buns over brioche buns.
Potato rolls are made with mashed potatoes as the main ingredient, hence the name. The mashed potatoes provide moisture, softness, and a potato flavor to the bread.
9. Croissants
This is the best eggless brioche alternative. Croissants aren’t just a good substitute for brioche, it’s more of an upgrade. I’m only slightly kidding, but hey the French know their bread!
Croissants is a flakey bread that is high in butter. This classic French bread is made using the lamination technique.
10. Cloud Bread – Low-Carb, gluten-free Option
For those who are looking for a low-carb and gluten-free option, why not try cloud bread? Cloud bread, also known as “oopsie bread” is made up of eggs, cream cheese or Greek yogurt, and optional sweetener. You can add flavorings to it such as vanilla extract, herbs, and spices.
11. White Bread
Traditional white bread is another good substitute for brioche. Since white bread is made with an enriched dough, it will have the sweetness and fluffy texture that brioche has.
This bread is easy to find and sold at every grocery store. You can find it presliced in the bread section. There are tons of brands to choose from.
12. Condensed Milk Bread
One of the best substitutes for brioche bread is condensed milk bread. It is sweet and has a fluffy and soft texture. It is made with consensed milk as one of the main ingredients.
This bread can be enjoyed on its own, toasted with butter, or used as a sandwich base.
13. Baba/Savarin
French Saravin is a ring-shaped cake that is soaked in flavored syrup. It is topped with cream and fresh fruit.
Baba and Saravin dough are both the same. It is called saravin if the dough is shaped round.
14. Kugelhopf
Kugelhoph is not a bread! This baked treat is more like a cake. It is a special type of cake that comes from France. It is made with a sweetened yeast dough and usually has raisins, almonds, and candied fruits.
During the holidays and various celebrations throughout the year, Kugelhopf is usually served as a dessert or a treat.
15. Panettone
Panettone is a yummy Italian sweet bread that comes from Milan and is mostly baked and eaten around Christmas and New Year. It’s tall and round on top and is usually filled with candied fruits and bits of citrus peel. Panettone is super soft and light, kind of like brioche, and it tastes a little sweet.
16. Raisin Bread
Another great option for a substitute is raisin bread! This sweet bread is great for French toast and bread pudding.
17. Pullman Loaf Bread
Pullman bread is SO delicious! Also known as pain de mie in French, this type of sandwich bread is square with tight crumb.
Pullman bread is made in a square loaf pan that has a lid, which gives it its square shape.
This is great for sandwiches and French toast.
18. French Bread – Baguette
is Another great option for those who are vegan or looking for a low-fat alternative. French bread is made with just flour, salt, water, and active dry yeast.
French bread, also known as the baguette, is a long bread with a crispy crust and chewy interior.
It is perfect for French toast (make sure it turns into stale bread overnight).
19. Sourdough Bread
If you are looking for a brioche substitute to pair with savory dishes, you should consider a loaf of sourdough bread. It is great for sandwiches and to eat as a side dish.
Sourdough is made with just three ingredients: flour, water, and salt. It is perfect for those who are looking for a vegan brioche buns alternative.
20. Pai Bao (Asian sweet bun)
Pai Bao is a soft and fluffy bread that is popular in Asian bakeries and cuisine. It means “pineapple bun” in English. However, this bread does not have any pineapples in it!!! (Nope, not even pineapple juice).
The outside of this bread is topped with a sweet topping that is made with sugar, flour, butter, and sometimes milk powder.
21. Filipino Bread – Pan De Sal
Pan De Sal is a staple in Filipino food. I am Filipino and grew up eating pan de sal every day! The name in Spanish translates to “Bread of salt”. However, do not be fooled. This bread is not salty in the slightest.
Pan de sal is a sweet bread that is eaten as a breakfast item or as a snack.
22. Sourdough Dinner Rolls
Why not make sourdough dinner rolls whenever you want a brioche substitute? These are a great substitute for buns or rolls. These bread rolls have no yeast in them and rely on the sourdough starter for their first rise and second rise.
The rise time will be longer than doughs made with instant yeast. However, the sourdough adds a tang to the rolls that pairs well with the sweet flavor.
23. Homemade Brioche Bread
If you love baking, then you should try making brioche bread at home! It isn’t that difficult, I promise. This option is the best one! You’ll get an authentic loaf of bread with no added ingredients.
Since brioche dough is high in butter and eggs, it is best to make this in a stand mixer for best results. Sure, you can knead by hand but it will take quite some time.
You can make a traditional brioche loaf of bread or brioche rolls with the dough. Moreover, you can try my brioche recipe for hot cross buns.
Other Posts You May Like
Easy Brioche Hot Cross Buns With Glaze (VIDEO)
How To Freeze Brioche Bread And Reheat It
How Long Does Brioche Bread Last – Tips To Extend Shelf Life
Easy Brioche Hot Cross Buns VIDEO
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Equipment
Ingredients
Spiced Brioche Dough
- ¾ Cup Milk 180ml warmed to about 110°F
- 2 ¼ Teaspoons Yeast one packet
- ½ Cup Sugar 100 grams
- 3 Eggs Large, 50 grams each
- 3 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour 420 grams
- 1 ¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- ¾ Cup Butter 169 grams, room temperature
- 1 Cup Raisins 160 grams
Flour Cross
- ½ Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 7 Tablespoons Water
Icing
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar 120 grams
- 3 Tablespoons Milk
Instructions
- Place one cup of raisins (or the add-in of your choice) in a bowl. Fill the bowl with hot water and let it sit for ten minutes.
- Prepare the dough: In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Cover and let sit for five minutes until it becomes foamy. (See notes if you do not own a stand mixer)
- Add the eggs, flour, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt into the mixer bowl. Using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed for one minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Then, knead on high speed until you see no more patches of flour.
- Now, add the butter a little at a time. Continue mixing on medium speed for about ten minutes. The dough should come together. If it does not, then add ¼ cup of flour and keep kneading until the dough comes together.
- Drain the raisins (or other add-ins) and add it to the dough. Knead on low for about one minute until they are incorporated and evenly distributed.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a large greased bowl and cover. Let rise in a warm place for about two hours or until doubled in size.
- Shape: Once the dough has doubled, place it on a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. It doesn't have to be perfect! Take each piece and shape it into a ball. Then, place the shaped dough ball into a greased baking dish.
- Second Rise: Cover the shaped dough balls and let rise in a warm spot for one hour until doubled.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add The Cross: Whisk the cross ingredients together. You want a thick flour and water paste that will pipe easily. If it is too thick, add another tablespoon of water. Place the paste into a small piping bag (or a ziplock bag with the corner cut off). Pipe a line down the center of each row of buns, then pipe it in the other direction to create crosses.
- Bake: Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. If the tops are browning too quickly, loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent tops of the buns from getting too dark. Let them cool on a cooling rack.
- Icing: While the buns are cooling down, whisk the icing ingredients together. Then, brush the icing on the buns once they are ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- Check out my post for step-by-step photos and a short video. They are there to help you out.
