Specially Selected Small Batch Italian Loaf
You can find some excellent products in the Aldi baked goods aisle. Some of my personal favorites include brioche, cheese danishes, chocolate-covered donuts, naan, and Graintastic and Seedtastic breads.
Some of the Specially Selected breads in this aisle are especially good. We’re fans of the unsliced Specially Selected Take & Bake Italian Bread.
If you want an Italian loaf that is pre-sliced and doesn’t need to be baked, Aldi has that, too. Today, I’m looking at the Specially Selected Small Batch Italian Loaf from Aldi.
This is a Regular Buy, so you should be able to find it at Aldi all year. It’s stocked in the bakery aisle among the other breads and sweets.
We buy Aldi products for review using our own funds. I paid $3.99 for a 24-ounce Specially Selected Small Batch Italian Loaf at the time of publication. That comes out to about 17 cents per ounce.
The front of the package states this has “3 main ingredients: flour, water & salt.” It’s kosher, is certified non-GMO, and contains no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors.
The back of the bag also states:
Our breads are baked for you using authentic artisan methods in small batches, including extended natural fermentation. With non-GMO ingredients and 100% traceable seeds from grain to loaf, the result is a premium quality bread that is both delicious and nutritious.
If you’re looking out for allergens, this contains wheat.
The full ingredients list is wheat flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour), water, potato flour, sea salt, sourdough culture (wheat flour, water), and enzymes.
The package states it contains 12 servings, with one serving being “about 2 slices.” One serving has 120 calories, no fat, 270 mg of sodium (12% DV), 26 grams of total carbohydrates (9% DV), 1 gram of dietary fiber (4% DV), 1 gram of total sugars, no added sugars, and 4 grams of protein.
We enjoyed this loaf in several different ways. First, I spread it with a butter substitute, sprinkled garlic powder on it, and baked it for a few minutes to make garlic bread. Later, I served this bread with lunch meat, sliced cheese, and various sandwich condiments.
This bread was delicious both ways I served it. It’s chewy, with a nice crust, and feels like a step up from traditional grocery store bread. The simple ingredients list is nice, too.
The Verdict:
The Specially Selected Small Batch Italian Loaf features “3 main ingredients” in the form of various flours, along with water and salt. It also contains sourdough culture (wheat and water). This bread makes fantastic cold cut sandwiches, and it’s also good for making garlic bread with. If you’re in the mood to try a fancier bread from the Aldi bread aisle, this is definitely worth a look.
This Italian loaf bread reminds me of the bread my Italian Nona made—only this is sliced.
I top it with Aldi spicy Italian salami and a slice of Munster cheese and melt in the oven broiler. I buy it regularly. It makes delicious toast with butter and jam. Since there are no preservatives, it must be eaten in a few days.
I’d agree with Kathy here. This bread is a staple in our house and the only store bought bread that competes with artisan bread you’d get at a bakery or farmer’s market. We almost always eat it toasted or grilled (it makes for insane grilled cheese). Probably one of the true gems at Aldi.
I really like this bread! It does spoil quickly though, so now I put a clean dry paper towel in the bag & freeze it. I can pull out a couple of slices at a time for toast or sandwiches & it still tastes great!
We often freeze our loaf, too!
A winner in my book! It doesnt contain 101 diferent additive chemicals that most big bakery breads used, and has become my main and favorite to have with meals, or even make a grilled cheeze snack with.
Are Aldi specialty breads like this one tested for glyphosate (Round Up)? Its been found even in organic breads like Dave’s.