The Best Bread Recipes for Soup
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You read that right, today I am sharing the best bread recipes for soup! Is there anything better than a steaming bowl of soup and fresh baked bread? Soup is one my favorite things to eat, I am excited to share with you the best bread for soup!
And the reason for the roundup for the best bread for soup? Because every soup is a little different, just like every bread is a bit different!
Whether you are a beginner bread baker, experienced bread baker or somewhere in between — you are in the right place! I have bread recipes for every level, palate, dietary restriction and time frame. Plus, I’ve done some soup pairing with many of the fresh bread recipes, you will love these soups!
Use this handy table of contents below to take you directly to the section you are interested in. Or browse them all for some great soup and bread ideas!
Why these are the Best Bread for Soup
- A huge variety, find everything from homemade bread bowls to artisan bread like focaccia. Quickbreads to light and airy yeasted breads; something for everyone!
- For my gluten-free and celiac friends out there, I’ve got a whole section of Gluten-Free Bread recipes that go with soup too!
- Fresh baked bread beats stale bread any day, unless you are making croutons or baked french toast, then stale bread rules!
Basic Bread Baking Ingredients
Every great recipe starts with quality ingredients, these are just a guide and my favorite bread baking ingredients. Be sure to browse the recipes below and print the recipe card.
FLOUR | every bread or roll recipe starts with flour, of some kind.
- Bread Flour | I love King Arthur bread flour and Bob’s Red Mill Bread Flour
- Unbleached All Purpose Flour | I love using organic here, be sure to use the type of flour recommended in the recipe, the gluten content changes with the flour type.
- Specialty Flours | Some recipes call for Whole Wheat flour, Rye Flour, Spelt flour, rice flour, garbanzo flour or Whole Wheat pastry flour
- Gluten-Free Flour | There are many options and varieties out there, but my favorite GF blends are Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 and King Arthur Cup for Cup.
LIQUID | Most bread recipes require some form of liquid.
- Water | Read the recipe carefully, some recipes call for room temperature water or warm water.
- Milk | some recipes use milk, it might use warm milk, heated milk, or room temperature milk, some recipes even use yogurt and plant based milks.
Types of YEAST
If making yeasted breads and rolls, you need yeast, there are actually 6 different types.
- Active Dry Yeast (this is traditional yeast) – It needs to be activated in warm water.
- Instant Yeast – pretty much the same as active dry yeast but does not need to be proofed or activated in warm water.
- Bread Machine Yeast | this typically comes in a jar and while it is great for use in bread machines or with pizza dough, you can usually use it for other breads as well.
- Fresh Yeast | I used to see this all the time at the grocery stores, it was stored near in the dairy products — nowadays you don’t see it too often.
- Rapid Rise Yeast | Rapid rise yeast works best when a short rise is needed.
- Wild Yeast | commonly known as sourdough starter, yes, it’s actually a yeast! Try my friend Julie’s sourdough bread starter if you have never tried it!
SALT & SUGAR
Salt gives all baked goods great flavor and sugar; both granulated and brown sugar will aid in feeding the yeast.
OTHER | Some bread recipes call for eggs or an egg wash, I typically use large eggs for my baking. You might also find some recipes that use a little olive oil or other oils or even butter in some bread recipes.
Herbs, spices, molasses, dried fruit, and even coffee are found in some recipes. And even still there are unique breads that use seeds like caraway, fennel, poppy seeds and even sesame seeds.
Best Bread Baking Equipment
Here are a few tools you will find handy when baking bread, from easy recipes to the more complex Dutch Oven recipes,
- Large Bowl | love my Mason Cash mixing bowls, they are sturdy, solid, can go from fridge to oven for proofing and so much more. Invest in a good mixing bowl.
- Sharp Knife | Whether you are chopping ingredients or scoring your bread, you want a nice sharp knife — a bench scraper also comes in handy.
- Baking Sheet | My favorite sheet pans are these USA made ½ sheet pans, they are sturdy, clean up amazingly easy and are workhorses in the kitchen, baking everything from rolls to cookies, to catching spills. Don’t forget the parchment paper.
- Measuring Cups | You want solid, accurate measuring cups for dry ingredients as well as liquid measuring cups, may favorite are glass, but I also love these angled measuring cups. — and as long as we’re talking about measuring, a kitchen scale is also a must especially if you are working with a more advanced bread recipe.
- Stand Mixer | While not necessary, people have been baking bread for centuries without a stand mixer with a dough hook, but they DO make your job so much easier!
- Pizza Stone | if you are making pizza to go with your soup (oh yeah!), or maybe just baking some breadsticks or biscuits, a pizza stone adds lovely color to baked goods!
- Fancy Equipment | Most of the time you can easily get by with everyday equipment, simple ingredients and a good hot oven! Things like a proofing basket, dough whisk or French-style lame are nice, but not required.
- Bread Machine | Again, this is not a must have, I do have a few recipes that start in the bread machine and finish in the oven. This is my dream bread machine.
- Dutch Oven | If you have been on social media the past few years, you know that Dutch oven artisan bread baking has taken the world by storm! Super versatile — bake bread, make amazing soups, stews, braise ribs and more. Low to High Quality Priced are available, purchase what you can afford, you will have this for decades.
Best Bread Baking Tips
- If this is the first time you are making a recipe, read it all the way through — I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been caught with — allow to rise overnight in the fridge, or be sure to find a warm place for the second rise. So read it all the way through so you know what is ahead of you.
- Unless otherwise called for, start your recipes using room temperature ingredients.
- If it’s a cold day and you keep your house cool, be sure to warm your oven to 100 degrees and then shut off BEFORE you place your dough in for the first rise.
- Place some flour in a small airtight container and keep near your bread working surface, then you can grab a little bit of flour to dust the floured surface you will be working on.
- Preheat your oven and while you are at it, invest in an oven thermometer so you know that your oven is heating to the correct temperature.
- Store yeast in the fridge if not using often, and if less frequent, store in the freezer. Sealed in an airtight container.
- Not sure if your yeast is still good? In a small bowl dissolve ½ teaspoon sugar in ¼ cup warm water and add one package or 2 teaspoons of yeast to the mixture, stir gently, wait 10 minutes. If the yeast is alive, it will smell yeasty and will be bubbly or foamy, if it’s dead, it will pretty much look the same as when you started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sourdough and Rye breads go great with hearty soups and tomato based soups.
A crusty bread like French bread, Italian bread or baguettes are great with both creamy and brothy soups as they hold up well to dipping.
White bread is super absorbent and doesn’t have strong flavors, so it goes well with full-bodied and heartier soups.
Multigrain bread is perfect for the earthy soups, like Minestrone or a good Beef Stew.
Cornbread, Biscuits and Beer Bread all pair very well with chili’s, stews, pot roasts that require sopping up.
Yes, you sure can, just like you put croutons or a slice of toasted french bread with parmesan cheese into a steaming bowl of French Onion soup, you can actually bulk up or thicken a soup by adding pieces of bread to the soup.
Typically a round, bowl-sized loaf of bread, with the top removed and the inside hollowed out to make room for the soup to be ladled in. Larger than a roll but smaller than a loaf of bread and are a great way to serve soup. The best part, you can eat your bowl! Try making your own bread bowls using this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
Any bread with yeast, typically requires at least one rise, two rises for the best texture and flavor. But breads made without yeast; such as with baking powder, baking soda or other leavening agents will do their rising in the oven, while baking.
My Favorite Yeasted Bread & Roll Recipes
Here are the best yeasted bread recipes for soup. I know you will have fun browsing these great recipes from some of the best bloggers!
My personal favorite are these Easy Yeast Rolls. They are so stinking simple — what I would call a beginner bread recipe. But read on for many more great bread & roll recipes.
Best Yeasted Bread & Roll Recipes
Challah Buns (Challah Rolls)
These could be a meal by themselves, paired with your favorite soup or stew -- I am pretty sure you will be in bread heaven.
Sweet Molasses Brown Bread Rolls
These are just like the small bread loves you get from Outback Steakhouse or Cheesecake Factory, only better -- pair these heartier rolls with something like this Healthy Cheeseburger Soup.
Bread Machine Italian Breadsticks
Put together this easy recipe all with the ease of your bread machine! Perfect to go with any Italian soup.
Pretzel Rolls Recipe - Mini Pretzel Buns, Great for Sliders!
Pretzel buns have taken the world by storm, we love them in our house, rich, chewy and a little extra salt. Pair these with this Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque.
Easiest French Bread Recipe
Easy, peasy French bread recipe! Perfectly crunchy outside and soft and tender inside!
Focaccia Recipe Easy Authentic with Olives, Tomatoes & Rosemary!
Soft, flavorful and filled with yummy veggies, this focaccia bread goes great with a Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup.
Easy Homemade Naan
Homemade Naan bread will bring any meal to new levels, buttery, soft, tender and super easy to make. Pair this naan bread with a slurpy stew like Crockpot Butter Chicken.
Bake Your Own Focaccia Bread: A Mediterranean Recipe
You can bake your own fluffy and chewy and wonderfully flavored focaccia bread! Pair focaccia with this Spanish Bean soup!
Instant Pot Dinner Rolls
Have you ever made your dinner rolls in the Instant Pot -- I'm so excited about these rolls, they go great with everything!
Prosciutto Bread (aka Lard Bread)
This bread has caught my attention! Who doesn't love prosciutto!! Pair this fun bread with my Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup.
Easy Italian White Bread
Easy and Italian?!? I am in, soft, fluffy and delicious, this bread would pair with any soup or stew!
Easy Homemade Baguette Recipe
This quick and easy homemade french baguette recipe is simple to make and the hands on time is fast! Crusty outside and fluffy inside makes it perfect for creamy or brothy soups, try it with my Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup.
Crock Pot Bread with Garlic and Parmesan
Make this flavorful bread right in your crockpot!! Bet you haven't done that before!
5 Minute Artisan Olive Oil Bread
In just minutes you have this artisan bread ready to rise, then use it anyway you'd like! Bread, rolls, pizza dough even sweet rolls!
Braided Italian Pesto Bread Recipe
All of the herby flavors in this beautiful bread will make for a show stopper, doesn't matter what you serve it with!
Recipe for Easy Dinner Rolls
This quick and easy recipe for dinner rolls produces the most delicious soft and fluffy rolls in just 45 minutes! Yes, 45 minutes! These buttery, herby dinner rolls are the perfect fast and easy recipe to go with your lunch and dinner dishes.
Bazlama Turkish Pita style Flatbread (Pan Roasted)
This flatbread creates a pocket in the middle just like pita bread, but the dough here is more bready and airy, due to the use of yeast. Pair with your favorite stew or curry.
Homemade Cheese Breadsticks Recipe
Light and airy, and oh so cheesy these breadsticks would be delicious on their own or served with a brothy Italian soup.
Cob Bread
A basic white bread that is great for beginners, wow your family by serving this beautiful loaf of bread. Or make smaller rolls or even bread bowls out of the dough.
Spinach Feta Bread - Bread Machine Recipe
When you want to pack a little more vegetables into your dinner, pair this soft yeast bread with a milder and brothy soup since it is almost a meal in itself.
Braided Bread
There is nothing like the beauty of a glossy, challah braided bread! Serve warm from the oven with chicken noodle soup for the win.
Homemade No Knead Yeast Rolls Recipe (Using A Blender)
A unique roll in that you make the dough in a blender! How easy is that, you can make these rolls for dinner tonight!
No Kneading Dutch Oven Bread
This bread recipe is on repeat -- it doesn't get any easier than a no-knead bread, but plan ahead because no-knead breads need time to rise, usually overnight.
Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
Breadsticks go great with just about any soup, but I particularly think of a yummy Zuppa Toscana!
Pretzel Bites {Air Fryer or Oven Baked}
These pretzel bites (made in the Air Fryer or Oven) are perfect to use as a crouton in your favorite soup, especially delicious in a French Onion Soup.
No Rise Pizza Dough
Make a luscious pizza margarita and serve alongside a chilled basil tomato soup.
Cranberry Walnut Bread (No Knead)
While we love this bread for breakfast, we have definitely broken into it for dinner as well. Pair this cranberry bread with luscious and creamy Autumn Squash Soup.
Bavarian Pretzel | Traditional German Pretzels (Laugenbrezel)
You might not think of pretzels as something to serve with you, but these German pretzels are amazing especially served with this rich, Beer Cheese Soup.
Oatmeal Dinner Rolls
While these photos desperately need updating you will love these soft, flavorful, chewy oatmeal dinner rolls -- they go with any soup, just serve them warm with honey butter.
Instant Pot Bread #15
Light, fluffy, 4 ingredients? YES PLEASE!! Check out this easy tried and true Instant Pot Bread.
Mashed Potato Rolls by Bread Machine, Hand or Mixer
Bake these ever so soft and fluffy potato rolls and just try and eat just one.
No-Knead Parmesan Rosemary Bread
I love me some no-knead parmesan rosemary bread, the flavors just sing in this beautiful bread!
Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls
More garlic, yes please! Soft and fluffy, garlic herb dinner rolls might just rock your world!
Homemade White Bread Recipe
A simple white bread, the staple of my dad's Omaha dinner table every night of the week!
No-Knead Rosemary Bread
No knead breads are my favorite and here is another variation of the Rosemary bread! YUM!
Semolina Bread Recipe
Make this classic Italian bread and you will be so glad you did!
Pull Apart Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe
Make this super cheesy bread to go with a super light and brothy soup! I'm thinking a wonton or egg drop soup or perhaps French Onion soup.
Homemade Pita Bread (Pita Pocket)
Sure you can buy Pita bread at the store, but not like this you cannot! Light fluffy, airy and it won't fall apart when you split it open!
Braided Challah Buns (Homemade Roll Recipe)
These gorgeous buns are for a slow, chilly day, when you have plenty of time on your hands and want to create something stunning -- pair these Challah rolls with a hearty stew or pot roast.
Italian Focaccia Bread Recipe • CiaoFlorentina
A gorgeous and simple yeasted focaccia bread is perfect paired with Italian Wedding Soup or other light soups. Even would be delicious with a gazpacho or chilled summer soup.
Quickbread Recipes (Bread without yeast)
Here you will find everything from beer breads, to biscuits, to soda bread and more! No yeast required at all!
Quick Bread Recipes (without Yeast)
Easy Arepa Recipe
Simple and scrumptious, perfect for a cup of Pazole.
4 Ingredient Irish Soda Bread + Gluten Free Option
You won't believe how easy this Soda bread is and yet has an amazing crust and flavor!
Peppery Cheese Bread
Filled with peppers and cheese, this quickbread is a homemade that will go with any soup!
Cornbread Recipe Without Buttermilk
No buttermilk? No problem, enjoy this easy to bake cornbread without buttermilk.
Aunt Lucille's Mexican Cornbread Recipe
With a kick and a twist, this cornbread is so delish!
Sweet Skillet Cornbread with Honey Butter
Skillet cornbread with honey butter, a classic.
Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits (biscuits & skillet bread)
Seriously, these Cheddar biscuits are not only easy, but soft, hot and chewy and are delicious with rich meals like Red, Beans and Rice or a piping cup of soup.
Easy 4 Ingredient Beer Bread
It doesn't get any easier than this for homemade bread, change your beer, change the flavor of the bread.
Best Sweet Cornbread Recipe {Buttermilk Cornbread}
Sweet and delicious, a quick, but from scratch cornbread that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Low Calorie Biscuits
A low calorie biscuit option so that everyone can enjoy their cup of soup!
Easy Make Cornbread Cake
Super simple and easy cornbread cake! Mmmm, delicious with spicy soups.
Herbed Beer Bread Recipe
Gather the herbs, this beer bread recipe is savory and easy.
Low Calorie Cornbread
Sometimes when enjoying soup you are need a lower calorie bread to go with it, this Low Cal Cornbread is just the ticket.
Jalapeno Popper Cornbread With Whipped Cream Cheese Butter
If you are serving stews or chili, this jalapeno popper bread is tops!
Buttery Apple Cheddar Scones with Sage
Scones do not have to be sweet, these savory and tender scones would be delicious with a French Onion or beefy soup.
Cheddar Bacon Slow Cooker Bread
Simple, rich and delicious this cheddar bacon bread is actually made in the slow cooker!
Cheater Bread Recipes
(Bread recipes using store bought bread, dough, biscuits, mix or rolls)
These recipes start with baked breads, or frozen rolls, canned biscuits or baking mix. Easy!
Cheater Bread Recipes (Recipes using Store bought bread, dough or rolls)
Garlic and Herb Pull Apart Cheesy Bread Recipe
You’ll want to add this easy pull apart cheesy bread recipe to your menu. It’s a perfect side to go with soup, salad and pasta for those busy weeknights.
Cheesy Garlic Biscuits {Super Easy!}
These fluffy biscuits are the easiest! Made with garlic and cheddar biscuits just like Red Lobster with only 6 pantry staples. Yum!
Easy Crostini Recipe
Made by slicing and toasting bread – crostini are great with meat, cheese, dips, soups, or a variety of sweet and savory spreads!
Cheese Bombs
Made with refrigerator biscuits these cheese bombs are great especially with a tomato or creamy based soup!
Air Fryer Garlic Bread
This air fryer garlic bread is ridiculously quick and easy. With just six ingredients its on the table in ten minutes. A great side dish or a delicious snack.
Italian Cheese Bread Recipe
This easy Italian cheese bread recipe is flavored with garlic, parsley and Italian cheese. This quick recipe uses simple ingredients, takes less than 10 minutes and is a delicious side dish or appetizer!
Pepperoni Bread
Made with frozen bread dough, this Pepperoni Bread is an easy and fun recipe to make. Serve it as an appetizer, as a side dish with your favorite soup, or as a
Homemade Garlic Knots
Easy garlic knots made from store bought pizza dough. Crunchy and flavorful on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and ready in less than 30 minutes.
Air Fryer Breadsticks {with Garlic Butter}
Air Fryer Breadsticks are the perfect addition to any meal and cook in just 5 minutes! Brush with a quick and easy garlic butter and serve them up with your favorite soups.
Individual Parsley Chive Bubble Breads
Individual Parsley Chive Bubble Breads are not only fun to make but fun to eat. Plus who doesn’t love getting an individual loaf of bread with dinner? Delicious to serve with soup too.
Garlic Parmesan Knots
These parmesan garlic knots are so easy to make, thanks to store-bought refrigerated dough, and are delicious to enjoy with soup!
Simplified Runzas {or Bierocks}
Runzas are delicious rolls stuffed with cabbage and beef. They are perfect on their own or dipped into soup.
Homemade Garlic Bread With Parmesan Herb Butter
This homemade garlic bread is super easy to make and a great addition to soups, stews, or pasta!
Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Pizza rolls add some fun and color to your soup serving!
Monkey Bread Biscuits
Monkey bread biscuits are perfect and quick to make for any cup of soup!
Olive & Onion Focaccia {with Pizza Dough}
Using pizza dough make this quick and easy focaccia with so many great flavors! Easily customize!
Savory Pizza Dough Garlic Monkey Bread
Quick, simple and oh so flavorful, Savory Pizza monkey bread rocks, great with any soup, especially tomato based soups.
Gluten-Free Bread Recipes for Soup
For all of my gluten-free and celiac friends, bread and rolls all made gluten-free! Enjoy!
Gluten-Free Bread Recipes
Delicious gluten-free bread recipes perfect to serve with your favorite GF Soup!
Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread
Got a GF Sourdough starter on hand? Make this delicious and simple gluten-free sourdough bread to go with your next pot of soup!
Gluten Free Bread Recipe: Fig and Nut Bread
This GF Fig and Nut bread recipe is heart and delicious perfect for vegetable soups!
Homemade Grain-Free Six Seed Flatbread Crackers
These Flatbread Crackers are gluten-free, vegan, and good for you because they're made with six different seeds.
Gluten-Free Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits
Make flaky, buttery, cheesy, garlicky Gluten-Free Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits! They are so good, no one would ever guess they are gluten-free! (This recipe is easily customizable and can be made vegan!)
Easy Gluten-Free Focaccia (With Video)
Gluten-Free Focaccia Bread with garlic, rosemary, and olive-infused crust! This super easy recipe is completely gluten-free and vegan! It tastes incredible and has the perfect texture!!
The Best Cornbread, Ever (Gluten Free Recipe, too)
The best cornbread you'll make is easily made gluten-free as well! No one can tell, so just pass the honey and butter!
Gluten-free Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls {dairy-free option}
These gluten-free dinner rolls actually taste like real homemade dinner rolls! These gluten-free rolls don’t taste like cardboard, crumble like sawdust, require a knife to saw through, or need to be toasted to be palatable! So good!
The Best Sweet Gluten-free Cornbread You’ll Ever Have!
This gluten-free cornbread goes perfectly with so many meals from soup and chili to hearty meat dishes. This gluten-free cornbread is a sweet cornbread, not a southern style, savory cornbread.
Easy Gluten-Free Focaccia Bread
his Easy Gluten-Free Focaccia Bread Recipe has just eight ingredients and the dough comes together quickly and easily! This fluffy focaccia can be made with a wide variety of toppings and is ready in under two hours, including the rise time. Vegan & Top-8 allergen-free.
Keto Cornbread Chaffles
For a grain-free and low-carb "bread" option with soup, try Keto Cornbread Chaffles. So easy to make and dunkable!
Focaccia Mug Bread Recipe
For q quick afternoon cup of soup, make this super simple focaccia mug bread. This focaccia bread is gluten free, low carb and easy to make in the microwave or oven!
Oat Flour Bread Recipe (Gluten-Free, Yeast-Free Quick Bread Recipe)
Your soup will taste even better with this gluten-free, yeast free delicious oat flour bread!
Dairy-Free Bread Recipes (Vegan)
Mostly vegan recipes, meaning they don’t use eggs or dairy in them! But they are still amazing!
Dairy Free Bread Recipes (Vegan)
Vegan Dinner Rolls with Everything Bagel Seasoning
Gorgeous, dairy free vegan dinner rolls are perfect to go along with your favorite vegan soup!
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Drop Biscuits (Vegan)
Delicious drop biscuits, perfect for a steaming cup of vegan soup!
Flourless Bread
Deep and dark, this flourless dark bread is going to be delicious with a German or Russian soup.
Vegan Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
Whole wheat bread that will knock your socks off!
Easy Crusty Vegan Bread Recipe • Veggie Society
Crusty and warm, this vegan bread might just make you swoon!
No-Knead Artisan Bread
With just 4 simple ingredients, you can make this No Knead Artisan Bread Recipe. It's surprisingly easy to make, too - just make the dough, let it rest, then bake it in the oven for 40 minutes. No kneading involved! The crust is golden and crackly, while the inside is soft and fluffy.
Rosemary Garlic Sourdough Bread
Soups to Serve with Bread
A post about the best bread for soup would not be complete if I didn’t provide you with a few soup recipes!
Simply hover over the image and then click on the recipe you want!
I hope you try these best bread for soup recipes — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
About Kathleen Pope
Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer
Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.
