If you're anything like me, you probably dabbled in sourdough baking during the pandemic. I made everything from bread to pretzels and pancakes with my sourdough starter and documented the whole thing on social media, of course. But when life slowly started returning to normal, my poor starter became less of a priority. Add two kids to the mix, and baking bread is the last thing I have time for.
But I have come to miss the smell of a freshly baked sourdough loaf coming right out of the oven and enjoying a slice slathered with our favorite homemade chia seed jam. That's why I was excited to test out Wildgrain, an online bakery that delivers everything from bread, pasta and pastries directly to your door. However, I was skeptical about whether or not the baked goods would taste truly homemade or fresh since everything comes frozen, so I put the service to the test. Here's my honest review of Wildgrain, including everything you need to know about its offerings and whether or not I think it's worth the price.
What is Wildgrain?
Pros
- Excellent assortment of breads, pastas and baked goods
- High-quality ingredients and artisanal processes
- Items come frozen and don't need to be thawed or proofed
- Gluten-free and plant-based menus available
- Products actually taste fresh and gourmet
- Accurate baking times and cooking instructions
- Skip or cancel your subscription at any time
Cons
- Boxes are on the pricier side
- No one-time order option available
- Ample freezer space is required
Founded in 2020 by Johanna and Ismail Salhi, Wildgrain is a subscription-based box that offers frozen, ready-to-bake bread, pasta, pastries and more shipped directly to your door. The brand focuses on minimal, high-quality ingredients and artisanal processes (think traditional techniques used by master bakers, pasta makers and pastry chefs) to create authentic baked goods with homemade recipes. Many of their hero products are made with sourdough, which is where the name Wildgrain comes from — the yeast in sourdough starters is the wild relative of yeast used in commercial bread baking, according to the brand's website.
How does Wildgrain work?
When you visit Wildgrain's website, you can begin your membership by building your first box and choosing your delivery frequency. Select from a range of products, including bread, croissants, biscuits, cookies, English muffins, pretzel buns, pasta, ravioli, pizza and more. You can choose four, six or 12 items per box and select the items yourself or have Wildgrain fill it for you with an assortment of bestsellers. You can adjust your delivery frequency from every two weeks up to three months, but you must do so after creating a member account; you can opt for a gluten-free or a plant-based box if needed.
When your products arrive, store everything in the freezer. You don't (and shouldn't) thaw any of the items. Everything is partially baked and then frozen when it arrives — that means it's designed to be ready to cook or bake directly from frozen in under 25 minutes. Each item has specific instructions on the packaging for preparation.
Wildgrain FAQs
How much does Wildgrain cost?
Wildgrain offers several custom box plans, most ranging from $89 to $109 per box. Optional add-ons are available but come at an additional cost. Shipping is always free through the contiguous United States.
Can I skip a month?
Yes, you can adjust your membership and delivery frequency in your member account portal from every two weeks to every three months. Wildgrain gives customers a heads-up four days before their order will be charged.
Do I have to sign up for a membership?
A membership is required to use Wildgrain since one-time boxes are not available at checkout. However, you can adjust your delivery frequency to every three months, and occasionally, we have noticed that the service does flash sales with one-time curated Wildgrain boxes.
Is it good for families with dietary restrictions?
The service does offer a separate gluten-free menu and a dedicated plant-based menu. Many gluten-free items are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. The selection is decent, though not as large as their traditional classic menu.
Is it easy to cancel your membership?
Yes, you can cancel your membership with Wildgrain via your member account or by emailing customer service.
My experience with Wildgrain
Selection and ordering process
I initially thought Wildgrain just made sourdough bread, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the assortment of items they offer. The website was easy to navigate, and as a dietitian, I liked that you could find a full nutrition facts panel and a complete ingredient list for each food product. Many of the breads were sourdough-based, while others were slow-fermented, which was nice to see.
I filled my box with an assortment of best-sellers, but I like that you can select exactly what you want so you can curate the box to meet your and your family's needs. My first box included:
- Sourdough Bread
- Slow Fermented Olive Oil Ciabatta
- Sourdough Rosemary Garlic Bread
- Blueberry Biscuits
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Croissants
- Churned French Butter
I tried some gluten-free offerings on my second box, including gluten-free sourdough bread, pasta and cookies. I consider myself an avid home cook and baker but have never taken the time to make homemade croissants, so it was a treat that each box came with an order of complimentary croissants (alternatively, you'll get plant-based croissants if you select a plant-based box, and gluten-free cookies if you choose a gluten-free box).
One thing that I thought the menu was missing is regular muffins — they have pretty much every other type of baked good you could ask for (as well as English muffins), but traditional muffins, I imagine, are likely a challenge to freeze and rebake and still maintain their shape.
Unboxing and storage
My box was packed with appropriate insulation to keep the items cold and everything was neatly organized inside. The package didn't require a signature and stood outside on my doorstep for a few hours, but it was still appropriately frozen when I opened it later that evening.
I have a deep freezer but struggled to fit some of the larger items, like the sourdough loaves and ciabatta bread. The smaller items, like the biscuits and croissants, fit just fine. You don't, and shouldn't, thaw any of the items, so you need to ensure that you have ample freezer space for everything you order before it comes (or make some of the items right away!).
Preparation
Each item comes complete with a full set of preparation instructions for cooking or baking. I found the instructions straightforward to follow. I doubted whether some of the items would look (and taste) homemade, especially the cookies, so I was shocked to see them expand into a giant, bakery-shop-style chocolate chip cookie in minutes.
Cooking times and temperatures were spot on for everything. Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab Reviews Analyst Eva Bleyer, a sourdough aficionado who has covered sourdough baking tools, also tried the service and enjoyed it. She points out that she wished some items had alternative preparation methods, such as in an air fryer or toaster oven. Some of the items, like the bread, cook but then need time to cool, so I recommend reading the instructions thoroughly ahead of time. Bleyer also tried the fettuccine, which she said cooked quickly, didn't stick together and was delicious.
Taste and quality
I didn't have high hopes since everything was frozen, but each item baked perfectly and tasted homemade. The biscuits were flaky, buttery and substantial in size, and the croissants were authentic, like what I've had in France (plus, they didn't require any proofing!). I really enjoyed the overall convenience as well since each item is ready to go right into the oven from the freezer, and I didn't have to worry about using everything right away since it was all frozen.
The ciabatta was a surprising favorite for me, and we all (especially my husband!) devoured the sourdough bread with its golden-brown crust and perfect hint of tanginess. Bleyer also praised the sourdough: "I loved it the best; it was phenomenal. It was so sour and crusty and so easy to bake up. Having a frozen boule in your freezer is so convenient to pull out whether you have some friends stop by or just ran out of bread for the week."
The chocolate chip cookies were a hit for both Bleyer and me, especially when I put them out for guests to enjoy. "I loved how high quality the flavors are in the chocolate chip cookies," Bleyer said. "All pastries and baked goods that I had from Wildgrain had minimal, high-quality ingredients and I was very impressed, especially as someone who loves to bake." The gluten-free items also were phenomenal.
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I look for brand transparency about ingredients, nutrition facts, cooking methods and processes. I like that Wildgrain offers a complete ingredient list and nutrition facts panel for each product. You'll also find this information on the individual product packaging when the box arrives at your home. I also appreciate that the service offers a dedicated gluten-free and separate plant-based menu — it's very challenging to find gluten-free and/or plant-based options at most traditional bakeries, so this was a welcome offering from the brand.
There are several health benefits of sourdough bread specifically, including that it is typically higher in protein and lower in sugar than other breads, and it's fermented. The cultures do not survive the baking process, but lactic acid is created, which may help you absorb more nutrients. Sourdough bread also typically has fewer ingredients and no added sugar compared to other breads you'll find at the supermarket, making it a healthier choice. However, moderation is still key here. While it's a better-for-you swap, it's important not to go overboard. The same goes for its pastries and baked goods — none of Wildgrain's products have any trans fat, and I noticed simpler, shorter ingredient lists on all of their items compared to what you would buy in a store, but the baked goods should still be treated as a mindful indulgence.
Pros and cons of Wildgrain
Pros
- Excellent assortment of breads, pastas and baked goods
- High-quality ingredients and artisanal processes
- Items come frozen and don't need to be thawed or proofed
- Gluten-free and plant-based menus available
- Products actually taste fresh and gourmet
- Accurate baking times and cooking instructions
- Skip or cancel your subscription at any time
Cons
- Boxes are on the pricier side
- No one-time order option available
- Ample freezer space is required
Who is Wildgrain best for?
Wildgrain is a great option for busy families and foodies who crave homemade bread and baked goods but need convenience. It's also an excellent solution for people who like to entertain, as the items make for an impressive brunch spread or dessert platter. And since the service offers gluten-free and plant-based menus, it can accommodate a variety of special diets. "I think this service is an amazing gift (new mom, holiday, post-surgery, etc.) or thing for someone who appreciates high-quality bread and baked goods but doesn't have great access to it where they live," Bleyer said.
A fair amount of freezer space is needed, and those on a tight budget will realize that the price is much higher than making the items at home yourself, though the quality is top-notch. Certain items are individually portioned, but Bleyer noted that it would be ideal if some of the packaging were resealable if you want to enjoy one or two cookies at a time, for instance, instead of baking the whole tray.
Wildgrain vs. other subscription boxes
Based on my expertise in food and meal delivery services (I've led Good Housekeeping's testing efforts in these categories for the past six years and have tried over 50 services), Wildgrain is pretty unique. For instance, many other food subscription boxes, like Goldbelly and Harry & David, offer gourmet baked goods and pastries. But what makes Wildgrain different is its selection of not just bread but also pastas, pizzas and baked goods, and the overall concept of everything coming partially baked and frozen, and you do that final step of baking or cooking it to get that homemade feel. "This service is so unique; it's unlike any other meal delivery service I've ever received. I loved getting a variety of baked goods, bread, pasta, butter, etc., delivered to my door," Bleyer added.
Is Wildgrain worth it?
I was incredibly impressed by the variety of breads and baked goods that Wildgrain offers on their menu, the high-quality ingredients and the truly made-from-scratch taste. Although I initially had doubts since the items come frozen, I was pleasantly surprised by just how homemade they baked. This service is definitely a splurge, but I think it's well worth it since you're paying for not only convenience but also exceptional ingredients. I wish you could order a box a la carte, but I personally plan to continue the service every two months. That way, I can keep some gourmet baked goods stashed in the freezer to whip out when I have guests or when I go to someone's home.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As a dietitian and working mother, Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., is passionate about putting balanced meals on the table for herself and her family without having to spend a ton of time in the kitchen. Stefani has led meal delivery and food subscription box testing efforts for the Good Housekeeping Institute for the past six years and is well-versed in the current offerings.
Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, where she handles all nutrition-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. She is also Good Housekeeping’s on-staff fitness and exercise expert. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.
