The Aldi Bread Dupe That Takes The Name Brand Version Down A Peg

A standard loaf of bread can transform into many meals and side dishes, but it does have its shortcomings. It'll crumble if you dunk it into soup and doesn't work great for dipping. Naan, however, is an ideal alternative that doesn't flake into soupy or creamy dishes. It's flat yet puffy and made with yogurt or milk for a little extra flavor.

Stonefire is a popular brand; some would argue it's the best. But in a taste test conducted by our own writers at The Takeout, we developed a different opinion. Specially Selected Naan landed on our list of Aldi dupes that are better than name brands. Rumor has it that Stonefire and Aldi's version are made by the same company, and The Takeout's research supports this. Aldi hasn't confirmed the sourcing, though its private-label products are often made by the same manufacturers as name brands. 

The naan from both brands is comparable enough that the suspicion makes sense. Both are soft and fluffy, but there are a few differences. Fans point out that you can't beat the price of Aldi's Specially Selected Naan at $5.49 for four pieces totaling 17.6 ounces. That works out to about $0.31 an ounce. Comparably sized pieces of naan from Stonefire, which come in packages of two, are priced at $0.36 an ounce or higher at other grocers. Fans of Specially Selected naan say they love its oven-fresh feel, soft and chewy texture, and slightly tangy flavor. Our tester noted Specially Selected naan isn't quite as doughy as Stonefire's, and it's a little more browned.

For the best personal pizzas, grab a pack of pillowy naan from Aldi's Specially Selected line — folks especially like the garlic version of this bread as a crust for quick pizzas. For a snack, pair it with dips like tzatziki, garlic spread, Park Street Deli Jalapeño Artichoke Dip, or Simply Nature Organic Red Pepper Hummus.

Naan also adds a unique twist to sandwiches; use two pieces in place of regular bread and fill them with whatever your heart desires. It makes a great bread dupe for everything from grilled cheese sandwiches made with the best cheeses you can buy at Aldi to a garden veggie number. Panini press it for a toasted, warm element.

Naan is a great base for sweet treats, too. Use it for chocolate chip dessert pizza or fruit-covered sweet flatbreads. Or, turn Specially Selected Original Naan into cinnamon sugar chips. Slice the flatbread up into small triangles, toss them with melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar, and crisp them up by baking them in the air fryer or oven. Pair them with your favorite dip, like caramel sauce, dulce de leche, or Park Street Deli Chocolate Chip Cannoli Dip.