25 Best Panini Recipes (2024)

Here’s a collection of the 25 Best Panini Recipes so you can make the best sandwich ever on your panini press!

25 Best Panini Recipes (1)

August 11th is National Panini Day. Celebrate this day by making your favorite panini sandwich from this bunch of the best panini recipes! Share your creation on social media by using the hashtag #NationalPaniniDay, #PaniniDay and #RecipesForHolidays. Be sure to check out my August Food Holidays page so you can follow all the food holidays for the month of August!

“Too few people understand a really good sandwich.”

-James Beard

The History of Panini:

The word, “panini” is Italian in origin– coming from the word, “panino.” Panini is an Americanized word. It refers to a grilled sandwich, usually stuffed with meats, cheeses and vegetables.

The first reference to a panini comes from a 16th century Italian cookbook. Though the panini is said to have mostly originated in Lombardy, Italy (perhaps in the 1950’s) in response to demand from Milanese office workers who wanted a quick lunch that was delicious too.

In 1956, an article in the New York Times mentioned panini when writing about an Italian food festival in Harlem.

Panini became trendy eats in Milanese bars in New York City in the 70’s and 80’s.

The Breville panini press became available to consumers in 1974.

In the late 1990’s, the popularity of panini sandwiches soared. Restaurants began creating gourmet versions of the panini, and they are still popular today.

25 Best Panini Recipes (2)

Italian Chicken Pesto Panini by Just a Little Bit of Bacon. This panini is is full of Italian flavors and makes great use of leftover chicken!

25 Best Panini Recipes (3)

Veggie Panini by Lil Luna. Even without meat, this veggie panini is a delicious hot sandwich filled with cheese, tomato, avocado, spinach and more.

25 Best Panini Recipes (4)

Turkey Croissant Panini by Striped Spatula. This panini with sliced Brie, cranberry relish, and baby arugula is an easy way to enjoy holiday leftovers.

25 Best Panini Recipes (5)

Tomato Mozzarella and Basil Panini by SkinnyMs. This sandwich has whole wheat bread slices, juicy tomatoes, spicy red onions, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, and heart-healthy olive oil

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Sundried Tomato Pesto Panini by The Live In Kitchen. This panini is easy to make withfresh mozzarella,tomato slices,pine nuts, and store bought or homemadesun dried tomato pesto.

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Strawberry Nutella Panini by Recipe Boy. It’s like having dessert for lunch!

25 Best Panini Recipes (8)

Spicy Southwestern Turkey Panini by Kitchen Concoctions. Cilantro, avocado, tomato and spicy mustard are just a few ingredients that make up this delicious panini!

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Philly Cheesesteak Panini by My Sequined Life. This panini features thinly-sliced chuck roast, provolone cheese, and lots of caramelized onions for a delicious and easy lunch or dinner.

25 Best Panini Recipes (10)

Pesto Meatball Panini by Oh Sweet Basil. It’s like a mashup between your favorite meatball sub and a classic chicken panini.

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Pesto Caprese Panini by Honey What’s Cooking. This panini is cheesy and delicious made on sourdough with spinach, balsamic and tomato.

25 Best Panini Recipes (12)

Pesto and Mozzarella Panini by Homemade Mastery. This panini is filled with pesto, mozzarella, olives and fresh tomatoes.

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Mushroom and Goat Cheese Veggie Panini by Vanilla and Bean. Flavor packed and texture rich, enjoy this veggie panini recipe toasty warm or chilled.

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Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Panini by Feel Good Foodie. This panini is made with turkey, thyme, cranberry sauce and melty provolone cheese.

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Italian Style Panini by How to Feed a Loon. The Italian cured meats, along with the fresh pesto and mozzarella cheese work beautifully with the grilled bread.

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Ham Brie Apple and Spinach Panini by A Dish of Daily Life. This panini has ham, brie, apple slices, and a handful of baby spinachdressed with honey mustard.

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Cuban Panini Burger by A Family Feast. A delicious mash-up of all of the traditional flavors you’d find in a Cuban sandwich – combined with a super juicy grilled burger.

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Corned Beef Panini by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures. Marble rye bread, corned beef, cheddar and Guinness infused onions make this “corned beef” version of a patty melt irresistible!

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Chipotle Turkey Panini by Baking Mischief. This panini has chipotle aioli, crunchy red onions, sliced turkey, melty cheese, and avocado.

25 Best Panini Recipes (20)

Chicken Pesto Panini by Chisel and Fork. Chicken with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh mozzarella sandwiched between tasty ciabatta bread

25 Best Panini Recipes (21)

Chicken Pepperoni Parmesan Panini by What’s Cooking Love. It’s like chicken parm in a sandwich with added pepperoni- yum!

25 Best Panini Recipes (22)

Chicken Brie and Apple Panini by What Should I Make For. This panini is sweetened with a drizzle of honey and comes together in minutes for a quick weeknight dinner.

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Cheesy Hummus Veggie Panini by The Live In Kitchen. This is the dreamiest vegetarian sandwich option you’ll ever find!

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Bruschetta Panini by Lil Luna. This panini includes basil, tomato and mozzarella so it also has that Caprese taste to it.

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Grilled Balsamic Blueberry and Cheese Panini by Best Friends for Frosting. The salty balsamic vinegar and sweet blueberries are basically a match made in food heaven.

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Apple Cheddar Turkey Panini by The Novice Chef. These are packed full of cheddar cheese, tart granny smith apples, and turkey meat.

Fun Facts about Panini:

  • Thomas Edison invented a sandwich grill, but it was largely ignored.
  • Foccaccia, ciabatta and sourdough bread are the most common types of bread used for making panini sandwiches.
  • A classic Italian panini is made with mozzarella, tomato, arugula and proscuitto.
  • Other versions of panini can include fontina and prosciutto, grilled vegetables and cheese, prosciutto with cheese and olive tapenade and so many more.
  • Ideally, everything being put into a panini sandwich should be flat.
  • When making a panini, you’re not cooking anything… you’re just heating it.
25 Best Panini Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the key to a good panini? ›

Panini Like a Pro
  1. Start with the right bread. We recommend using a bread that can take the heat. ...
  2. Bring the heat. Be sure to get your grill nice and hot before putting your panini on—it'll make for better grill marks.
  3. For maximum crunch. ...
  4. Keep the goods contained. ...
  5. No panini press?
Jul 26, 2018

What is the best bread to use for a panini sandwich? ›

Generally speaking, denser is best when it comes to grilling panini. Dense bread — such as the freeform loaves you find at the bakery department — will hold its shape better than soft, pre-sliced sandwich bread when it gets between the two grates of a panini press.

Should you butter a panini? ›

Go for the crunch.

It's the grilling! Grilled bread is the hallmark of panini – make the most of it by brushing olive oil or melted butter on top for a crostini-like crunch. Or, to save a few calories, Columbus Foodie recommends spraying butter flavored cooking spray, another great idea.

What temperature do you press panini for sandwiches? ›

The best temperature to use for a panini press is a medium to high temperature between 325° and 375°.

How to make panini not soggy? ›

Arrange the layers so that moist ingredients aren't in contact with the bread. For instance you could have a cheese and tomato sandwich get soggy if it's arranged bread/tomato/cheese/bread, but you could arrange it bread/cheese/tomato/cheese/bread and be fine.

Should you use mayo or butter for paninis? ›

Butter goes in the pan not on the bread. To ensure golden (not burned) toastiness, the exterior of the sandwich should be slicked with mayonnaise, which has a higher smoke point and possesses the combined browning power of oil and egg yolks.

What is the difference between Italian panini and American panini? ›

The Italian panini does not need to be roasted. Whereas, in the panini shops in the US, you are most likely to find grilled stuffing and the bread is also toasted. The quality of bread is paramount in the making of panini. Usually, high-quality Italian bread like ciabatta or focaccia is used.

Is mayo good on a panini? ›

But when it comes to panini, mayo is simply better than softened butter. For one, there's no putzing around while the butter softens. And two, the browning is so much better.

When using a panini press do you butter the bread? ›

Allow your panini press to heat up for about 7 minutes. If your press has a temperature range, check the manufacturer's instructions for details. Place the cheese between the slices of bread. Coat the outside of the bread with either the butter or mayonnaise.

What is a traditional panini sandwich? ›

The key to a good panini is using high-quality Italian bread (think ciabatta or focaccia) and focusing on the best ingredients without overstuffing the sandwich. Some classic panini recipes are: Mozzarella, tomato, prosciutto, and arugula. Prosciutto and fontina cheese. Prosciutto, cheese, and tapenade.

Do you put a panini press in foil or parchment paper? ›

The parchment acts as a barrier between the grill and your panini and ensures that fillings stay put and won't drip onto the grill. Consequently, this eliminates the risk of your panini sticking to the press' plates and reduces the amount of cleanup.

Do you flip a panini? ›

Close the sandwich up, place on the panini maker or skillet, and grill for 5 minutes. If using a skillet, flip the sandwich over at the 3 minute mark and grill for an additional 2 minutes. Cut in half and serve immediately.

What is the best way to cut a panini? ›

Triangle takes the lead again. A hot sandwich like a panini or a cheese toastie benefits greatly from the point to point triangle. Heat can escape more consistently from the centre of the triangle half, and the cheese is more evenly distributed toward the crusts.

How long do you leave a sandwich in a panini press? ›

That depends on what you need the heat to do for your sandwich. With thinner panini like simple grilled cheese, where all you need to do is melt the cheese and grill the bread, a medium-high temperature (about 375 degrees) works great – 3 minutes and it's perfect.

What are the characteristics of a panini? ›

A panini is a grilled sandwich with Italian bread, such as ciabatta. It's usually served warm, filled with deli meats and cheeses, and cut horizontally. Paninis are notable for their crispy exteriors, warm interiors, and grill marks.

What should I look for in a panini grill? ›

Helpful Advice on How to Buy a Panini Press
  1. A Floating Hinge. It is not as complicated as it sounds. ...
  2. Adjustable Thermostat. Often, the best commercial panini press should at least have an adjustable thermostat. ...
  3. Surface Area. ...
  4. Removable Plates. ...
  5. User-Friendly. ...
  6. Time-Saver. ...
  7. Warranty. ...
  8. Other Cooking Functions.

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