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

25 Best Panini Recipes (6)

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.

25 Best Panini Recipes (7)

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!

25 Best Panini Recipes (9)

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.

25 Best Panini Recipes (11)

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.

25 Best Panini Recipes (13)

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

25 Best Panini Recipes (14)

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

25 Best Panini Recipes (15)

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.

25 Best Panini Recipes (16)

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.

25 Best Panini Recipes (17)

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.

25 Best Panini Recipes (18)

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!

25 Best Panini Recipes (19)

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.

25 Best Panini Recipes (23)

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

25 Best Panini Recipes (24)

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

25 Best Panini Recipes (25)

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.

25 Best Panini Recipes (26)

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 most popular panini? ›

The Most Popular Panini Types
  • Panino Friulano. A panino Friulano is a specialty of Friuli-Venezia Giulia prepared with baked bread, Montasio cheese, and prosciutto San Daniele. ...
  • Panonta. ...
  • Italian Panini Sandwiches. ...
  • Zingara di Ischia. ...
  • Polenta Panin.
Aug 1, 2023

What is the key to a good panini? ›

Keep it Crispy

One of the hallmarks of a great panini is the signature crispy crunch of the bread when you bite in. In order to make sure that you get the crunch you crave, brush olive oil or butter on the outside before toasting. That will help to brown and harden the bread for a delicious bite.

What is best bread for paninis? ›

We recommend using a bread that can take the heat. Literally. Italian breads like focaccia, ciabatta, and baguettes are usually heartier than, say, sourdough, and they hold up better to grilling. Bring the heat.

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

There are no hard and fast rules. But the paninis differ from the original ones in Italy than in the USA, where they are mostly grilled. 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.

Do you butter a panini before cooking? ›

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.

Do you flip a panini? ›

Place the panini sandwich and press it firmly until the bottom turns golden brown. Flip the panini sandwich and repeat the process. Serve while hot to enjoy the crispness fully.

Should you use mayo or butter for paninis? ›

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.

What do you serve with paninis? ›

Sometimes panini can be meals unto themselves, but often we pair them with a side dish, soup or salad to round it out.

What cheese melts creamy? ›

Cheeses with more moisture and lower melting points make for mouthwatering, creamy cheese sauces. Cheddar is one of the most popular choices, but Swiss and Gruyère are also terrific options.

What is a traditional panini sandwich? ›

Panini means “small bread” in Italian. A panini sandwich, sometimes called a panino, is made with grilled Italian bread, usually made using a sandwich press. It's packed with delicious ingredients like cheese that melt and warm up while the sandwich cooks.

What is the name of the bread used in paninis? ›

In Italy, a Panino is a grilled sandwich that is made from any bread other than standard sliced bread. One of the most popular bread types used for a Panino is Ciabatta. Outside of Italy, toasted Ciabatta sandwiches are known as Panini (the plural of Panino).

What can you make in a panini press besides sandwiches? ›

15 Surprising Foods to Make with a Panini Press:
  • Quesadillas.
  • Bacon.
  • Omelettes.
  • Hash Browns.
  • Croutons.
  • French Toast.
  • Burgers.
  • Vegetables.
Aug 5, 2020

What are the most sought after panini cards? ›

Rankings are based on the Beckett price guide through February, 2024.
  1. 2013-14 Panini Prizm Giannis Antetokounmpo RC #290. ...
  2. 2015-16 Panini Prizm Nikola Jokic RC #335. ...
  3. 2012-13 Panini Prizm Damian Lillard RC #245. ...
  4. 2012-13 Panini Prizm Kawhi Leonard RC #209. ...
  5. 2023-24 Panini Prizm Victor Wembanyama RC #136.
Feb 27, 2024

What is the most valuable panini card? ›

1. 2009-10 Panini National Treasures Stephen Curry Rookie Logoman Autograph. Sold for $5.9M.

What is the most valuable panini football card? ›

The Latest Most Expensive Football Cards Statistics Explained. The Patrick Mahomes card from 2017 Panini National Treasures sold at auction for $861,000 in 2021.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kelle Weber

Last Updated:

Views: 6286

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kelle Weber

Birthday: 2000-08-05

Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

Phone: +8215934114615

Job: Hospitality Director

Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.