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!

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

FAQs

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

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.

Get More Info Here ›

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.

See Details ›

How to make a good panini without press? ›

– Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, and cook your sandwich for a couple minutes on each side, pressing it down to make full contact with the hot pan using a big lid. (Pictured: South African Cheese, Grilled Onion & Tomato Panini (Braaibroodjie). Pan on the stove, with another pan for a press.

Know More ›

Should you use mayo or butter for paninis? ›

We've been using mayo in some . . . unconventional ways lately (chocolate cake, anyone?). But when it comes to panini, mayo is simply better than softened butter. For one, there's no putzing around while the butter softens.

Find Out More ›

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

Well, a panino in Italy is just a sandwich, panini being the plural. They come in hundreds of varieties, just like in the U.S., but they are usually very simple. No widespread use of sauces, mountains of ingredients or “build your own” variety in most cases.

What is the best way to cut a panini? ›

Accessing the sandwich's core is key to optimal bites. The consensus view favours cutting sandwiches diagonally to form two triangles, although hard science to back this up is difficult to find. One hypothesis is that a triangle allows you to take your first two bites from the two 45° corners.