Introduction
Paninis are one of the easiest and most satisfying meals you can make at home. With crispy toasted bread, melted cheese, and flavorful fillings, they work perfectly for lunch, dinner, or even quick comfort-food cravings. The beauty of paninis is their versatility — you can go classic, gourmet, vegetarian, or indulgent with minimal effort.
This collection features twenty-five delicious panini ideas that are simple to prepare and packed with flavor. Whether you prefer savory meats, fresh vegetables, or creamy spreads, these recipes offer something for every taste.
1. Classic Ham and Cheese Panini
Ingredients
- Bread slices
- Ham
- Cheese
- Butter
Instructions
- Layer ham and cheese between bread slices.
- Butter the outside of the bread evenly.
- Grill until golden and the cheese melts completely.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~410
- Protein: ~22 g
- Carbohydrates: ~34 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~22 g
- Sugar: ~3 g
2. Turkey and Avocado Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Sliced turkey
- Avocado
- Cheese
Instructions
- Spread mashed avocado onto the bread.
- Add turkey and cheese layers.
- Grill until crisp and heated through.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~430
- Protein: ~26 g
- Carbohydrates: ~36 g
- Fiber: ~4 g
- Fat: ~20 g
- Sugar: ~3 g
3. Chicken Pesto Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Cooked chicken
- Pesto
- Mozzarella
Instructions
- Spread pesto onto bread slices.
- Add chicken and mozzarella.
- Grill until cheese softens and bread crisps.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~470
- Protein: ~29 g
- Carbohydrates: ~38 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~24 g
- Sugar: ~2 g
4. Caprese Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Fresh mozzarella
- Tomato slices
- Basil
Instructions
- Layer mozzarella and tomatoes onto bread.
- Add basil leaves.
- Grill until bread is toasted and cheese softens.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~420
- Protein: ~18 g
- Carbohydrates: ~40 g
- Fiber: ~3 g
- Fat: ~20 g
- Sugar: ~5 g
5. Roast Beef Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Roast beef
- Cheese
- Mustard
Instructions
- Spread mustard on bread.
- Add roast beef and cheese.
- Grill until heated through.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~480
- Protein: ~30 g
- Carbohydrates: ~35 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~26 g
- Sugar: ~3 g
6. BBQ Chicken Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Cooked chicken
- BBQ sauce
- Cheese
Instructions
- Toss chicken with BBQ sauce.
- Layer with cheese on bread.
- Grill until crispy and melty.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~490
- Protein: ~32 g
- Carbohydrates: ~42 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~22 g
- Sugar: ~10 g
7. Veggie Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Grilled vegetables
- Cheese
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Layer vegetables and cheese onto bread.
- Brush bread lightly with oil.
- Grill until golden and tender.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~360
- Protein: ~14 g
- Carbohydrates: ~44 g
- Fiber: ~5 g
- Fat: ~14 g
- Sugar: ~6 g
8. Bacon and Cheese Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Cooked bacon
- Cheese
- Butter
Instructions
- Layer bacon and cheese between bread.
- Butter outside surfaces.
- Grill until crisp.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~520
- Protein: ~18 g
- Carbohydrates: ~32 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Fat: ~38 g
- Sugar: ~2 g
9. Tuna Melt Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Tuna salad
- Cheese
Instructions
- Spread tuna mixture onto bread.
- Add cheese layer.
- Grill until heated and melted.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~440
- Protein: ~24 g
- Carbohydrates: ~34 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~22 g
- Sugar: ~3 g
10. Italian Deli Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Mixed deli meats
- Cheese
- Italian dressing
Instructions
- Layer meats and cheese.
- Drizzle lightly with dressing.
- Grill until toasted.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~510
- Protein: ~28 g
- Carbohydrates: ~36 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~30 g
- Sugar: ~4 g
11. Chicken Bacon Ranch Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Cooked chicken
- Bacon
- Ranch dressing
- Cheese
Instructions
- Spread ranch dressing on the inside of the bread slices.
- Layer chicken, bacon, and cheese evenly.
- Grill until the bread is crispy and the filling is heated through.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~520
- Protein: ~34 g
- Carbohydrates: ~38 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~28 g
- Sugar: ~4 g
12. Spinach and Feta Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Fresh spinach
- Feta cheese
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Lightly drizzle olive oil onto the bread.
- Add spinach and crumble feta cheese over it.
- Grill until the bread is toasted and the filling softens.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~390
- Protein: ~16 g
- Carbohydrates: ~42 g
- Fiber: ~4 g
- Fat: ~18 g
- Sugar: ~4 g
13. Mushroom and Swiss Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Mushrooms
- Swiss cheese
- Butter
Instructions
- Sauté mushrooms until tender and lightly browned.
- Layer mushrooms and Swiss cheese on bread.
- Grill until the cheese melts and bread crisps.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~410
- Protein: ~18 g
- Carbohydrates: ~40 g
- Fiber: ~3 g
- Fat: ~20 g
- Sugar: ~5 g
14. Philly Cheesesteak Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Sliced steak
- Onions
- Cheese
Instructions
- Cook steak and onions until browned and tender.
- Add filling to bread with cheese.
- Grill until heated through and crispy.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~560
- Protein: ~32 g
- Carbohydrates: ~36 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~34 g
- Sugar: ~3 g
15. Breakfast Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Breakfast meat
Instructions
- Cook eggs until set but still soft.
- Layer eggs, cheese, and meat onto bread.
- Grill until golden and warm.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~480
- Protein: ~22 g
- Carbohydrates: ~34 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~28 g
- Sugar: ~3 g
16. Chicken Caesar Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Cooked chicken
- Caesar dressing
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Toss chicken with Caesar dressing.
- Layer chicken and cheese onto bread.
- Grill until toasted and heated through.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~500
- Protein: ~30 g
- Carbohydrates: ~38 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~26 g
- Sugar: ~3 g
17. Buffalo Chicken Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Chicken
- Buffalo sauce
- Cheese
Instructions
- Toss chicken with buffalo sauce.
- Layer onto bread with cheese.
- Grill until crispy and melted.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~510
- Protein: ~32 g
- Carbohydrates: ~36 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Fat: ~28 g
- Sugar: ~4 g
18. Mozzarella and Pepperoni Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Mozzarella
- Pepperoni
- Tomato sauce
Instructions
- Spread sauce lightly on bread.
- Add cheese and pepperoni.
- Grill until golden and melty.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~530
- Protein: ~22 g
- Carbohydrates: ~40 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~30 g
- Sugar: ~5 g
19. Grilled Vegetable Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Grilled vegetables
- Cheese
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Layer vegetables and cheese onto bread.
- Brush lightly with olive oil.
- Grill until crisp and warm.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~350
- Protein: ~12 g
- Carbohydrates: ~46 g
- Fiber: ~6 g
- Fat: ~12 g
- Sugar: ~7 g
20. Chicken and Spinach Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Chicken
- Spinach
- Cheese
Instructions
- Add chicken and spinach to bread slices.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly.
- Grill until heated through.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~470
- Protein: ~28 g
- Carbohydrates: ~38 g
- Fiber: ~3 g
- Fat: ~22 g
- Sugar: ~4 g
21. Ham and Apple Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Ham
- Apple slices
- Cheese
Instructions
- Layer ham, apples, and cheese onto bread.
- Grill until crispy and melted.
- Serve warm.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~450
- Protein: ~20 g
- Carbohydrates: ~48 g
- Fiber: ~4 g
- Fat: ~18 g
- Sugar: ~12 g
22. Turkey Cranberry Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Turkey
- Cranberry sauce
- Cheese
Instructions
- Spread cranberry sauce onto bread.
- Add turkey and cheese layers.
- Grill until golden.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~460
- Protein: ~26 g
- Carbohydrates: ~44 g
- Fiber: ~3 g
- Fat: ~16 g
- Sugar: ~10 g
23. Chicken Mozzarella Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Chicken
- Mozzarella
- Sauce
Instructions
- Add chicken and cheese onto bread.
- Spoon sauce lightly over filling.
- Grill until melted.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~490
- Protein: ~30 g
- Carbohydrates: ~38 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~24 g
- Sugar: ~3 g
24. Spicy Chicken Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Chicken
- Spicy sauce
- Cheese
Instructions
- Toss chicken with spicy sauce.
- Layer onto bread with cheese.
- Grill until crispy.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~500
- Protein: ~32 g
- Carbohydrates: ~40 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Fat: ~22 g
- Sugar: ~5 g
25. Three Cheese Panini
Ingredients
- Bread
- Mozzarella
- Cheddar
- Parmesan
Instructions
- Layer cheeses evenly between bread slices.
- Grill slowly to allow cheeses to melt.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: ~540
- Protein: ~22 g
- Carbohydrates: ~36 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Fat: ~34 g
- Sugar: ~4 g
FAQs
What bread works best for paninis?
Sturdy breads like sourdough, ciabatta, or country-style bread work well.
Do I need a panini press?
No, a skillet or grill pan works perfectly fine.
Can paninis be made ahead?
They are best enjoyed fresh, but fillings can be prepped ahead.
How do I keep paninis crispy?
Avoid overfilling and cook at moderate heat.
