20 Panera Bread Recipes to Make at Home (2024)

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With these easy Panera Bread recipes, you can have your favorites right at home!

Do you like to try new things at Panera, or do you have a standard order? I know I choose the same chicken and wild rice soup, just because I know it’s fantastic.

20 Panera Bread Recipes to Make at Home (1)

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I love that Panera makes all their bread in-house, and if you time it right, the place smells unreal when it comes fresh out of the oven.

And I can’t leave without picking up a few of their Kitchen Sink cookies.

There’s so much to choose from and try at Panera between the salads, soups, sandwiches, and bakery, so it was hard to pick just 20 recipes here.

Hopefully, your favorite is on the list. Give one of these copycat Panera recipes a try today!

1. Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Before I tried this, I was worried it would be too much like eating a bowl of queso or grabbing a spoon at the fondue pot.

I’ve never been so glad to be wrong. Yes, it’s a thick soup, and the cheese flavor is strong (as it should be), but it just works.

When mixed with the carrot, broccoli, and chicken stock, it’s such a satisfying bowl of soup.

I like to mix and match my cheeses to get a slightly different flavor every time.

Last time, I used a mature cheddar with something smoky, and it gave the soup a whole new taste.

2. Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

I adore white mac and cheese. I think it looks so much more appetizing than the orange version, and I know that the cheese will be strong.

Plus, the bacon I add to the top really pops against the lighter sauce!

The key to getting the best cheese sauce is to find good quality cheese and grate it yourself.

The packaged stuff has a coating that prevents it from sticking together and stops it from melting smoothly.

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3. Panera Creamy Tomato Soup Copycat Recipe

I would probably eat soup every day if I could. In fact, I once worked in a bakery that served two different soups a day, and I was in heaven!

My issue with canned tomato soup is that it often tastes too acidic for my liking. That’s why I always make my own – or rather, Panera’s.

I like to use vine-ripened tomatoes and roast them with the onion and garlic before adding it all to the pot. The enhanced flavor will blow your mind.

Also, I know the sugar might seem like an odd addition, but it balances everything out. You will definitely taste the difference without it.

4. Copycat Panera Squash Soup

Between the squash, carrot, and pumpkin, this soup has to be healthy, right?

Looking through the ingredients, it’s definitely one of the most flavorful and healthy on the list.

You can keep it vegan by omitting the butter and cream cheese or make it extra indulgent with some heavy cream.

Of course, some coconut cream would be a great middle ground.

5. Panera’s Thai Chicken Salad

This salad is spicy, crunchy, and loaded with extras. The Thai chili vinaigrette and spicy peanut sauce alone are reason enough to make this recipe.

I love the inclusion of edamame, which doesn’t get enough love if you ask me. And I always add in the sliced mango to add a freshness to the dish.

If you want to boost the flavor, make extra vinegarette and let the chicken marinate for a few hours before grilling.

6. Copycat Panera Turkey Chili

For me, fall is about two things: pumpkin spice and chili!

At the first sign of a chill in the air, I get out my slow cooker to make the first batch of chili for the season.

Chili is just so versatile, though I like using turkey because it’s a little healthier.

I stick to this recipe pretty closely, though I add chunks of pumpkin or squash for added color and substance.

7. Spinach and Cheese Egg Soufflé

Did you just recoil at the word ‘soufflé?’ It’s not something you can just whip up on a whim.

Truth be told, this is less of a soufflé and more of a baked egg pastry or a quiche. You need not whip egg whites here!

Use ready-made crescent rolls for the crust, and simply pour the filling inside.

I like the smaller, shallow dishes for these, but you could use a larger pie plate if it’s all you have.

8. Panera Bread Baked Potato Soup

I’ve talked about my love for the humble potato before. It’s hands-down, the most versatile vegetable out there.

In this soup, it’s pretty close to addictive, not to mention, cheap!

This recipe uses a chicken base, which is a reduced form of chicken stock that is brimming with flavor (much more so than your average stock).

I like my soup to have some texture, so I usually mash half of the potato and leave the rest diced.

9. Instant Pot Panera 10 Vegetable Soup

One thing is for sure, this soup does not lack nutrients.

It contains peppers, corn, carrots, peas, onion, celery, spinach, and barley, and can be ready in just 15 minutes.

Naturally, you can adjust the veggies to your liking. And maybe reduce the garlic if you’re not a big fan. The recipe calls for eight cloves!

10. Baja Grain Bowls

If you love burrito bowls, then this one’s for you. The mix of quinoa and rice gives such a great texture contrast and bonus protein.

The zesty dressing is perfect for the mix of tomatoes, corn, and beans, and you can keep it vegetarian friendly without adding any meat to the top.

11. Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Panera Copycat)

Chicken salad is one of those meals that I always crave. The tender chicken with creamy mayonnaise and onion is such an excellent sandwich filling.

But this version is out of this world!

Not only does it have a crazy-good dressing made with mayo, honey, apple cider vinegar, mustard, and rosemary, but it also incorporates toasted almonds and grapes.

The sweet and crunchy extras really make this dish, and you’ll want to get some sturdy bread to allow for extra filling!

12. Panera Bread Bistro French Onion Soup

Much like potato soup, this humble dish is inexpensive but so good.

The base is an onion and beef broth, which might sound plain, but it really packs a flavor punch.

The beef flavor is really a vital aspect of this soup, but if you want it to be vegetarian-friendly, you can use vegetable stock.

Just keep in mind that it won’t have such a deep and rich flavor.

Make your own croutons by baking leftover bread, and I highly recommend using the suggested cheeses.

They will melt in and add such a great taste that you won’t get from a mild cheddar.

13. Watermelon Mint Salad

I have to admit that this one isn’t my favorite. But I know it’s hugely popular, so I had to include it.

This simple summer salad takes just 20 minutes to make, and other than the mint leaves, I suspect you have all the ingredients at home already.

I have used this dressing for other salads (since it’s so simple), and I like to use honey rather than sugar. I also add some chili flakes for a little heat.

14. Ham & Cheese Breakfast Soufflé

This meat-lovers version of the crescent roll soufflé is defiantly worth a try.

The salty ham with the melted cheese is such a great way to start the day, and it’s super simple to throw together.

This recipe as a base is fantastic, and it’s so easy to modify.

I’ve made a version with caramelized onions and garlic, and another with some leftover rotisserie chicken and rosemary.

15. Panera Bread Cobblestone Muffins

These muffins have a cinnamon-raisin and spiced apple filling, along with a streusel top and icing drizzle.

If you’re going to start your day with a muffin, it really should be this one. It’s loaded with flavor and filling enough to get you to lunch.

These are made with a yeast-based dough, making them more of a cinnamon roll. You’ll need to make the dough ahead, giving it time to rise.

16. Strawberry Chicken Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing

I love adding fruit to a salad. It just brightens the whole dish up and gives such great sweetness to go along with the salty meat or savory dressing.

This recipe actually included blueberries, too, making it super fruity. And the pecans give it a fantastic crunch.

The poppy seeds give the dressing such an unusual flavor, and I love the black flecks throughout the dish. But you can leave them out if you can’t find them in the store.

17. Panera Honey Walnut Cream Cheese

The first time I tried this, I was floored. It’s just such a wonderfully different option for your daily bagel breakfast.

Don’t skip the toasting stage for the walnuts if you have the time (it just needs a few minutes) because it really brings out the flavors in the nuts.

The rest of the ingredients just need to be blended until smooth, and then you can add in your chopped nuts.

20 Panera Bread Recipes to Make at Home (2)

18. Kitchen Sink Cookies

I mentioned these before, and I just had to include them on this list. They’re soft, chewy, salty, sweet, and impossible to resist.

The classic Panera version with chocolate chips, pretzels, toffee bits, and a sprinkle of sea salt is pretty close to perfect. But you can add in whatever you like!

To get that flawless soft texture, be sure to pull these babies out of the oven when the middle is still soft. They will keep cooking slightly on the tray and firm up as they cool.

19. Copycat Panera Bread Green Goddess Cobb Salad

As someone who doesn’t absolutely love salad, I order this a lot at Panera. It’s full of so many great ingredients and is super filling.

The pickled red onions add some sweet and sour notes to go along with the chicken, bacon, avocado, boiled egg, tomatoes, feta, and green goddess dressing.

If you don’t want to pickle the red onions, you can add them raw and get a wonderful peppery crunch.

20. Copycat Panera Wild Blueberry Muffins

It’s great that you can use frozen blueberries for this recipe, but if you have fresh, then add those.

These muffins are big and tender, with such a moist crumb and pops of blueberry in every single bite.

You can omit the sugar topping, but I love the crunch it adds to the soft muffin.

20 Panera Bread Recipes to Make at Home (3)

20 Panera Bread Copycat Foods

With these easy Panera Bread recipes, you can have your favorites right at home! From soups to salads to muffins, these copycat dishes are as good as the originals!

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a Panera dish in 30 minutes or less!
20 Panera Bread Recipes to Make at Home (4)

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20 Panera Bread Recipes to Make at Home (2024)

FAQs

Is Panera bread made from scratch? ›

Bread dough

While it is true that the crew at Panera does bake their bread on site, the dough isn't actually made from scratch at that same dine-in location. Prepared dough actually arrives every day via truck from a source close to the restaurant, and it may or may not be frozen.

Does Panera bread make their own soup? ›

That Soup Isn't Made In-House

It may taste homemade, but that Panera soup wasn't actually prepared by the workers at your local shop. "The soups are made at a factory/plant/etc., flash-frozen, shipped to us, and we thaw it out in what's called a thermalizer, essentially a soup-thawer," says one former employee.

Do they bake bread at Panera? ›

At Panera, baking is a big part of who we are. That's why we've always made freshly baked artisan bakery breads in our bakery-cafes, and now you can get that same quality wherever you buy groceries.

Is Panera bread pizza healthy? ›

A flatbread pizza at Panera isn't any healthier than a pizza you get somewhere else. It's still made with ultra-processed refined grains and has nearly a day's worth of saturated fat. That's no health bargain.

Why does Panera Bread not go bad in a day? ›

Day-End Dough-Nation® Program

We care for our communities by donating to charities dedicated to feeding our neighbors in need. That's why our bakery-cafes donate their unsold bread, bagels, and baked goods to local non-profits at the end of the night through our Day-End Dough-Nation program.

Is Panera owned by McDonald's? ›

Panera Bread is privately held by JAB Holding Company. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast casual restaurant platforms in the U.S., comprised of Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Einstein Bros. ® Bagels. Learn more about Panera Brands.

What does Panera do with old bread? ›

We believe no loaf should go uneaten when we know there are neighbors in need. That's why we donate our unsold baked goods to local non-profits at the end of the night through our Day-End Dough-Nation® program.

Does Panera boil their bagels? ›

Panera doesn't boil their dough, therefore their product isn't a real bagel.

Where does Panera Bread get their soup from? ›

Blount Fine Foods, formerly Blount Seafood, is a prepared foods and soup manufacturer that produces wholesale frozen and fresh soups under the Blount brand as well as Panera Bread and Legal Sea Foods. Blount Fine Foods is headquartered in Fall River, Massachusetts with a production facility in Warren, Rhode Island.

Why is the bread at Panera so good? ›

We use grains intentionally to impart flavor and texture — such as spelt, rye and oats. We include flavorings like black pepper or asiago cheese to make our focaccia breads irresistible. We also rely on time-honored techniques, like using our sourdough starter, which we believe makes our breads taste better.

What sandwiches did Panera get rid of? ›

Panera is discontinuing these menu items
  • Black Forest Ham & Gouda Melt – Toasted Baguette.
  • Pepperoni Mozzarella Melt – Toasted Baguette.
  • Chicken & Pepperoni Mozzarella Melt – Stacked Toasted Baguette.
  • Chicken Green Goddess Caprese Melt – Stacked Toasted Baguette.
  • Chicken Cordon Bleu Melt – Stacked Toasted Baguette.
Apr 10, 2024

Does Panera use yeast? ›

Detailed Ingredients

Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Yeast, Brown Sugar, Contains Less Than 2% of: Soybean and / or Canola Oil, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Cultured Wheat Flour, Lactic Acid, Vinegar, Enzymes, Ascorbic Acid, Soy Lecithin.

What is the most unhealthy food at Panera? ›

10 Unhealthiest Panera Menu Items, According to Dietitians
  • Pepperoni Mozzarella Melt.
  • Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT on Rustic Sourdough Bread.
  • Vanilla Cinnamon Roll.
  • Frozen Caramel Cold Brew.
  • Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Flatbread.
  • Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl.
  • Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, & Cheese on an Asiago Bagel.
  • Brownie.
Dec 8, 2023

What is the healthiest bread at Panera? ›

Breads: The bread with the fewest calories is the whole grain miche with 130 per serving. Other good choices are the whole grain baguette or whole grain loaf with 140 calories (each option also has 3 grams of fiber per serving).

Is Panera Bread healthier than McDonald's? ›

Is Panera really healthier than McDonald's? ​A new study has found that meals served at fast-casual restaurants such as Panera Bread Co. and Chipotle Mexican Grill, which are often perceived as healthier options, contain more calories than meals at fast-food restaurants like McDonald's.

Does Panera Bread make fresh food? ›

Nothing at Panera Bread is “from scratch” or even partially from scratch. Everything comes in boxes, bags, or molded pre-formed raw dough. Things on the bakers side are mainly straight from a commissary owned by Panera. All pastry dough, muffin batter, or cookies come frozen.

Does Panera use quality ingredients? ›

We aim to craft food that our guests not only crave but can also feel great about eating because of the high-quality ingredients. We believe good food is generous to all: our guests, associates, supply partners, and the planet.

Does Panera use artificial ingredients? ›

In 2017 Panera announced it had removed artificial ingredients from its U.S. menu, following a commitment to "clean" ingredients in 2014 and the 2015 publication of a list of prohibited additives, which it calls its "No No List."

What are the ingredients of Panera Bread bread? ›

Detailed Ingredients

Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Yeast, Brown Sugar, Contains Less Than 2% of: Soybean and / or Canola Oil, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Cultured Wheat Flour, Lactic Acid, Vinegar, Enzymes, Ascorbic Acid, Soy Lecithin.

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