A panini press is so much more than a sandwich maker. A panini press is a capable, multi-tasking kitchen device you can use for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
You can get creative with your panini maker, adding unique and surprising ingredients onto the grilling surface once it reaches the desired temperature. After you complete an easy meal within minutes, you can enjoy time with your friends and family eating delicious food!
Keep reading to see the other things you can make on a panini press aside from yummy sandwiches.
Although a Panini Press is Great for Sandwiches, it Can be Used to Make Plenty of Other Meals
Quesadillas generally take only minutes to make. Your kids will love how simple and scrumptious this Mexican dish is. Choose your favorite cheese, such as cheddar or cotija.
Generously fill the flour tortilla, fold, and butter the outside for guaranteed crispy golden edges. Cook the quesadilla in the panini press until golden brown and melty!
You can cook bacon in numerous ways, but who would’ve thought a panini press would do the trick? Slightly preheat the kitchen device and close the lid once you load the bacon slices. Give the press ten minutes, then you’ll have perfectly crisp bacon to eat with scrambled eggs!
The best part is that a panini press is easy to clean up, and you can flavor the bacon however you like. Cracked black pepper supplies an extra kick!
Achieve Crispy Cooked Bacon With Use of a Panini Press
Speaking of eggs, you can use a panini press to create this classic breakfast dish for you and your loved ones without as much time and energy. Sizzle up some chopped bell peppers, onion, and ham pieces. Then pour some scrambled eggs with a bit of milk (alongside any other ingredients) into the panini press.
After a minute, slap some cheese onto the mixture, roll it up, and voila! You have an omelet. Pair the completed omelet with a flour tortilla or bread for a to-go sandwich or burrito if you’re running behind on a Monday morning.
Who doesn’t love potatoes? Rich, filling, and super versatile, you can make some hash browns with your panini press! Simply shred Russet potatoes in a large bowl and strain as much water out of the potatoes as you can.
Mix in olive oil to coat, and add your favorite seasonings and herbs. Then, dump the potatoes into the press and cook for about eight minutes, or until golden brown. Super delicious and super easy!
Don’t you hate when a loaf of bread goes stale before you can enjoy it? But don’t toss it away just yet! Cut the loaf into bite-sized cubes, sprinkle some seasoning along with Parmesan cheese, and toast the bread in your panini press. Use the croutons on top of salads or as a crunchy mid-day snack.
Cooked brioche dunked in scrambled eggs, milk, and cinnamon sounds like the perfect, iconic breakfast combination.
A sandwich press can get it done in four minutes, and you’ll have French toast with a perfect crust and custardy interior. Dust the top with powdered sugar, scoop a tablespoon of jam or drizzle some honey, and your morning just improved.
Making burgers in a panini grill is great since the grease drips into the pan to limit fattiness and give your burger a recognizable taste with distinctive char. You’ll have a moist and juicy inside with a seared outside.
Get creative with your burger creations throughout the year without needing to barbecue in ridiculously harsh summer temperatures outside.
Can you grill veggies on a panini press? Vegetarians will love this option! A panini press makes veggies a healthy and delicious snack or side dish to your main course. Using a pan to saute veggies can make them mushy or overcooked whereas a panini press gives that outdoor, grilled taste without needing to prepare for hours.
Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the various veggies, then sprinkle in some herbs and spices. Place the arrangement uniformly on the panini press. Cook until you see a noticeable char, and grate some cheese over the top before serving.
How do you bake a cake with a panini press? This recipe is ideal if you’re in a hurry to bring a dessert to your gathering.
Use store-bought cake mix (or make a mixture from scratch) and divide the batter evenly into ramekins. Place the panini press lid gently on top and let the magic happen for about 20 minutes on medium heat.
Frost the cupcakes when cooled, and you got yourself a fancy dessert in half the time.
If you have some puff pastry on hand, then keep reading. You can easily make a hand pie in a panini press. All you need is a recipe for caramelized apples or a premade jar of apple filling. Crimp the puff pastry and toss it into the panini press after coating the outside with butter.
Everyone will love this American staple, and you can pair the pie with vanilla ice cream for a refreshing sweet!
You can use store-bought or homemade dough for this recipe. The panini press works wonders, whether you bake them directly on the surface or inside a ramekin. You’ll get a delicious and crusty exterior and fluffy inside.
Dunk the tops in the cream cheese icing. Everyone will lick their fingers after indulging in one of the cinnamon rolls!
Can you cook meat on a panini press? Chicken and fish taste great here. You can cook these proteins quicker with a panini press and achieve those noticeable grill marks. The panini press will caramelize BBQ or teriyaki sauce around the surface when cooking, giving the chicken breast a crunchy texture and recognizable flavor.
Additionally, you can roast a whole chicken. Set your press to the highest setting and open the cornish game so it lies flat. Pat the poultry dry, season, cook and make a delicious chicken panini.
On the other hand, fish can be difficult to cook just right. Set your panini press to high, rub off the fish to remove excess moisture, coat with your favorite dry rub, and cook until done. Then, enjoy with several sides or chop up the fish to make tacos!
A panini press distributes the heat perfectly and presses the cheese panini together. If you’re nervous about flipping sandwiches on a pan, then a panini press is the way to go.
Make sure you fill the bread with the right amount of cheese so your sandwich doesn’t fall apart during the process or ooze onto the grates. You can enhance your grilled cheese with different flavors, or add tomatoes and bacon with this sandwich recipe.
Cut the bread into thicker slices to confirm the sandwich is sturdy enough to handle the heat and weight of the panini press.
Panini Press Your Wraps and Other Sandwiches to Melt the Cheese
A panini press gives fruit an intense and caramelized flavor. You can serve the fruit with yogurt, ice cream, or oatmeal. Stone fruit, like peaches, is wonderful in the summer while pineapple is a great pick for cooler months. The best panini press user is one who can tackle both sweet and savory dishes!
Make corn on the cob with your panini press! Rotate the ears once or twice to get a nice color, then top with melted butter, chili powder, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime.
You can also reheat pizza and never have soggy slices again. Fold the pieces in half and cook until the cheese is all melted.
The same goes for French fries. Crisp up leftovers in your panini press instead of having to get out your air fryer.
This Presser by Blackstone Can be Used to Achieve Perfectly Cooked Bacon
A panini press has endless possibilities for creative and unique dishes, very much like a waffle iron. The weight and heat from above and below create a searing and toasting effect. Try out some of the above recipes on days where you have limited time and savor delicious creations!
