My Best Panini Press Recipes of 2013 – Panini Happy® (2024)

FAQs

What can I make with my panini press? ›

Italian breads like focaccia, ciabatta, and baguettes are usually heartier than, say, sourdough, and they hold up better to grilling. Bring the heat. Be sure to get your grill nice and hot before putting your panini on—it'll make for better grill marks.

Butter the outside for crispy grilled bread that heightens the flavour of my favourite panini.

The best temperature to use for a panini press is a medium to high temperature between 325° and 375°.

Ergonomic Handles: Something that has often been a problem in the past is the fact that panini press handles are high and hard to reach when the lids are open.

But your panini press can work wonders far beyond sandwiches, doubling as an indoor grill. We love to use the presses to cook proteins like chicken breasts, skirt or flank steaks — and even bacon.

While there is nothing wrong with putting aluminium foil in a sandwich press, we've found that it can stick to certain breads. If you want to protect the plates and make the cleaning job easier, we recommend using baking paper instead.

Panini makers are generally larger and heavier than sandwich makers, taking up more countertop space. Sandwich makers are compact and lightweight, making them a convenient option for smaller kitchens or those with limited storage space.

Carefully place the sandwich in the panini maker and press the lid down, gently enough so that it doesn't completely smoosh the sandwich but enough that both sides are touching the heated grates. Let the sandwich to cook for a few minutes until the cheese has melted and the bread has crisped, 5 to 7 minutes.

Butter goes in the pan not on the bread. To ensure golden (not burned) toastiness, the exterior of the sandwich should be slicked with mayonnaise, which has a higher smoke point and possesses the combined browning power of oil and egg yolks.

Do you use oil on a panini press? ›

Season your panini grill: Seasoning is essential to keep the unit from rusting and food from sticking. Once you've completely cleaned and dried your panini grill after the first use, spread a light layer of cooking oil on the cast-iron plates and turn the heat to the highest setting.

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat; spray lightly with cooking spray. Place sandwich on grill pan; weigh it down with a heavy pan. Cook until cheese is melted and grill marks appear, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Be aware that panini machines are considered cooking equipment, so some municipalities may require a ventilation hood with use, although a grease hood won't be needed.

The panini press is a high energy user, directly connected to its speed. Still, the best ones are always designed to consume as little as possible and come with energy-saving modes (which is good for the pocket too).

The press consists of two heated plates that close over the sandwich, heating the bread and contents evenly from both sides while simultaneously applying pressure to ensure good contact with the heat. The result is a sandwich with crispy, toasted bread and warmed, melted fillings.

All of our favorite panini presses could open flat to become a full griddle or indoor grill, but the Griddler Elite also had independent temperature controls for the top and bottom so you could make two different dishes at once.