Small Panini Bread

Introduction

Small panini breads are a versatile staple that elevate everything from simple sandwiches to sophisticated appetizers. Perfectly crisp on the outside and delightfully soft within, these individual-sized breads are tailor-made for making quick, satisfying meals. Their size makes them ideal for portion control, meal prepping, and party platters, ensuring every bite is fresh and flavorful.

Why Small Panini Breads Are Irresistible

What sets small panini breads apart is their golden, thin crust and airy, chewy center—just the right vessel for melting cheese, grilled vegetables, or savory spreads. They’re easy to make at home and can be customized with herbs, seeds, or cheeses to suit your taste. Whether you’re prepping school lunches or planning a crowd-pleasing appetizer board, these little breads never disappoint.

Crafting Perfect Small Panini Bread

This panini bread recipe uses a dough with a touch of olive oil, giving it a tender crumb and that signature Italian flavor. The dough is shaped into mini ovals and cooked on a hot grill pan for beautiful grill marks that add both flavor and presentation value. You can make the dough ahead and cook just what you need for ultimate freshness!

Best Ways to Serve Small Panini Bread

Slice and fill with classic panini fixings like mozzarella, tomato, and basil, or use them as dippers for soups and salads. They’re also fantastic served warm with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt for snacking. For gatherings, offer them as part of a DIY sandwich station with assorted fillings and spreads.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 8 small panini breads. Each serving contains approximately 110 to 130 calories, depending on toppings and additions. Made with simple pantry ingredients, these breads can fit seamlessly into most meal plans.

Flavorful Panini Breads Every Time (Recap)

Small panini breads are quick, customizable, and perfectly portioned. Their blend of crispy exterior and pillowy interior makes them an instant hit for sandwiches, snacks, or entertaining. Make a batch and discover just how easy homemade bread can be.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir well.
2. Add warm water and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticky, add a bit more flour; if too dry, add a splash of water.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
5. Punch the dough down and divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a small oval or round about 4 inches across.
6. Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Brush the pan lightly with olive oil.
7. Optionally brush each dough oval with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs, cheese, or seeds.
8. Cook 2-3 breads at a time for 2-3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until golden with grill marks. Repeat with remaining dough.
9. Let cool slightly, slice, fill, and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Weekly Meal Planning

This small panini bread recipe is a fantastic addition to your weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to plan ahead, consolidate shopping lists, and streamline family meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates ingredient quantities for the entire week
• Organizes your shopping list by store section
• Avoids duplicate purchases and forgotten items
• Makes prepping school lunches and snacks stress-free

Pro tip: When you schedule recipes that use shared ingredients, your grocery list is updated instantly—saving time and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Rise Time: 45–60 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes (including rise time)