Panini Sandwich Party Recipe Ideas
Ideas on How to Plan Fun Lunch or Dinner Grilled Sandwiches Parties
Have a fun panini party! Here are ideas and recipe ideas to entertain with a grilled sandwich lunch or dinner event. Guests will love designing their own custom paninis.
Panini Sandwiches are a Hot Trend
Paninis are grilled Italian-inspired sandwiches that are growing in popularity. With home panini makers now available at budget and ultra-gourmet prices, just about anyone can have the sandwich griller of their dreams. Making paninis of all sorts is enjoyable, simple, and delicious.
Planning a Panini Party
With panini making being such a hot trend, having a party centered around a panini theme is a fun idea. Below are ideas for food to inspire guests to create their own custom sandwiches. Add a couple of salads and wine or soda, and the party is ready.
Food Items for Panini Sandwich Making
Make available platters and bowls of delicious ingredients:
- An assortment of good quality breads and rolls
- Several types of sliced cheeses that melt well (such as havarti, provolone, mozzarella, cheddars, and Swiss)
- Sliced cooked deli meats (ham, turkey, roast beef, pepperoni, etc)
- Thinly sliced vegetables (green pepper, zucchini, onion, eggplant, etc.)
- Fruits like pineapple (for pizza paninis), olives, sliced tomatoes, avocados (best to add after grilling).
- Miscellaneous: avocados (best to add after grilling), sliced pre-sautéed mushrooms
Condiments to Set Up For a Panini Party
- Butter and no-burn margarine for the outsides of the bread (before grilling).
- Mayonnaise
- A variety of mustards
- Italian dressing
- Oil and vinegar,
- Ketchup
- Pizza sauce
- Salsa
- Mild and hot peppers.
- Pickles
- Lettuce
Ideas for Dessert Paninis
- Offer sweet breads for building dessert sandwiches
- Filling ideas include:
- Thinly sliced tart apples (or canned apple pie filling), cinnamon, and sugar
- Other canned pie fillings
- Chocolate bars
- Sliced strawberries mixed with sugar
- White and brown sugar
- Powdered sugar for topping
- Cinnamon
Watch dessert paninis closely, as sugar may burn more quickly.
Planning Ideas for a Panini Party
- Be sure to have someone who knows how to operate the panini maker nearby at all times.
- If there are people who can bring more panini makers, borrow them.
- If planning a garden or park picnic, remember the grills require electricity.
- Be sure to have proper spatulas for non-stick surfaces inside grills.
- Remember cups, plates, silverware, serving utensils, napkins, and a trash receptacle.
For panini recipe ideas (to offer to those who are not quite as adventurous), see Tasty Panini Sandwich Recipe Ideas and Easy Vegetarian Panini Recipes.
If preferred, plan special décor in a certain color or another theme. The party theme should be fairly casual, unless very fancy services and ingredients will be offered. Balloons are always festive or flowers bring a bit more elegance.
Relax and enjoy. Guests will love designing their own custom paninis.
