15 Healthy Panini Recipes You Can Feel Good About Gobbling Up

We know just what you’re thinking…

Is panini bread healthy?

Well, as you know, it could be unhealthy if you’re not choosing the right bread.

When it comes to making a healthy panini, a key secret is in choosing the right bread.

If you choose a healthy whole wheat for example, you’re giving your body the fiber and nutrition it needs.

At the supermarket, besides 100% whole grain, you can look for sprouted breads.

Anything that lists flour as the first ingredient and doesn’t have many other ingredients is usually what we consider healthy.

You need to watch for added sweeteners too.

Healthy breads won’t have those.

And a good healthy bread will typically have fiber and protein in every slice.  

As for those ingredients, healthy options always come with plenty of veggies.

They use healthier condiments.

Sometimes, they use things like mayo but in small amounts, keeping in line with being healthy. 

And any meats in these healthful sandwiches tend to be lean.  

These healthy panini press recipes have got you covered with what to put inside.

To make a healthy panini, all you really need are healthy things to fill it with plus a quality bread that meets your dietary needs. 

Then you can make healthy chicken panini recipes or any healthy sandwich recipe there is.

Good thing that these healthy paninis are just what you need to shake up lunch while staying on track with your health and fitness plans!

15 Healthy Panini Recipes You’ll Want Your Hands on 

Get your good-for-you bread ready to go and load it up with all these panini possibilities! Yum!

1. Skinny Chicken and Roasted Veggie Panini

If you have rotisserie chicken, you’re halfway there to making this nutrient-rich sandwich.

Make a mixture of olive oil and red wine vinegar and brush it onto your veggies.

Use zucchini, bell pepper, onions, and tomatoes.

Then jazz it up with some fresh basil and mozzarella.

Once you press it together, this panini packs full-on flavor with a skinnier format that won’t leave you feeling hungry. 

2. Healthy Greek Chicken Panini

 

With this Mediterranean-inspired panini, you need multigrain flour tortillas.

Then you’ll put in some cooked chicken (anything leftover will do) plus red peppers, spinach, and feta.

Spray the outside with cooking spray and you’ll have a wonderfully healthy panini to hold onto for your lunch today.

Get more details about this recipe from Allrecipes. 

3. Low Fat Club Panini

You can totally join the club…the low fat healthy panini club that is!

You’ll need cooked bacon, with the fat drained away and deli turkey slices.

Then you can put it together with a little Dijon and mayo mixed together, low-fat Swiss, and slices of tomatoes.

Chives add some fun contrast and color too.

On your healthy panini bread, you’ll stack it up and press it down for a melty panini that fits your lifestyle!

4. Healthy Pizza Panini

Yes, pizza can be healthy and the folks at Key Ingredient offer up all the yummy instructions.

Especially when it comes to this panini.

You’ll take your whole wheat bread and add pizza sauce, part-skim mozzarella, chopped green bell peppers, and turkey pepperoni.

That’s how you get a delicious and healthy way to do pizza!

5. Cheesy Chicken Fajita Panini

 

If a health food in your mind looks barren and bland, toss that image out right now!

This grilled chicken fajita panini has loads of flavor.

You rub spice on it prior to grilling and it takes on a juicy texture.

Then there’s the grilled peppers and onions.

And the creamy fontina.

Oh, and did we mention chimichurri?

Well, we’re mentioning it! 

This cheesy chicken fajita panini tastes so good, you’ll forget it’s healthy.

In fact, it’s one of our favorite healthy chicken panini recipes.

Joyful Healthy Eats has the full recipe for you!

6. Turkey, Apple, Cheddar & Arugula Panini

 

It’s got a little of everything which will give you some pretty tasty flavors in this heavenly handheld delight.

Simple and delicious, you’ve got turkey, cheddar, arugula, and apple for a balance of sweet, savory, and a little peppery.

Plus, it’s only got 235 calories. 

You read that right! 

Dara from Cookin’ Canuck has a tasty recipe you’ll love.

7. Healthy Roast Beef Panini

Get your iron in to help you play with this roast beef panini.

A little horseradish mixed with a little mayo makes for a flavorful spread.

Use low-fat cheddar, tomatoes, and spinach too.

And those thin whole wheat sandwich slices.

This delicious sandwich takes no time at all to put together and give you a lunch you can feel good about eating. 

8. Chicken Avocado Panini

 

Juicy, cooked chicken breasts make this light and tasty panini come together quick.

Grilled, baked, or sauteed, you’ll put it on your panini bread of choice. 

Avocados, paprika, and pickled peppers give this sandwich a variation in tastes and textures for a delicious combination.

Try it for lunch today!

This recipe idea was inspired by Eat Smarter. 

9. Chicken Panini with Butternut Squash

 

A spread of butternut squash adds satisfying yet healthy flavors to your panini.

Curry and cumin help bring it to life.

Then you’ll add shredded cooked chicken, mozzarella, and spinach with it on a panini flatbread.

And you’ll wonder where this has been your whole life.

No worries…you can make up for lost time starting right now.

The full recipe is on My Fitness Pal. 

10. Bruschetta Panini

 

The fresh flavors of bruschetta are sure to perk up your day and your panini too.

Mozzarella is a must, but turkey is optional if you’re looking for a vegetarian panini recipe.

You can add your tomatoes and basil along with mayo and a hint of olive oil. 

This tasty bruschetta panini will only take minutes to make and quite likely, only seconds for you to devour.

Be sure to check out our list of other great bruschetta partners that go together beautifully.

11. Greens and Mushroom Panini

This glorious recipe comes to us from NYT Cooking. 

If you’re passionate about portobello mushrooms, you’re going to love this full-of-flavor recipe!

Use your favorite greens like kale or Swiss chard.

Garlic and medium portobellos are needed too.

And then you have that Gruyere to tie it all together.

It’s simple, yet so delicious you’ll want to make this panini all the time!

12. Goat Cheese & Kalamata Paninis

 

Kalamata olives, goat cheese, spinach, and tomatoes make up the savory base of this panini sandwich.

Just be sure your olives don’t have the pits still in them or your sandwich will be the pits rather than the tops. 

It’s such a flavorful combination of simple ingredients that truly please the palate, like something you’d get at a corner café.

But in your home, there’s no wait for a table so take your time and enjoy!

Clean Eating has the recipe for you. 

13. Cheese and Tuna Panini

Tuna is one of the best and healthiest ways to get protein you’ll find. 

Even if you add a little mayo to keep it from being dry, it will still be a healthy choice.

Add some lettuce, red onions, tomatoes, and don’t forget just a hint of cheese.

We like mozzarella, but feel free to use whatever you’ve got. 

Even Swiss will do nicely to complement your tuna panini!

14. Eggplant Panini with Pesto

 

You don’t need much to make a healthy panini.

But to keep it from being a bland panini, make sure the few things you put into it have big flavors.

Grilled eggplant will help you achieve that flavorful status.

And pesto of course. 

What has better flavor than that?

Part skim mozzarella and tomato finish off the whole thing.

Then when you press it, it creates something sensational.

Yes, it takes a little time to grill that eggplant first, but it’s so worth it.

You can thank Gina at Skinny Taste for this amazing recipe!

15. Avocado Chicken Salad Panini

Alisa from Go Dairy Free, shares this rendition for health-conscious eaters.

While dairy isn’t unhealthy, it’s nice to have options that everyone can eat. Vegan panini, anyone?

That said, this avocado chicken salad panini brings you healthy flavors so good, you will love eating right!

You’ll need cooked boneless skinless chicken breast, an avocado, onion, and dairy-free coconut milk yogurt. 

To flavor it up, mix balsamic vinegar with garlic powder.

Cilantro is a great way to add flavor and nutrition without adding anything you don’t want.

With a bit of salt and pepper, it all perks right up on your healthy panini bread. 

See that? Paninis can most certainly be a healthy choice for your lunch or a light dinner.

It’s all about the ingredients you use inside and the bread to hold it together. Paninis are a fun way to make eating healthy happen.

You can get the whole family eating healthy without knowing it, or simply make yourself the kind of meal you really want to eat while taking good care of your wellness!