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, A+ Yummy Breakfast Panini Recipes, and Easy Vegetarian Panini Recipes.
For more good ideas, see the website Panini Sandwiches.
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.
Janienne Jennrich - Janienne Jennrich, Topic Editor for Kids & Teen Parties and for Hair, is an award-winning freelance writer & webmaster.
