You can easily make crisp panini at home with a cast iron panini press. This inexpensive tool is space-efficient and only requires simple prep for perfectly pressed sandwiches every time.
Forever enamored with fun kitchen tools but resistant to filling up my countertops and cabinets with stuff, I was pumped when my husband gifted me a cast iron panini press for Christmas.
Its the panini press from Lodge (paid link), which nestles perfectly into the 10.5 inch square cast iron grill pan I already have. It works SO well to produce crispy pressed panini, is affordable, and basically takes up no kitchen space. Im in love!
For crisp panini, choose bread thats hearty and will hold its own when pressed. My favorite to use is ciabatta bread, either a larger loaf sliced or smaller rolls (pictured here). While lots of options will work, soft breads like a pre-sliced sandwich loaf, challah, or brioche wont produce that satisfying crispness we know and love.
If you’re using a stovetop press, just heat the lid and pan as you normally would for cooking a sandwich, then put your seasoned meat in the pan, place the press on top, and transfer the whole thing to a 375ºF oven to cook through.
Sandwich and Panini Recipes
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Stovetop Sandwich & Grill Press
FAQ
Do you have to butter bread before putting it in a panini press?
How do you cook a panini press?
A more mess-free alternative is to coat the griddles with cooking spray. You should then close the lid of your panini press and allow the cooking plates to heat. This will make your bread crispy, which will contrast well with the warm and soft fillings.
How do you cook a panini sandwich?
Cook – Carefully place the pan and press on a stovetop burner over medium heat. Place the sandwich (es) in the pan underneath the panini press, then cook for 5-7 minutes or until the bread is crisp, the cheese has melted, etc. Cast iron gets hot!
Are panini presses oven safe?
A cast iron panini press – This is oven-safe, weighted, and features ridges along the bottom surface to sizzle grill marks into your pressed sandwich. A cast iron pan – Ideally this will be a grill pan so it has corresponding ridges. Also oven-safe, choose one in which your panini press will fully fit inside.
How to oil a panini press?
Now that you have just applied oil to the press, you need to ensure that you do not put it over the flame directly as the oiled surface could create flaring. When you start to see the oil beginning to rise, it’s showtime. Brush a small amount of olive oil directly on your Panini’s surfaces.