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10 Panera Copycat Recipes So You Can Re-Create Your Faves At Home

We've got all their hits here (even the discontinued ones!).

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copycat panera frontega chicken panini
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

In the world of fast-casual restaurants, a few reign supreme. One of our faves? Panera! Whether you hit one every day for a quick lunch or light dinner, or haven’t been to one in years, we can all admit there’s something special about some of their menu items, from their sandwiches to their salads to their soups (ESPECIALLY the soups). Thanks to these copycat recipes, you can make a little of that magic at home. Try them and see—you might never need set food in a Panera again (unless, ofc, it’s to try and snag a limited edition Panera BAGuette 😆).

You can’t talk about Panera without talking about their soups (and the bread bowls they come in). We’ve included two of their top offerings here—their autumn squash soup and their broccoli-cheddar soup. Buy boules or make your own sourdough bread to serve them in to really take it over the top.

More of a soup & salad person? Try your soup alongside our copycats of their strawberry poppyseed salad, their green goddess Cobb, or their Thai chicken salad to round out your meal.

Feeling even hungrier? Pair a soup or salad with a bowl of Panera’s mac & cheese, or alongside a sandwich, like our copycat frontega chicken panini. The best part about these recipes? You can customize them all you like, without having to rely on an app (or worse, an employee 😉) to get your order just how you like it.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to end your meal with something sweet. Our Panera chocolate chip cookies are spot on (and our cinnamon crunch soft pretzels, though not exactly like the famed Panera bagels, certainly scratch that itch).

Want even more dupe recipes? Check out our Starbucks copycats, our Cheesecake Factory copycats, and our fast food copycats too.

1

Broccoli-Cheddar Soup

broccoli cheddar soup
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Is there anything more hearty, cheesy and perfect than broccoli-cheddar soup? You get all of the stick-to-your-ribs goodness and the sharp, cheesy flavor from the cheddar, while still getting a good dose of veggies (even broccoli haters will love it!). Perfect on a winter night, yet craveable year round, this copycat means you can make this Panera classic any time you like.

Get the Broccoli-Cheddar Soup recipe.

2

Copycat Panera Frontega Chicken Panini

copycat panera frontega chicken panini
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

We love hot panini of any kind, but this homemade version of our favorite Panera Bread panini is extra-special. Smoky shredded chicken, melty mozzarella, and juicy tomatoes are pressed between focaccia to create a sandwich that’s crispy-crunchy on the outside, and soft and warm in the middle. Lunchtime heaven.

Get the Copycat Panera Frontega Chicken Panini recipe.

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3

Copycat Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

copycat panera bread strawberry poppyseed salad with chicken, mandarin oranges, blueberries, strawberries, and pecans
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING BARRETT WASHBURNE

As much fruit salad as it was green salad, Panera's beloved salad featured a juicy orange and onion poppyseed dressing and pops of fresh fruit, like strawberries, blueberries, Mandarin oranges, and pineapple. We’re hoping it’ll one day return to the Panera menu so we can order it alongside other faves, but in the meantime, it’s crazy easy to make at home so you can enjoy it whenever you want.

Get the Copycat Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad recipe.

4

Copycat Panera Mac & Cheese

copycat panera mac and cheese
ANDREW BUI

Newsflash: You don’t need to leave your house to enjoy your favorite fast-casual mac & cheese anymore. With this recipe, you can make it for a crowd and at a fraction of the price of takeout from the restaurant. The key: a combination of white cheddar for that deep cheesiness and white American cheese to impart a silky texture.

Get the Copycat Panera Mac & Cheese recipe.

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5

Panera Autumn Squash Soup

panera autumn squash soup
PARKER FEIERBACH

Panera's soups have a cult following (understandably so), but their Autumn Squash soup's popularity is unparalleled. Our copycat version has butternut squash, pumpkin, carrots, and shallots for a sweet and fully fall flavor.

Get the Panera Autumn Squash Soup recipe.

6

Copycat Panera Bread Green Goddess Cobb Salad With Chicken

copycat panera bread green goddess salad
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Panera’s Cobb salad is like no other, thanks to their creamy and bright green goddess dressing. The rest of the salad has all of your classic Cobb toppings, like hard-boiled eggs and crispy bacon, but feel free to switch things up if you like.

Get the Copycat Panera Bread Green Goddess Cobb Salad With Chicken recipe.

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7

Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup

soup
JONATHAN BOULTON

If you love this chicken and rice soup at Panera, just wait until you try it at home. Our copycat has spot on flavor, and takes less than an hour to make.

Get the Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup recipe.

8

Copycat Panera Chocolate Chip Cookies

copycat panera chocolate chip cookies
ETHAN CALABRESE

These chocolate chip cookies are just like the one's from Panera, and you can make them at home in only 30 minutes. Mini chocolate chips FTW!

Get the Copycat Panera Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

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9

Copycat Panera Thai Chicken Salad

panera thai chicken salad in a bowl
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

If you were shocked and dismayed when Panera Bread discontinued their Thai chicken salad, today’s your lucky day. Featuring chicken breast, blistered vegetables, and that iconic peanut sauce drizzle, our copycat version of this beloved classic allows you to enjoy it at home any day of the week.

Get the Copycat Panera Thai Chicken Salad recipe.

10

Cinnamon Sugar Crunch Pretzels

cinnamon sugar crunch pretzels
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Okay, so these aren't exactly a complete dupe for Panera's cinnamon sugar crunch bagels, but they definitely scratch that itch, so we're including them. Feel free to try this topping on homemade bagels too, and let us know how it goes!

Get the Cinnamon Sugar Crunch Pretzels recipe.

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