You can enjoy your favorite cafe dishes without ever leaving the house thanks to these easy copycat recipes. I know I struggle to choose between the soups and bakery items every time I visit, so having these options at home is a total lifesaver.
Here are 19 Panera Bread recipes that taste just like the real deal.
1. Watermelon Mint Salad
Honest moment here. This salad isn’t my personal number one pick, but everyone else seems to adore it.
You really only need twenty minutes to throw this summer staple together. Most ingredients are likely already in your kitchen, except maybe the fresh mint.
I love using this simple dressing on other greens too. Try swapping the sugar for honey and adding chili flakes for heat.
2. Copycat Panera Turkey Chili
Fall means two very specific things in my book. Bring on the pumpkin spice and big bowls of chili!
I grab my slow cooker as soon as the weather turns crisp. Turkey keeps this meal a little bit lighter than beef versions.
You can totally stick to the recipe as written. I usually toss in chunks of squash or pumpkin for extra color.
3. Ham & Cheese Breakfast Soufflé
You absolutely must try this meat lover’s spin on the crescent roll pastry. Salty ham pairs perfectly with melted cheese for an incredible start to your morning.
It really is super simple to assemble. Think of this recipe as a fantastic base for other flavors too.
I have made it with caramelized onions and garlic before. Leftover rotisserie chicken and rosemary work beautifully as well.
4. Panera’s Thai Chicken Salad
Hello, spicy and crunchy goodness! The spicy peanut sauce and Thai chili vinaigrette are reason enough to make this at home.
I love that it uses edamame since that bean deserves more attention. Sliced mango adds a necessary burst of freshness to the bowl.
Want even more flavor? Make extra vinaigrette and marinate your chicken for a few hours.
5. Copycat Panera Bread Green Goddess Cobb Salad
I order this meal constantly despite not being a huge salad person. It comes loaded with so many ingredients that actually keep you full.
Pickled red onions bring a nice sweet and sour note to the mix. You also get chicken, bacon, avocado, and boiled egg in there.
Raw red onions work great if you want a peppery crunch instead.
6. Instant Pot Panera 10 Vegetable Soup
This soup definitely delivers on the nutrients front. It packs in everything from peppers and corn to spinach and barley.
You can have the whole pot ready in just fifteen minutes. Feel free to swap out the veggies for whatever you prefer.
The recipe calls for eight cloves of garlic, so maybe cut back if you are not a mega fan.
7. Panera Honey Walnut Cream Cheese
My first bite of this spread totally floored me. It offers such a wonderfully different flavor profile for your morning bagel.
Please do not skip toasting the walnuts if you have a few minutes. That step really brings out the best nutty flavor.
Blend the other ingredients until smooth before stirring in your chopped nuts.
8. Panera Creamy Tomato Soup Copycat Recipe
Canned tomato soup often tastes way too acidic for me. I prefer using vine ripened tomatoes roasted alongside onion and garlic.
That step enhances the flavor in a mind blowing way. Adding sugar might seem a little odd for a savory dish.
It balances everything out perfectly though. You will definitely notice the difference if you skip it.
9. Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
I worried this would taste like eating a bowl of straight queso dip. I have never been so happy to be wrong about a recipe.
The soup is thick and boasts a very strong cheese flavor. It works perfectly when mixed with the chicken stock and veggies.
I like to mix up my cheese choices for different flavor profiles. Try a mature cheddar with something smoky for a new twist.
10. Strawberry Chicken Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing
Adding fruit to a savory salad is my jam. It brightens the entire bowl and adds sweetness to the salty meat.
This version includes blueberries for an extra fruity punch. Pecans provide a fantastic crunch in every bite.
Poppy seeds give the dressing a unique look and flavor. You can leave them out if you cannot find them.
11. Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Panera Copycat)
Chicken salad is one of those meals I crave constantly. Tender chicken mixed with creamy mayonnaise makes for an excellent sandwich filling.
This version is truly out of this world. The dressing uses honey and rosemary for big flavor.
Toasted almonds and grapes add sweet and crunchy textures that really make the dish. Grab some sturdy bread to hold all that filling.
12. Copycat Panera Squash Soup
This soup features squash, carrot, and pumpkin. It has to be one of the healthiest and most flavorful options here.
You can easily keep it vegan by leaving out the butter and cream cheese.
Make it extra indulgent with a splash of heavy cream. Coconut cream offers a great middle ground for texture.
13. Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
White mac and cheese is just superior in my book. It looks much more appetizing than the neon orange stuff.
The cheese flavor comes through quite strongly too. Bacon on top really pops against the pale sauce.
You must buy good quality cheese and grate it yourself. Pre shredded cheese has a coating that stops it from melting smoothly.
14. Baja Grain Bowls
This one goes out to all the burrito bowl lovers. A mix of quinoa and rice provides excellent texture contrast and extra protein.
The zesty dressing pairs perfectly with the corn and beans. You can keep this meal vegetarian friendly by skipping the meat topping.
15. Panera Bread Bistro French Onion Soup
This humble dish is inexpensive yet so incredibly good. The base consists of onion and beef broth.
That beef flavor is a vital aspect of this soup. Vegetable stock works for a vegetarian version but lacks the deep richness.
Make your own croutons by baking up some leftover bread. Stick to the suggested cheeses for the best melt and taste.
16. Panera Bread Cobblestone Muffins
These muffins feature a spiced apple and cinnamon raisin filling. A streusel top and icing drizzle finish them off.
It is loaded with flavor and filling enough to power you until lunch. The yeast based dough makes them more like a cinnamon roll.
You will need to make the dough ahead of time to let it rise.
17. Spinach and Cheese Egg Soufflé
Do not let the word soufflé scare you away. This recipe is really more like a baked egg pastry or quiche.
You do not need to whip any egg whites here. Use ready made crescent rolls for a simple crust.
Simply pour the filling inside and bake. I prefer small shallow dishes for these.
18. Panera Bread Baked Potato Soup
Potatoes are hands down the most versatile vegetable out there. This soup is practically addictive and very cheap to make.
The recipe uses a chicken base which is brimming with more flavor than average stock. I like my soup to have some texture.
I usually mash half the potatoes and leave the rest diced.
19. Copycat Panera Wild Blueberry Muffins
You can use frozen blueberries for this recipe. Definitely add fresh ones if you have them on hand though.
These muffins turn out big and tender with a moist crumb. You get pops of blueberry in every single bite.
The sugar topping adds a lovely crunch but you can omit it.