Check in Panera Bread Sandwich Menu: Choices & Nutrition

Plan your order fast: the panera bread sandwich menu shows prices, calories, and portion choices so you can pick with confidence.

This guide breaks down the latest items and highlights what to order. It uses current US figures and published nutrition snapshots.

Expect a product-roundup format that flags what’s new, what’s most popular, and how to choose by flavor or protein. The April 4, 2024 transformation added four new sandwiches and more than 20 menu changes, which matters when you compare a classic item to the newest handhelds.

You’ll find an at-a-glance table later with item, price, calories, dietary fit, and allergens. The piece also calls out taste and nutrition for the newest items and shows the half vs whole value angle so you can compare cost per serving.

What’s new on Panera’s sandwich lineup after the April 2024 menu transformation

The April 4, 2024 refresh reshaped the handheld lineup with four new entries and more than 20 changes. The update refreshed core options and aimed to balance hearty hot picks with a lighter BLT-style choice.

The four new additions to watch

Chicken Bacon Rancher: a creamy, comfort-forward chicken + bacon + ranch option.

Ciabatta Cheesesteak: steak, provolone, and caramelized onion for an indulgent hot pick.

Toasted Italiano: an Italian-deli stack with cured meats and bold dressing.

Tomato Basil BLT: a refreshed BLT on tomato basil miche for a lighter feel.

What was discontinued and why it matters

Flatbreads and Mediterranean bowls were removed. If you used those formats for variety, sharing, or lower-calorie builds, you’ll notice fewer lighter-format choices at one time.

Reading half vs whole portion value

Halves often cost more per inch than a whole, but they help when pairing with soup or controlling portions. Compare whole price vs two halves and calories per dollar to find the best value.

panera bread sandwich menu overview with prices and calories

Use this quick reference to compare heated and chilled selections by price, calories, and dietary notes. The list is split into hot sandwiches and cold sandwiches so you can pick hearty melts or lighter deli-style options.

Hot sandwiches list with updated prices and calories

Cold sandwiches list with updated prices and calories

Note: Hot items tend to be richer and higher in calories; cold options usually feel lighter. The highest listed calorie is 1280 for a hot stack, while the lightest cold pick is 490.

Which sandwiches are available as half portions

Half portions are offered on many popular items, but availability varies by location. Confirm at your local spot. Confirmed commonly available halves include:

• French Ciabatta Dipper — half often available
• Ciabatta Cheesesteak — half often available
• Chicken Bacon Rancher — half often available
• Tomato Basil BLT — half often available

Best value per calorie: Look at the Mediterranean Veggie (490 cal, $7.99) for lower calories per dollar.

Best for sharing: Larger hot melts like the French Ciabatta Dipper provide the most volume for the price when feeding two.

Best hot sandwiches for bold flavor and hearty cravings

A hearty hot list helps you decide fast between creamy, smoky, or deli-forward tastes. Pick by texture and heat: melty cheese, rich sauces, or crisp cured meats.

Chicken Bacon Rancher on Black Pepper Focaccia

Why it stands out: grilled white meat chicken, Applewood smoked bacon, white cheddar, and ranch dressing on black pepper focaccia create a bread-forward, creamy profile.

Who should order this: protein-focused eaters and comfort-food fans. Price (whole): $12.29; half: $8.89.

Ciabatta Cheesesteak with provolone, caramelized onions, and garlic aioli

Why it stands out: marinated steak meets melted provolone and sweet caramelized onions. Garlic aioli and peppadew-style peppers add richness and tang.

Who should order this: steak lovers and rich-flavor seekers. Price (whole): $12.99; half: $9.29.

Toasted Italiano with Black Forest ham, soppressata, Greek dressing, and red onion

Why it stands out: a stacked deli build—ham, soppressata, provolone—gains bite from red onion and tang from Greek dressing. Try the dressing on the side to control richness.

Who should order this: fans of classic deli flavor and bold seasoning. Price (whole): $12.99; half: $9.29.

Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt, Toasted Frontega Chicken, and Smokehouse BBQ Chicken

Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt: smoky chipotle with cooling avocado for balanced heat. Ideal for spice seekers and those who want creamy contrast.

Toasted Frontega Chicken: a familiar, reliable hot option when you want a classic taste without extremes. Good for steady, moderate calories.

Smokehouse BBQ Chicken: sweet-smoky sauce and savory cheese make it satisfying without being the highest-calorie pick. Great for sauce lovers.

Top cold sandwiches when you want something lighter

When you want something that feels light, chilled options deliver fresh textures and crisp greens. These picks trade heavy melts for vine-ripened tomatoes, lettuce, and chilled proteins. Below are three reliable choices and quick customization tips.

Tomato Basil BLT on Tomato Basil Miche with garlic aioli

Why it works: Tomato Basil Miche is soft and cloud-like, so the BLT feels refreshing even when it has bacon and aioli.

Ask for light garlic aioli to cut richness. Price: ~$9.69; Calories: ~760.

Mediterranean Veggie for a produce-forward pick

Why it works: This is the most produce-forward choice. It stacks tomatoes, greens, and savory cheese for a meatless lunch that still satisfies.

Price: $7.99; Calories: 490. Great for plant-leaning eats.

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad for sweet-savory balance

Why it works: Fruit and nuts add sweetness and crunch to chilled chicken salad. Note the walnut allergen if you order.

Price: $9.49; Calories: 640.

Best pairings: chips, a fruit cup, or soup keep the meal light. Quick decision guide: choose the BLT for classic deli vibes, Mediterranean Veggie for plant-forward freshness, or chicken salad for sweet-savory comfort.

Nutrition spotlight on Panera’s newest sandwiches

Below is a compact nutrition breakdown of each new entry, with quick tips on portioning and dressings.

Chicken Bacon Rancher: protein vs. sodium

Why it stands out: 870 calories, 51g protein, 2,260mg sodium. The chicken and bacon combo gives big protein but also higher salt and saturated fat.

Tip: Choose a half portion or ask for ranch dressing on the side to tame richness and lower calories per bite.

Ciabatta Cheesesteak: calorie-heavy, protein-rich

Why it stands out: 1,120 calories and 55g protein. This is a top-calorie steak pick that rewards sharing or ordering a half.

Tip: Pick a half if you’re watching calories, or pair with a light side instead of fries.

Toasted Italiano: sodium caution and dressings

Why it stands out: 1,250 calories and a sodium heavyweight at 3,660mg, driven by cured meats and Greek dressing.

Tip: Ask for dressings on the side and skip extra cheese to drop how “heavy” it eats.

Tomato Basil BLT: feels lighter but not low-cal

Why it stands out: 790 calories, 27g protein, 2,060mg sodium. Fresh tomatoes and greens give a lighter texture though calories remain moderate.

Tip: Get a half, request light garlic aioli, or remove extra cheese to reduce saturated fat.

• Nutrition scoreboard: calories, protein, and sodium are the fastest levers to decide whole vs. half.
• What to do next: choose a half, skip extra cheese, or ask for dressings (Greek dressing, ranch, garlic aioli) on the side to control calories and sat fat.

Bread, cheese, and sauces that define the taste

The right crust, cheese, and sauce decide whether a bite sings or just fills you. This short guide shows how base choices shape texture and flavor so you can match cravings to the right build.

Black Pepper Focaccia — salty, aromatic, and chewy

Black pepper focaccia is salty, soft-chewy, and fragrant. Its thick crumb can dominate milder fillings, making the sandwich feel very “bread-forward.”

Fans love it for contrast with creamy sauces and smoky proteins.

Tomato Basil Miche — softer, fresher platform

Tomato basil miche is tender and more delicate. It lets tomatoes, basil, and greens shine.

This softer base makes BLT-style builds feel lighter on the palate.

White cheddar vs provolone — sharpness and melt

White cheddar brings a sharper tang and bold finish. It cuts through smoky or salty meats.

Provolone melts creamier and pairs well with steak or Italian-style meats.

Garlic aioli, ranch, and Greek dressing — pick the right finish

Garlic aioli adds rich, garlicky body. Ranch dressing gives creamy herb comfort. Greek dressing adds oil-and-vinegar tang that lifts cured meats.

Peppers, red onion, and tomatoes — where the zing comes from

Peppers (peppadew or pepperoncini), red onion, and ripe tomatoes cut salt and fat with bright acid and crunch.

Quick pairing tips: choose pepper focaccia + cheddar + ranch for smoky/creamy; tomato basil + provolone + Greek dressing for tangy/bright; miche + garlic aioli + peppers for classic deli balance.

How to choose the right sandwich for your goals

Pick a meal that matches your goal—fuel, slim-down, bold heat, or classic deli comfort—without scanning the whole list.

Best picks for high protein

Go to the protein lane when you need staying power. The Toasted Italiano tops the list with 59g of protein, followed by the Ciabatta Cheesesteak (55g) and the Chicken Bacon Rancher (51g).

Why they work: steak, chicken, and bacon builds load on protein and feel filling fast. Order a whole if you need fuel, or split a whole when sharing.

Best picks for lower calories and lighter portions

Choose the Mediterranean Veggie at 490 calories for a lighter plate. Another easy move is to order a half to cut roughly half the calories while keeping flavor.

Tip: ask for dressings on the side and pick a softer, thinner bread to keep the meal light.

Best picks for spice and smoky flavor

Pick chipotle-leaning builds and items with peppadew or pepperoncini for heat and smoke without added cheese. Smoky sauces and peppers add bold flavor while limiting extra calories.

How to order: request sauce on the side or skip extra cheese to keep the spice front and center.

Best picks for classic deli vibes

When you want a classic, choose ham + cheddar combos or a BLT-style build. These selections are easy to customize and hit familiar savory notes.

Quick swap: pick provolone or cheddar, hold heavy aioli, and you get a tidy, classic bite every time.

• Goal-first chooser: protein = Toasted Italiano/Ciabatta Cheesesteak/Chicken Bacon Rancher; lighter = Mediterranean Veggie or half; spicy/smoke = chipotle or pepper-forward items; classic = ham + cheddar or blt.
• Remember: bread and sauces can swing the experience—manage aioli and choose your base to match your goals.

Ordering tips for the best value and customization

Smart ordering saves money and keeps your meal balanced—here’s how to pick the best portion and tweaks.

When a half makes more sense

Choose a half if you pair the item with soup or a salad, want to cut calories, or crave variety without committing to one whole sandwich. Example half prices: Tomato Basil BLT half $6.39; Toasted Italiano half $9.29; Ciabatta Cheesesteak half $9.29; Chicken Bacon Rancher half $8.89.

Easy swaps that change taste fast

Ask for dressing on the side, request light garlic aioli, or add extra vegetables for crunch. These small moves shift flavor and the amount of richness per bite.

Pairings and balance fixes

For a comfort combo, pair the Tomato Basil BLT with creamy tomato soup in a You Pick Two style meal. For a lighter plate, choose a smaller side or fruit cup.

Quick note: sauces and cheese can add dairy or egg; breads contain gluten—always confirm allergen info before you swap.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Consider this quick wrap: the updated lineup gives clear lanes—hearty hot picks, fresher cold choices, and easy half portions for control. Use the overview table to scan calories, allergens, and dietary fit before you order from the Panera Bread selection.

Four new sandwiches stand out: Chicken Bacon Rancher (ranch + white cheddar comfort), Ciabatta Cheesesteak (steak + provolone richness), Toasted Italiano (Italian meats + Greek dressing tang), and the Tomato Basil BLT (tomato + basil refresh). Pick the right bread and cheese to shape the bite—black pepper focaccia versus tomato basil miche change the result.

For a lighter plate, ask for dressing or garlic aioli on the side. If you want maximum satisfaction, lean into chicken, bacon, or steak builds and enjoy a fuller meal. Mix portions and pairings to build a Panera meal that fits your day with confidence.