Recreating your bakery favorites at home is easier than you might think. Do you stick to a standard order or do you like to switch things up?
I usually grab the wild rice soup because the aroma is just incredible. Narrowing down the options was difficult with so many soups, salads, and sandwiches to choose from.
Hopefully your top pick is included in this list of 19 copycat recipes. You should give one of these a shot today!
1. Panera Bread Bistro French Onion Soup
This humble dish proves that inexpensive ingredients can still taste incredible. The onion and beef broth base packs a serious flavor punch. That rich beef taste is absolutely vital here.
You can swap in vegetable stock for a vegetarian version. Just be aware that the flavor profile will not be quite as deep. Use up your leftover bread to make the croutons.
I highly recommend sticking to the suggested cheeses for the best melt.
2. Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Panera Copycat)
I constantly crave chicken salad. Tender chicken mixed with creamy mayonnaise and onion makes for an excellent sandwich filling. This version is honestly out of this world.
The dressing uses a mix of mayo, honey, mustard, rosemary, and apple cider vinegar. Toasted almonds and grapes really make the dish special. You will want some sturdy bread to hold all that filling.
3. Copycat Panera Bread Green Goddess Cobb Salad
I order this frequently despite not being a huge salad lover. It is packed with great ingredients that keep you full. Pickled red onions add sweet and sour notes that pair well with the chicken and bacon.
Avocado, boiled egg, tomatoes, and feta round out the bowl with the green goddess dressing. You can skip the pickling process if you want raw onions for a peppery crunch.
4. Copycat Panera Turkey Chili
Fall means pumpkin spice and chili for me. I pull out my slow cooker as soon as I feel a chill in the air. Chili is incredibly versatile. I prefer using turkey to keep things a bit healthier.
I stick closely to this recipe but usually add chunks of squash or pumpkin. It adds great color and substance.
5. Panera Honey Walnut Cream Cheese
I was absolutely floored the first time I tried this. It is a wonderfully different option for a daily bagel breakfast. Do not skip the toasting step for the walnuts if you have a few minutes to spare.
It really brings out the flavor in the nuts. Blend the rest of the ingredients until smooth before adding the chopped nuts.
6. Panera Bread Baked Potato Soup
I have mentioned my love for the humble potato before. It is hands down the most versatile vegetable you can find. This soup is nearly addictive and very cheap to make.
The recipe uses a reduced chicken stock base that is brimming with flavor. I usually mash half the potatoes for texture and leave the rest diced.
7. Copycat Panera Wild Blueberry Muffins
You can use frozen blueberries here if that is what you have on hand. Fresh berries are great if you can get them. These muffins are big and have a very tender crumb.
You get pops of blueberry in every single bite. I love the crunch from the sugar topping. You can omit it if you prefer.
8. Panera Creamy Tomato Soup Copycat Recipe
I would eat soup every single day if possible. I was in heaven when I worked at a bakery that served two soups daily. Canned tomato soup often tastes too acidic for me.
That is why I make this Panera version instead. Roast vine-ripened tomatoes with garlic and onion before adding them to the pot. The sugar balances everything out so do not skip it.
9. Baja Grain Bowls
This one is for you if you love burrito bowls. The mix of rice and quinoa provides a great texture contrast. You also get some bonus protein from the grains.
The zesty dressing pairs perfectly with the corn and tomatoes. You can keep this vegetarian by simply not adding meat to the top.
10. Panera’s Thai Chicken Salad
This salad is crunchy and spicy and loaded with extras. The spicy peanut sauce and Thai chili vinaigrette are reason enough to make it. I love that it includes edamame.
I always add sliced mango to bring some freshness to the dish. Make extra vinaigrette and marinate the chicken for a flavor boost.
11. Copycat Panera Squash Soup
This soup has to be healthy with all that pumpkin and carrot in the mix. It is definitely one of the most flavorful options on this list.
You can omit the cream cheese and butter to keep it vegan. Add heavy cream if you want something extra indulgent. Coconut cream works as a great middle ground.
12. Instant Pot Panera 10 Vegetable Soup
This soup definitely does not lack nutrients. It is packed with spinach, barley, celery, onion, peas, carrots, corn, and peppers. You can have it ready in just 15 minutes.
Adjust the vegetables to suit your taste. You might want to reduce the garlic since the recipe calls for eight cloves.
13. Ham & Cheese Breakfast Soufflé
This meat-lovers version of the crescent roll soufflé is definitely worth trying. The combination of salty ham and melted cheese is a great way to start the day.
It is super simple to throw together. The base recipe is fantastic and easy to modify. I have made versions with caramelized onions or leftover rotisserie chicken.
14. Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
I worried this would be like eating a bowl of queso before I tried it. I have never been so happy to be wrong. The cheese flavor is strong and the soup is thick.
It works perfectly when mixed with chicken stock and broccoli. I like to mix up my cheeses to get different flavors.
15. Panera Bread Cobblestone Muffins
These muffins feature a spiced apple and cinnamon-raisin filling. They get finished with a streusel top and icing drizzle. This is the one to pick if you are starting your day with a muffin.
It is filling enough to get you through to lunch. You will need to make the yeast-based dough ahead of time.
16. Strawberry Chicken Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing
I love adding fruit to my salads. It brightens the dish and provides great sweetness alongside savory dressing and salty meat. This recipe includes blueberries to make it super fruity.
Pecans give it a fantastic crunch. You can leave the poppy seeds out of the dressing if you cannot find them.
17. Spinach and Cheese Egg Soufflé
Did you recoil at the word soufflé? This is not something you just whip up on a whim. It is really more of a quiche or baked egg pastry.
You do not need to whip any egg whites here. Use ready-made crescent rolls for the crust and just pour the filling inside.
18. Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
I absolutely adore white mac and cheese. It looks more appetizing than the orange version and the cheese flavor is strong. I add bacon to the top because it pops against the light sauce.
Find good quality cheese and grate it yourself for the best sauce. Packaged cheese has a coating that stops it from melting smoothly.
19. Watermelon Mint Salad
I have to admit this one is not my personal favorite. I included it because I know it is hugely popular. This simple summer salad takes just 20 minutes to assemble.
You likely have most ingredients at home aside from the mint leaves. I prefer using honey instead of sugar in the dressing.
