34 Copycat Panera Bread Recipes (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style

Step up to the counter—the kitchen counter, that is—and make copycat Panera Bread recipes for pastries, sandwiches, soups and salads.

1/34

Inspired by: Mac and Cheese

My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

2/34

Inspired by: Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan

3/34

Inspired by: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This creamy, cheesy broccoli soup tastes just like the one served at Panera Bread! My family requests it all the time. You can even make your own homemade bread bowls with the recipe on my blog, Yammie’s Noshery. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan

Read more on how to make acopycat Panera bread bowl—or better yet, how to get a free Panera toasted baguette.

4/34

Inspired by: Bear Claw

This bear claw pastry recipe is absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious! It’s impossible to resist the delicate dough, rich almond filling and pretty fanned tops sprinkled with sugar and almonds. I made yummy treats like this when I worked in a bakery years ago. —Aneta Kish, La Crosse, Wisconsin

5/34

Inspired by: Chicken Caesar Salad

This classic handheld with tender chicken, Parmesan cheese and chopped Caesar croutons features the perfect amount of dressing for a tasty meal any night. Nancy Pratt – Longview, TX

6/34

Inspired by: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Years ago, I fell hard for a lemony Greek soup at Panera Bread. It was just a special back then, but I re-created it at home so we could eat it whenever a craving hit! —Kristin Cherry, Bothell, Washington

By the way, this is how to make Panera’s Greek lemon chicken soup.

7/34

Inspired by: Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake

I love the excellent texture of this easy coffee cake recipe. Always a crowd-pleaser, its pleasing vanilla flavor enriched by sour cream may remind you of breakfast at Grandma’s! Make it the night before a holiday to save time in the morning. —Eleanor Harris, Cape Coral, Florida

8/34

Inspired by: Asiago Cheese Bagel

Discover a cheesy alternative to the usual sweet bread brunch offerings. There’s no need to stop by a bakery when you can make this asiago bagel recipe at home. —Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska

9/34

Inspired by: Green Goddess Cobb with Chicken Salad

I’m a huge fan of taking classic dishes and adding some flair to them. I also like to change up heavier dishes, like Cobb salad. I’ve traded out typical chicken for crunchy falafel that’s just as satisfying. — Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

10/34

Inspired by: Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup

My first Wisconsin winter was so cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup. Of all the chicken noodle soup recipes out there, this type of soup is my favorite and is in heavy rotation from November to April. It has many incredibly devoted fans.—Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado

11/34

Inspired by: Double Fudge Brownies

A neighbor brought over a pan of these rich fudge brownies along with the recipe when I came home from the hospital with our baby daughter. I asked her how to make brownie frosting like that, and I’ve made them ever since for family occasions, potlucks and parties at work. —Sue Soderlund, Elgin, Illinois

12/34

Inspired by: Classic Grilled Cheese

These gooey grilled cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples. And they’re really fast to whip up, too. Here’s how to make grilled cheese the right way. —Kathy Norris, Streator, Illinois

13/34

This go-to weeknight recipe is one I tweaked over and over till it was just right. It has morphed from a labor-intensive wintry bowl to a steamy, comforting, slow-cooked favorite for our family. —Courtney Riggin, Hatchechubbee, Alabama

14/34

Inspired by: Caesar Salad

This crunchy, refreshing Caesar salad has a zippy, zesty dressing that provides a burst of flavor with each bite. It’s a great salad to perk up any spring or summer meal. —Schelby Thompson, Camden Wyoming, Delaware

15/34

Inspired by: Blueberry Muffin

Nothing is better than a warm blueberry muffin in the morning. This muffins are the best I have ever made. The wild blueberries make them extra special.—Dewey Grindle, Blue Hill, Maine

16/34

Inspired by: Creamy Tomato Soup

After craving tomato soup, I decided to make my own. My sister Joan likes it chunky-style, so she doesn’t puree. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich. —Marian Brown, Mississauga, Ontario

17/34

Inspired by: Bacon Turkey Bravo

My family thinks this sandwich is pure heaven thanks to the cranberry-pecan mayo. It’s so good that they ask me to make it all year long. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona

18/34

Inspired by: Pecan Roll

Soft and sweet, these rolls will get a lip-smacking smile from everyone. They rise nice and high, hold their shape and have a gooey caramel sauce that’s scrumptious. There’s no better way to start the day! —Carolyn Buschkamp, Emmetsburg, Iowa

New to baking bread? Check out our ultimatebread baking guide.

19/34

Inspired by: Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

Everyone at my table goes for this feel-good soup. It is quick when you’re pressed for time and beats fast food, hands down. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin

20/34

Inspired by: Caramel Apple Thumbprint Scone

A drizzle of caramel complements the apple and whole wheat flavors of these rustic-looking scones. —Arlene Cook, Bainbridge, Georgia

21/34

Inspired by: Napa Almond Chicken Salad

Whether I make enough for just the two of us or increase the amounts for a social occasion, I always get a request for this recipe. There’s a nice mixture of flavors with the pickles and ripe olives, and a good crunch from the celery.

22/34

I like to serve this tasty dish for brunch along with fresh fruit when I’m having guests. Not only is it easy, but everyone enjoys it. Make it the night before, then the next day all you need to do is bake it. —Airy Murray, Williamsport, Maryland

23/34

Inspired by: Cinnamon Roll

When I married him, I discovered that my husband’s family has the best cinnamon roll recipe! I asked his mom how to make homemade cinnamon rolls, and I’ve been making them ever since. Serve them with scrambled eggs, and you have a filling breakfast. As a variation, you can replace the filling with a mixture of raisins and pecans. —Shenai Fisher, Topeka, Kansas

24/34

Inspired by: Fuji Apple with Chicken Salad

My favorite memory of eating this dish was when my mom made it for lunch on weekends when we were home from school and could have something other than “brown bag” lunches. Happy memories of childhood and late summer days just make this salad extra special. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

25/34

This souffle is not only absolutely delicious, but light and beautiful. Your guests will be impressed every time this brunch dish is served. So grab your fork and dig in to this little taste of Florence! —Jenny Flake, Newport Beach, California

26/34

Inspired by: Bistro French Onion Soup

Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah

27/34

With this recipe, two can enjoy the taste of something new and elegant in minutes. All you need to add is the ambiance for a bistro meal at home. —Karen Harris, Littleton, Colorado

28/34

Inspired by: New England Clam Chowder

This is the best New England clam chowder recipe, ever! In the Pacific Northwest, we dig our own razor clams and I grind them for the chowder. Since these aren’t readily available, the canned clams are perfectly acceptable. —Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington

29/34

Inspired by: Pumpkin Muffin

My mother always made these tasty muffins whenever our family got together at her house. Now they’re a family favorite at my house, and my in-laws love them, too! —Carolyn Riley, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

30/34

Inspired by: Watermelon Feta Salad

Capturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing, beautiful watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario

31/34

Inspired by: Four Cheese Souffles

No matter when I’ve made these soufflés, they have always been a success. Although I’ve never seen the centers start to fall, it’s best to plan on serving them hot from the oven. —Jean Ference, Sherwood Park, Alberta

32/34

Inspired by: Blueberry Scone

I love serving this blueberry scone recipe to visiting friends and family. I always make sure a have a few in the freezer. Just pop a frozen scone in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. —Joan Francis, Spring Lake, New Jersey

33/34

Inspired by: Baked Potato Soup

My husband and I enjoyed a delicious baked potato soup at a restaurant while on vacation and I came home determined to duplicate the flavor. It took me five years to get the taste right! —Joann Goetz, Genoa, Ohio

34/34

Inspired by: Asian Sesame with Chicken Salad

When my friends and I meet for Sunday get-togethers, this is the one dish they always ask me to make. I don’t mind since it travels well, is super easy to make, and absolutely delicious. —Stacy Reed, Gresham, Oregon

Dana is an editor and writer who shares her passion for travel, food and the beauty of American landscapes. When she's not wielding her red pen, she can be found tending her flower gardens, remodeling her house, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry or dancing to "Uptown Funk."