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20 Best Items on the Panera Breakfast Menu

By Lana Kisner | December 11, 2023

The Panera breakfast menu is full of sweet and savory items that will awaken your senses and energize your body in the morning. Some are full meals, while others are perfect as a quick bite or a side. Regardless of your choice, you can count on healthy and quality ingredients in each Panera breakfast item, just as you would in their sandwiches and soups.

Panera Bread serves breakfast until 10:30 a.m. every day, but most baked goods and sides are available all day. You’ll find warm and savory breakfast sandwiches, souffles, bagels, baked goods, and fruit dishes on their breakfast menu. To help you narrow down your options, I’ve rounded up the best Panera breakfast items and ranked them based on their taste and overall experience.

20. Pecan Braid

The Pecan Braid is Panera’s twist on the classic bear claw (which they also have). It’s made with a sweet pastry dough, which is braided with butter and a pecan filling, then topped with more pecans and an icing glaze.

19. Fresh Fruit Cup

A side of fruit pairs well with nearly any breakfast, which is why I included it on my list. Panera’s version is made with fresh cantaloupe, grapes, honeydew, and pineapple, so the flavors here are sweet, tangy, and refreshing.

18. Bagels

Grabbing a bagel for breakfast is always a good idea. They’re tasty and filling, and you can dress them up with sweet or savory toppings, depending on your mood. Panera’s bagels come in a variety of flavors and include a complimentary cheese spread on the side.

17. Bacon, Scrambled Egg & Cheese on Brioche

This sandwich reminds me of a classic breakfast sandwich at a diner, but of course, it’s made better with Panera’s tasty brioche bun. It includes applewood-smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, and melted aged white cheddar cheese.

16. Vanilla Cinnamon Roll

A cinnamon roll is a tasty way to treat your sweet tooth in the morning. Panera’s version is made with sweet dough, which is stuffed with a cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with vanilla icing. I love to pair it with their Colombian dark roast coffee.

15. Bacon, Scrambled Egg & Cheese on Brioche

This Panera breakfast sandwich includes applewood-smoked bacon, a scrambled egg patty, and melted white cheddar cheese. Salt and pepper are added to enhance the flavor, and everything is served on a fluffy brioche bun. It’s a great option when you don’t have time to explore the rest of their breakfast menu.

14. Scrambled Egg & Cheese on Ciabatta

If you’re looking for a delicious European-style breakfast sandwich, this may be right up your alley. It includes a scrambled egg patty and aged white cheddar cheese, which are served on a hearty artisan ciabatta. If you’re craving a bit more, you can always customize it by adding your favorite toppings.

13. Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries Parfait

This is a perfect light breakfast on its own, but you can also pair it with your favorite breakfast sandwich or souffle. Plus, it’s available all day, so you can choose it as a side item or a dessert to pair with your meal.

It starts with a Greek yogurt base that’s sweetened with honey. This is topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and a maple butter pecan granola that includes rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, pecans, and coconut.

12. Orange Scone

The Orange Scone is one of my favorite pastries at Panera, and while you can order it any time of day, I especially love it for breakfast. It’s creamy, tasty, and tangy with that orange-flavored icing on top.

11. Scrambled Egg & Cheese on Brioche

This is another simple but delicious Panera breakfast sandwich that’s served on fluffy brioche bread. It combines scrambled eggs with savory cheese, which is perfect to pair with a fruit cup and a coffee drink.

10. Chocolate Croissant

The Chocolate Croissant is a sweet breakfast treat that will definitely make your mouth water. This fresh-baked pastry at Panera starts with a butter croissant, which is stuffed with chocolate-flavored cream cheese filling. It’s then topped with chocolate drizzle and powdered sugar.

9. Sausage, Scrambled Egg & Cheese on Asiago Bagel

You can’t go wrong by combining three breakfast staples into one delicious sandwich, right? This is one of Panera’s newest breakfast items that I love. It takes a sausage patty, a folded scrambled egg, and American cheese and serves them up on a cheesy Asiago bagel. Add some salt, pepper, and garlic aioli for taste, and you’ll get a protein-packed breakfast bursting with flavor.

8. Steel Cut Oatmeal with Strawberries & Pecans

This healthy Panera breakfast item starts with a base of steel-cut oats. This is then topped with fresh strawberries, pecans, and a sweet cinnamon crunch topping made with cinnamon sugar. If you want extra flavors, you can add almonds and blueberries for an additional charge.

7. Chipotle Chicken Scrambled Egg & Avocado on Ciabatta

This is another of the newer items on the Panera breakfast menu. It starts with scrambled eggs and melted Gouda cheese and pairs it with a variety of hearty ingredients. Smoked pulled chicken adds more protein, while sweet Peppadew peppers, avocado slices, and cilantro add a fresh flavor. Everything is tied together with chipotle aioli and served on hearty artisan ciabatta bread. 

6. Spinach & Bacon Souffle

Breakfast sandwiches are great, but Panera’s souffles are at a whole different level. This one combines bacon with spinach and is baked fresh with an egg mixture and a cheddar cheese blend. These are filled with spinach, applewood-smoked bacon, and garlic and served in a croissant square. Absolutely delicious!

5. Bacon, Scrambled Egg & Cheese on Ciabatta

This hearty breakfast sandwich from Panera has everything you could want to start your day on the right foot. It’s made with applewood-smoked bacon, a folded scrambled egg, and aged white cheddar cheese. Salt and pepper are added for flavor, and everything is served on artisan ciabatta bread. You can customize it to your liking, and my favorite toppings to add are Peppadew peppers and avocado.

4. Chipotle Chicken, Scrambled Egg & Avocado on Ciabatta

You may need to sit down and grab a few extra napkins before eating this breakfast sandwich, but it’s definitely worth it. It combines the smoked flavors of pulled chicken and Gouda cheese with scrambled eggs, Peppadew peppers, avocado, and cilantro. The addition of chipotle aioli takes it to the next level with its creamy goodness.

3. Spinach & Artichoke Souffle

If you’re a fan of spinach & artichoke dip, you’ll love this souffle from Panera. It’s made with a savory egg mixture, spinach, a romano cheese blend, red peppers, artichoke hearts, and garlic. Everything is freshly baked in a croissant square that’s crispy on the edges yet soft and flakey as you peel it apart.

2. Avocado, Egg White & Spinach

This is one of the healthiest breakfast sandwiches at Panera that doesn’t compromise on flavor. It includes egg whites, which are topped with tomato, spinach, avocado, and aged white cheddar cheese. These are served on the delicious sprouted grain bagel flat.

1. Sausage, Scrambled Egg & Cheese on Asiago Bagel

This is my favorite Panera breakfast sandwich of all time. It combines a savory sausage patty, scrambled eggs, and a slice of American cheese with the freshly baked Asiago bagel. What takes it to the next level is the creamy garlic aioli sauce. It ties everything together beautifully, with a burst of flavor in each bite. I’d highly recommend giving it a try!

About the Author

Lana Kisner is a writer on the Shopfood.com team with more than 15 years of experience in the food service industry. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, listening to live music, and hiking with her dog.