Making paninis at home can be a quick and easy way to enjoy a hot and tasty sandwich without needing specialized equipment. While a panini press is the ideal appliance for getting those beautiful grill marks on the bread, you can actually make paninis using a simple toaster oven or even a standard pop-up toaster. The key things to look for are a toaster with enough interior space and the right settings to toast the bread while melting the fillings.
Toaster Ovens That Can Make Paninis
A toaster oven with a large interior and a wide temperature range is your best bet for DIY panini making. Look for the following features:
- Interior size of at least 9 inches wide – This gives enough room to fit a panini-style sandwich.
- Temperatures up to at least 400°F – This high heat helps melt cheese and crisp up the bread.
- Broil setting – The broil function browns the top of the sandwich.
- Enough clearance to fit a sandwich with fillings – Around 5 inches of headroom is needed.
Some good toaster oven options for paninis include:
| Toaster Oven | Interior Size | Max Temp | Broil Setting? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart TOB-260N1 | 11 x 9 x 5 inches | 450°F | Yes |
| Breville BOV845BSS | 12 x 12 x 5 inches | 480°F | Yes |
| Black + Decker TO3265XSSD | 9 x 9 x 5 inches | 450°F | Yes |
Using a Pop-Up Toaster for Paninis
While not ideal, it is possible to make a homemade panini using a regular pop-up toaster. The key is choosing a toaster with wide slots that can accommodate a thicker sandwich.
Look for the following features in a toaster if you want to make paninis:
- Extra-wide slots at least 1.5 inches wide – Fits thicker sandwiches.
- Longer slots around 5.5 inches – Fits longer panini-style bread.
- High wattage – At least 1200W for quicker toasting.
- Settings for bagels/frozen foods – These settings toast one side more than the other.
Some wider slot toasters to consider include:
| Toaster | Slot Width | Slot Length |
|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart CPT-2400 | 1.5 inches | 5.75 inches |
| Oster TSSTTRWF4S | 1.5 inches | 5.75 inches |
| Kitchenaid KMT4116CU | 1.6 inches | 5.5 inches |
Tips for Making Paninis in a Toaster Oven or Toaster
Follow these tips for the best panini results when using a toaster oven or regular toaster:
- Use panini-style bread or ciabatta rolls cut lengthwise – The soft interior absorbs flavors.
- Brush the outside of the bread lightly with oil or melted butter – Helps get a crispy crust.
- Add cheese like mozzarella or provolone that will melt quickly and hold the sandwich together.
- Include thinly sliced ingredients like deli meat, tomatoes, roasted veggies, pesto or tapenade spreads.
- In a toaster oven, switch between bake and broil during cooking to melt fillings and brown the bread.
- In a slot toaster, use the bagel setting to only toast the outside of the sandwich.
- Weigh down the sandwich with a smaller pan placed on top to get more even toasting.
Conclusion
While a true panini press is ideal for getting those quintessential crispy grill lines, you can improvise and make homemade paninis with the right toaster oven or even a regular pop-up toaster. Look for ones with wide slots, enough interior clearance, and high heat settings. Place your panini-style sandwich filled with melted cheese and favorite ingredients in the toaster and you’ll enjoy delicious results. Just be prepared to babysit your DIY panini a bit more than when using a dedicated panini maker. But with the right techniques, you can still achieve hot and melty sandwich perfection.