This Turkey Bacon Panini has avocado, cheese, tomato paired with tasty slices of bread for a delicious hot sandwich. It’s easy to make, and I’m showing you how to make it with a panini maker or in a skillet. It’s the perfect lunch or dinner recipe!
What is a Panini?
Panini’s are an Italian creation because ‘Panini’ in Italian means ‘Sandwich’. They are differentiated from other sandwiches because they typically use and Italian bread like ciabatta or focaccia. I used ciabatta rolls because they’re best for toasting.
This panini combines sliced turkey with crispy bacon and avocado. Some melted mozzarella holds it all together, and sliced tomato adds a fresh bite. Typically, they are made with a panini maker that presses the sandwich on both sides, but you do not need that for this recipe. You can use a skillet and cook the sandwich on the stove! Make this easy recipe for when you need something delicious quickly!
Ingredients NEEDED
- Ciabatta Rolls: You can really use any bread for this recipe, but a roll-style bread is the most authentic for a panini. Sourdough is great too.
- Mozzarella Cheese: I like mozzarella because is melts great and tastes delicious, but not overpowering.
- Turkey: We use deli turkey! My family prefers a very thinly sliced deli turkey, but you could get any kind of thickness you want.
- Bacon: Use your favorite kind of bacon and make sure it’s crispy.
- Avocado: I mashed the avocado before putting it on the sandwich, but you could slice it if you prefer that.
Variations
- Use other cheese, like Swiss cheese or cheddar cheese. Pepper Jack would be great too! Sliced provolone or Havarti cheese also melt well.
- I also love making paninis with slices of sourdough bread or other thick French bread.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
We'll email a link to this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
How to make Turkey Avocado Panini
- Cut Ciabatta rolls in half. On the bottom slice put mashed avocado, tomato slices, 2-3 slices of roasted turkey and 3 half slices of bacon. Add 1/4 of the cheese on top.
- Put the top half of the roll on top and spray with cooking oil. You can also use butter if you want but cooking spray works just as good.
- To use a panini maker, heat the grill to medium-high heat and close the machine. Allow to cook until cheese is melted and bread is toasted.
- To use a large skillet (we love a good nonstick pan), place the sandwich in the pan and top with a plate or spatula and press it down, flipping halfway through cooking.
Expert Tips
- The reason I like mashed avocado instead of sliced is that it sort of acts like a glue for the bread. Also, sliced avocado tends to slide out of the sandwich’s sides when you press it – with mashed, you don’t have to worry about that happening.
- You can alter this sandwich however you like – omit the tomato or add onion – make it your own!
Storage
These are best made and eaten right away – the avocado will brown and get unappetizing looking. You could prep the bacon ahead, but just assemble and cook the sandwiches when it’s time to eat.
Turkey, Avocado and Bacon Panini Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Ciabatta rolls
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ pound sliced turkey
- 1 medium tomato sliced
- 6 slices bacon cooked and halved
- 1 avocado mashed
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Cut Ciabatta rolls in half. On the bottom slice put mashed avocado, tomato, 2-3 slices of turkey and 3 half slices of bacon. Add 1/4 of the cheese on top.
- Put the top half of the roll on top and spray with cooking oil.
- If you have a panini maker, on medium heat, place two sandwiches on the surface and shut the lid. Cook for 3-5 minutes so that the sandwich is heated, and cheese is melted. Repeat for the other two sandwiches. If you are using a frying pan, on medium heat place two sandwiches and press them with a spatula occasionally. Cook until roll browns and cheese melts. Repeat for the other two sandwiches. Serve while hot.
Recipe Nutrition
