Fluffy, Whole Wheat Panini Bread Recipe; Better than Store bought!

This Whole Wheat Panini Bread Recipe will help you make soft, fluffy, nutritious and delicious wheat panini bread at home.

There’s something magical about freshly baked bread wafting through your kitchen.

And when that bread is whole wheat panini bread, soft on the inside with a golden, tender crust—it’s not just delicious, it’s also nourishing.

For those of us who appreciate the nutritional power of whole grains, making panini bread with whole wheat flour is a perfect choice. It’s a wholesome alternative to white bread, without compromising on taste or texture.

Unlike regular white bread, whole wheat panino bread is mostly made from the entire grain of wheat, including the bran, germ, and endosperm, which means it retains fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals. It’s not just more filling and wholesome — it also brings a richer, nuttier flavor to your plate.

This Whole Wheat Panini Bread is perfect for sandwiches. Whether you love packing your panini with grilled veggies, meats, or cheese, this bread will elevate your sandwich game while keeping it healthy.

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What is a Panini Bread

Panini is actually just the Italian word that means ‘sandwiches.’

It’s usually flat or slightly thick bread, soft on the inside, and sturdy enough to hold all the good stuff like cheese, meats, and veggies.

When you press and grill it, the outside gets nice and crispy while the inside stays warm and melty.

You can use different types of bread for paninis — like Ciabatta, Focaccia, Classic Panini Bread etc. Here in this whole wheat panini bread recipe, we make bread specially for making great sandwiches and as this whole wheat panini bread is made mostly with whole wheat flour, it is not only delicious but nutritious too.

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Why you will love this Whole wheat panini bread recipe

• Wholesome Ingredients – Mostly made with whole wheat flour, it’s packed with fiber and nutrients, making it a healthier choice without sacrificing taste.
• Perfect Texture – Soft on the inside with a slightly crisp crust when grilled, it’s ideal for holding all your favorite panini fillings without getting soggy.
• Rich, Nutty Flavor – The natural nuttiness of whole wheat flour adds depth and richness, making every bite satisfying and flavorful.
• Versatile & Freezer-Friendly – Great for paninis, sandwiches, or even toast, and it freezes well, so you can always have some on hand.

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Ingredients for Whole Wheat Panini Bread

Here’s what you’ll need for making whole wheat panini bread. This recipe is actually adapted from our original white panini bread recipe.

1. Whole wheat flour: 200 g (approx. 1 and 1/2 cups, loosely packed)
2. Plain flour (all-purpose): 100 g (approx. ¾ cup, loosely packed)
3. Lukewarm water: 200 ml ( ¾ cup + 1 tbsp + 1 tsp)
4. Sugar: 12 g (1 tbsp)
5. Salt: 6 g (1 tsp)
6. Butter (soft, unsalted): 30 g (2 tbsp)
7. Instant yeast: 3 g (1 tsp)

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How to make Whole Wheat Panini Bread

1. Prepare the dough

Start by preparing your dough: In a large mixing bowl, pour in the lukewarm water.

Add the sugar, salt, and yeast. Stir gently to dissolve.

Next add in the soft butter. Then the whole wheat flour and plain flour.

Mix and combine them all together. Make sure there are no dry patches left behind.

At this point, your dough may look rough — that’s okay!

Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it sit for 15 minutes. This helps the flour absorb the moisture, making the dough easier to work with and improving gluten development.

To make whole wheat panini bread, if you are using whole wheat or whole meal -strong bread flour, then you can use 100% of it as is. Because it already has enough gluten in it; which can make light and airy bread.

However, if you are using whole wheat flour (that contain bran particles), the bread dough will not be able to rise well and the bread will turn dense and heavy. In that case, mixing in some plain flour or bread flour (about 30%) will greatly improve the texture.

The resulting bread will not only be healthy and nutritious but also delicious, with nutty and earthy flavors, and an amazing texture that is soft and light.

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2. Knead the Dough

After 15 minutes, we need to knead the dough.

You can knead by hand or use a stand mixer.

If kneading by hand, we may need to knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes. The dough will start off sticky but will gradually become smooth and elastic.

If you’re using a mixer, knead on medium speed for about 8–10 minutes.

Whole wheat dough often needs a bit more kneading compared to white flour dough to become elastic. Be patient — the reward is worth it!

The water absorption capacity of flours, especially whole wheat flour, varies slightly between brands.

So, keep in mind that, if your dough is still very sticky after kneading for about 5 minutes, you can add a tablespoon of flour.

Or, if the dough feels tough and dry after 5 minutes of kneading, you can add a teaspoon or two of water to achieve the right consistency.

After kneading, cover the dough again and let it rest for another 15 minutes.

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After 15 minutes, simply check if our dough is ready for making the best whole wheat panini bread.

Wet your hands slightly and stretch a small portion of the dough. If it forms a thin membrane without tearing, you’ve developed enough gluten. It might not be as stretchy as white flour dough, but it should be fairly elastic.

If the dough tears easily, knead for a few more minutes and rest again.

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3. Divide and Shape the Dough

Now let’s divide and shape the panini rolls:

Divide the dough equally. I have divided the dough to 6 equal parts.

Then take each piece and tuck in the edges to the center, and then roll with cupped hands to form smooth round balls.

Once all balls are formed, take the first one that we shaped and roll it out to form a small rectangular sheet of approximately 1/4th of an inch thick. This gives it the classic panini look.

Place the shaped dough pieces on a parchment-lined baking tray, leaving space between each roll.

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4. Final Rising

Cover the tray loosely with plastic wrap. Let the rolls rise really well.

It may take around 75 minutes in a warm environment and about 90 minutes in a cooler room.

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5. Bake the Panini Bread

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Bake the proofed panini rolls for about 20 minutes, or until the tops turn a lovely golden brown.

You’ll notice a fantastic aroma filling your kitchen which is nutty , wheaty, buttery — that’s the smell of freshly baked, wholesome bread!

As soon as they’re out of the oven, I transferred the rolls to a cooling rack. This prevents the bottoms from getting soggy due to trapped steam.

Let the panini rolls cool down, before slicing. This helps the crumb set properly and gives you clean, neat cuts.

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Whole wheat panini bread recipe: Step by step VIDEO

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10 Flavor Packed, Panini Sandwich Filling Ideas

If you’re looking to level up your sandwich game, whole wheat paninis are a healthy and tasty way to go! Their hearty, nutty flavor pairs perfectly with all kinds of fillings—from cheesy classics to veggie-packed combos.

Here are 10 filling ideas to inspire your next bite:

1. Grilled Chicken & Pesto: Tender grilled chicken, fresh basil pesto, mozzarella, and sliced tomatoes—simple, flavorful, and satisfying.
2. Turkey, Bacon & Cheddar – Sliced turkey breast, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a bit of honey mustard.
3. Classic Caprese – Fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
4. Pulled Pork & Pickles – Smoky pulled pork, pickles, and melty cheddar or Monterey Jack.
5. Veggie Delight – Grilled zucchini, roasted red peppers, spinach, feta cheese, and hummus.
6. Tuna Melt – Tuna salad, sliced tomato, and melted cheddar or Swiss cheese.
7. BBQ Chicken – Shredded grilled chicken, barbecue sauce, red onions, and pepper jack cheese.
8. Egg & Avocado – Sliced hard-boiled eggs, avocado, tomato, and arugula with a sprinkle of black pepper.
9. Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese – Light cream cheese, smoked salmon, cucumbers, and dill on whole wheat bread.
10. Peanut Butter & Banana (Sweet Twist) – Natural peanut butter, banana slices, and a sprinkle of chia seeds on whole grain bread for a healthy sweet option.

You can also freeze these whole wheat panini rolls! Wrap tightly in plastic and store in a freezer bag. When needed, thaw at room temperature or warm up in the oven.

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This Whole Wheat Panini Bread recipe is the perfect combination of nutrition and taste. By blending whole wheat flour with a bit of plain flour, and using proper kneading and proofing techniques, you can achieve soft, fluffy rolls that are ideal for any kind of sandwich.

Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week, packing school lunches, or planning a family picnic, these panini rolls are a wholesome and delicious choice. Plus, they freeze well — so you can bake a batch and enjoy them anytime.

So roll up your sleeves, grab your ingredients, and treat yourself to the satisfying joy of homemade whole wheat bread. Your body (and your taste buds) will thank you.

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