Ham and Cheese Panini

Name: Ham and Cheese Panini
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3-4 ounces deli ham (thinly sliced); 2 ounces Swiss cheese slice (2 slices); 2-4 thin slices Granny Smith apple; 1 tablespoon honey mustard; 1 tablespoon mayonnaise; 2 slices hearty wheat bread; 1 tablespoon salted butter (room temperature)

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A Ham and Cheese Panini is a timeless classic that never disappoints. With crispy bread, gooey cheese, and layers of flavor, it's the ultimate easy lunch or dinner option.

If you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor, this Ham and Cheese Panini is the way to go. With layers of savory ham, tangy melty cheese, and a touch of honey mustard, all pressed between golden slices of bread, this panini delivers a satisfying crunch and melt-in-your-mouth goodness in every bite. It’s a classic comfort food with a gourmet twist.

This sandwich was our top seller when we had our restaurant (see below). There's a reason why, it's truly delicious. Paired with a cup of soup or salad, it was the go-to mid-day meal lunch order.

But guess what, you can make our famous restaurant-quality panini right in your own kitchen! We are giving you all the tips and tricks on how to cook it up. And guess what? It's a pretty simple recipe to make too.

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Try this one and our next best sellers, the Pimento Grilled Cheese made with our Homemade Pimento Cheese and Southern Chicken Salad croissant. Finnish it off with our beverage best seller, the Frozen Hot Chocolate!

The building where the Apple ham and Swiss sandwich was made.

Table of Contents

Why You'll Like This Recipe

Quick and Easy: With minimal prep time and a short cooking time, this ham and cheese panini sandwich is perfect for busy days when you need a delicious meal fast. If you love these flavors, you must try these Ham and Cheese Empanadas!
Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of the honey mustard, the tang of the apple, and the creaminess of the Swiss cheese make every bite a flavor explosion.
Comfort Food at Its Best: There’s nothing more comforting than a warm, toasty sandwich with gooey melted cheese and savory ham.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the cheese and ham panini ingredients to suit your taste, making this panini as simple or as loaded as you like.

Ingredients

Scroll Down to the Recipe Card for the Full Recipe and Ingredient Amounts

Deli Ham: The star protein of the sandwich, deli ham adds a savory, slightly salty flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese adds creaminess, a mild nutty flavor, and richness to the panini.
Granny Smith Apple: Thinly sliced Granny Smith apple brings a tart, crisp contrast to the rich flavors of the ham and cheese.
Honey Mustard: Mixed with mayo, this sweet and tangy condiment enhances the flavor of the ham and complements the tartness of the apple.
Mayonnaise: Mixed with honey mustard, it adds moisture and richness to the panini, helping to meld all the flavors together.
Hearty Wheat Bread: A good quality, hearty wheat bread provides a sturdy base for the sandwich, holding up well to the fillings while adding a nutty flavor.
Salted Butter: Brushing the bread with salted butter before grilling ensures a golden, crispy crust.

The ingredients to make a ham and cheese panini.

Tools You'll Need

Panini Press, Skillet, or Grill Pan
Turner

How to Make a Ham and Cheese Panini

Stir together honey mustard and mayo in a small bowl.

Mixing a spread for a panini sandwich with mayo and honey mustard.

2. On a panini press or grill pan, build your sandwich: buttered bread slice down, Swiss cheese slice, ham, apple slices, Swiss slice, and another bread slice with honey mustard/mayo spread on the side going onto the sandwich and butter spread on the outside.

3. Press and grill until the meat is heated through, cheese is melted, and bread toasted. Alternatively, cook in a large skillet over medium heat, flipping every 2-3 minutes, until cooked through and toasted well.

A ham and cheese panini on a cutting board.

Pro Tips and Substitutions

Bread Options: Instead of sandwich bread, consider using croissants, ciabatta, focaccia, or pretzel buns for a unique twist. Gluten-free or whole grain options are excellent for those with dietary restrictions.
Protein Options: If you prefer a different protein, consider using roasted chicken, sliced turkey, or even a vegetarian option like marinated tofu or grilled portobello mushrooms.
Switch up Spreads: Experiment with different sauces and spreads. In addition to/instead of traditional mayo and honey mustard, you can also try pesto, a flavored aioli, or honey dijon. Spread condiments evenly on both slices of bread to ensure every bite is flavorful.
Yummy Additions: Consider using arugula, spinach, or thinly sliced pears for a refreshing crunch. Crispy bacon, avocado slices, caramelized onions can elevate the flavors and textures.
Cheese Varieties: Besides Swiss cheese, experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, brie, or gouda cheese.

What to Serve with a Ham and Cheese Panini

This panini pairs well with a side of soup, a fresh salad, or even a handful of chips for a complete meal. A few of our favorite pairings are:

A bowl of soup alongside a rotisserie chicken and cheese roll

Make Apple Ham and Swiss Sliders

Transform this sandwich into sliders for a great holiday get-together or game day addition! Simply swap bread slices for a 12-pack of Kings Hawaiian Sweet Rolls. Slice them in half and place the bottoms in a 13"x9" baking dish.

Evenly disperse 1 pound ham, 4-6 slices Swiss cheese, 1 thinly sliced Granny Smith apple, and ¼-1/3 cup each honey mustard and mayonnaise. Add the top buns and brush with ¼ cup melted butter. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until the buns are toasted and cheese melted.

Storage and Freezing

The more moisture a sandwich has, the more likely the bread is to become soggy over time. In this situation, mayo and honey mustard spread contributes quite a bit of moisture.

This sandwich is at its peak quality when it is freshly made. If you have leftover sandwich, once it's completely cooled, it can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 2 days.

While you can technically freeze a panini press sandwich, it's not recommended. Freezing and thawing can significantly impact the texture of the bread, making it mushy when reheated. If you must freeze the sandwich, wrap it tightly in several layers of plastic wrap to minimize freezer burn and consume it as soon as possible after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I heat a ham and cheese sandwich

This ham and cheese panini can be eaten cold. However, when heated, it fuses all of the ingredients and their flavors together. The cheese melts and melds with the other ingredients and the toasted exterior adds a crispy satisfying crunch!

Is there a specific order to layering a ham and cheese panini?

Yes! It's best to ensure your outside of the bread butter and inside spreads are spread evenly across the slices. On each slice of cheese needs to lay 1 slice of cheese. Between the cheese will be the ham and sliced green apple.

Can I melt cheese on an ham and cheese panini?

As the sandwich is pressed in the panini press or grilled in a skillet or grill pan, the cheese will slowly melt and marry all of the ingredients. It's important not to have the heat turned up too high to ensure the bread doesn't burn while the cheese needs time to melt.

What if I don't have a panini press?

If you don't have a panini press, you can achieve a similar effect by grilling the sandwich on a stovetop grill pan or a regular non-stick skillet. Apply gentle pressure with a spatula to mimic the pressing effect.

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