I just made this copycat Starbucks ham and Swiss panini, and it’s every bit as delicious as the one from the café! I felt like a regular barista!
The combination of smoky ham, gooey melted Swiss, tangy mustard, and perfectly crispy panini bread is an absolute flavor bomb.
Making this panini at home is super easy and totally worth it.
Who needs the drive-thru when you can whip this baby up in your own kitchen?
Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Ham and Swiss Panini
Quick and Easy: This recipe can be prepared in just a few minutes, making it perfect for busy mornings or a quick lunch option.
Cost-Effective: Making this panini at home is much cheaper than buying it at Starbucks. You can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without breaking the bank.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences. Add more cheese, use a different type of mustard, or swap out the ham for another protein.
Gourmet Taste: The combination of melted Swiss cheese, savory ham, and tangy mustard-butter spread creates a delicious sandwich. It rivals any café offering.
Ingredients
- Ham: Savory slices of tender, high-quality ham are the protein-packed star of this classic sandwich.
- Swiss Cheese: Nutty, slightly sweet, and perfectly melty, Swiss cheese adds a sophisticated flavor dimension.
- Butter and Yellow Mustard: The softened butter and tangy mustard blend creates a luscious spread. It enhances the flavors of the ham and cheese.
- Panini Bread or Ciabatta Roll: It’s sturdy enough to hold up to the panini press. This bread provides the ideal vessel for melding all the flavors and textures together.
How to Make a Starbucks Ham and Swiss Panini
Just wait until you get a load of how easy this sandwich is to make at home!
1. Heat the panini press. Turn on your panini press or heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Slice the bread lengthwise. Slice the panini bread or ciabatta roll in half lengthwise.
3. Mix the butter spread. In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter and yellow mustard until well combined. Spread this mixture evenly on the inside of both halves of the bread.
4. Layer the ham and cheese. Layer the ham slices on the bottom half of the bread. Place the Swiss cheese slices on top of the ham, making sure all the ingredients are tucked inside the bread and not hanging over the edges.
5. Assemble the sandwich. Place the top half of the bread on the sandwich, buttered side down.
6. Cook the panini. Put the assembled panini on the preheated panini press and close it. If using a skillet, place the sandwich in the pan and press down on it with a spatula. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
7. Slice and serve. Carefully remove the hot panini and place it on a cutting board. Slice the sandwich in half diagonally and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Starbucks Ham and Swiss Panini
Here are some Starbucks-worthy tips to get you started!
- Quality is key. Use high-quality deli ham sliced thin for the best texture and flavor. Black Forest ham pairs particularly well with Swiss cheese.
- Pick the right bread. A hearty, dense bread like focaccia, ciabatta, or a crusty French baguette holds up best to grilling. Avoid soft, airy breads that will flatten.
- Choose your favorite cheese. Swiss cheese is the classic pairing. But aged cheddar, provolone, or Gruyère also melt well and complement the ham nicely.
- Tuck it all in. Ensure the ham and cheese are fully inside the bread so they don’t spill out during grilling.
- Be firm! Use medium pressure on the panini press or a heavy skillet on top to compress the sandwich as it toasts.
- No panini press? No problem! A panini press gives nice grill marks, but a hot skillet works just as well to achieve a crispy, golden exterior.
- Make it a meal. Pair your ham and Swiss panini with a simple green salad, a cup of tomato soup, coleslaw, potato chips, or fries.
More Panini Recipes You Have to Try
Chicken Panini with Bacon and Cheese
Breakfast Panini
Pizza Panini
Buffalo Chicken Panini
Starbucks Ham and Swiss Panini
1
servings5
minutes4
minutes683
kcalSkip your coffee run and make this Starbucks ham and Swiss panini at home! It’s quick, easy, and tastes just like the real deal.
Ingredients
4 slices ham
2 slices Swiss cheese
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 panini bread or ciabatta roll
Instructions
- Turn on your panini press or heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Slice the panini bread or ciabatta roll in half lengthwise.
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter and yellow mustard until well combined. Spread this mixture evenly on the inside of both halves of the bread.
- Layer the ham slices on the bottom half of the bread. Place the Swiss cheese slices on top of the ham, making sure all the ingredients are tucked inside the bread and not hanging over the edges.
- Place the top half of the bread on the sandwich, buttered side down.
- Put the assembled panini on the preheated panini press and close it. If using a skillet, place the sandwich in the pan and press down on it with a spatula. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
- Carefully remove the hot panini and place it on a cutting board. Slice the sandwich in half diagonally and serve immediately.
Notes
- Be careful not to overload the sandwich with too much filling, as it can spill out and make a mess.
- Customize your panini with extra ham, cheese, or your favorite mustard. Experiment with different breads, like focaccia.
- Pair your ham and Swiss panini with a simple green salad, a cup of tomato soup, coleslaw, potato chips, or fries.
