When most people think of Panera, they think of bread-bowl soups, sandwiches, and coffee. The franchise is one of the most popular lunch-oriented bistros in the country and they’re also one of the few cafes that accepted dine-in customers throughout the pandemic. In early 2020, Panera started offering flatbread pizza at all of its locations.
So, how is it?
Panera’s new flatbread pizzas are actually quite delicious. Each one is made with fresh ingredients, and the crust itself is comparable to visiting an actual pizzeria. Even though Panera isn’t a traditional pizzeria, their history of baking bread means that they have all of the tools they need to make a great pizza!
A friend of mine recently introduced me to Panera’s flatbread pizzas, and I have to say that I was quite impressed! Since then, I’ve gone out of my way to try all five of the pizzas offered on their menu. In today’s post, I’ll give you my personal review of these pizzas and compare them to some of the other pizzas I’ve had from competing restaurants.
Let’s take a look!
Is Panera Flatbread Pizza Good – Panera Flatbread Pizza Review: Facts + My Opinion
When I was in college, I probably spent close to a thousand hours at the Panera Bread by the campus, which definitely was the best flatbread pizza near me. They gave me a student discount, didn’t mind if I sat in their dining area for 8 hours studying and writing research papers, and there was always a neverending stream of coffee and small bites to eat. They never had pizza, though, so I was definitely surprised when they started offering it!
Is Flatbread Pizza Panera Worth Your Attention?
This Panera pizza review is for those of you who are unfamiliar with Panera’s Flatbread pizza. I understand if the thought of flatbread pizzas sounds strange at first. But, if you’re a real pizza lover, then definitely try the flatbread pizza delivery Panter has and try something new.
How Does Panera’s Flatbread Pizza Compare To Other Pizza Chains?
Usually, when I’m looking for a quick, cheap pizza, I go with Domino’s. Admittedly, though, I’ve been opting for Panera’s flatbread pizzas more and more. For one, I love how small they are. If you’re hungry, one pizza is perfect; if you just have a light appetite, then you can easily split a pizza between two people.
Panera pizza menu offers pizzas that have a crunchy yet soft flatbread crust, the cheese they use is really good quality, and the toppings are surprisingly fresh. Overall, I’d say that Panera’s flatbread pizzas can compete with somewhere like Pizza Hut or Little Caesar’s any day of the week!
Is Panera Flat Bread Pizza Healthy?
Panera Bread claims to be dedicated to serving only freshly prepared meals using only the finest, ethically sourced products. While these numbers are certainly useful, they don’t reveal much about the actual healthfulness of a meal or how many healthy foods (as opposed to processed ones) really make it onto a person’s plate. Panera has made a name for itself in recent years as a go-to spot for delicious, yet nutritious, meals. How would you rate their pizza made using flatbread?
The flatbread pizza at Panera is a lighter and healthier alternative to the typical pizza served in fast food restaurants and casual dining establishments. This is because fresh vegetables are used to top the pizza and the crust is produced with whole wheat flour. However, the pizza is not totally fat-free or vegan because it contains cheese and various forms of meat.
Calorie-wise, Panera’s flatbread pizza is about average. There are 320 calories in a small cheese pizza, but there are 350 in a small pepperoni pizza. In contrast, the cheese pizza from Domino’s has 310 calories per serving and the pepperoni pizzas have 420 calories per one serving for the same size. Therefore, the flatbread pizza at Panera isn’t quite the healthiest choice, but it’s also not the worst.
How Big Are Panera’s Flatbread Pizzas?
Of course, after you’re aware of its delicious taste, you want to know the Panera flatbread pizza size. Panera pizzas are square-shaped and they’re the perfect size for a personal pizza. They’re about 11-inches long by 4-inches wide, and they’re usually cut into 6 small squares, which makes it easy for portioning.
What Flavors Does Panera Offer?
Panera currently offers flatbread pizzas in five different flavors:
- Cheese.
- Four-Cheese.
- Pepperoni.
- Chipotle chicken and bacon.
- Margherita.
Below, you’ll find a brief overview of each flavor.
Cheese Flatbread Pizza
Simple, high-quality mozzarella cheese layered on top of a base tomato sauce. Great for the kiddos or picky eaters.
Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza
They basically take the regular mozzarella cheese pizza base and add freshly-sliced pepperoni slices on top. Each of the six slices typically has two or three pieces of pepperoni on top, so you‘ll get enough to satisfy yourself.
Chipotle Chicken and Bacon Flatbread Pizza
This one is my favorite! They start with a chipotle and tomato sauce, layer mozzarella on top, and then top it with chunks of chicken and bacon. You can smell it coming as soon as it comes out of the oven.
Margherita Flatbread Pizza
If you prefer simplicity, then the Margherita pizza is delicious and fresh. It uses a fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella, and is then topped with Roma tomatoes and fresh basil.
Four-Cheese Flatbread Pizza
This is the same as the cheese pizza, but they use a four-cheese blend instead of pure mozzarella.
How Much Does Panera’s Flatbread Pizza Cost?
The cheese flatbread pizza costs just $8.30, making it the most affordable option. The other, more involved flatbread recipes cost anywhere between $9.30 and $9.79 due to the extra toppings.
A lot of people are looking for Cici’s pizza prices, but they can be hard to find. I’ve gathered all the information you need to know about Cici’s pizza prices here in this article.
Is It Cooked In A Wood-Fire Oven?
Traditionally, Italian-style Flatbread pizzas are cooked in a wood-fired oven like this one. However, that would require Panera to purchase a huge, expensive oven for all of its locations. Instead, they utilize the large bread-baking ovens that they already have in-store. They’re similar to the type of oven used in most pizza kitchens like Pizza Hut or Papa John’s.
Does Panera Deliver Its Pizza?
Most major pizza chains like Pizza Pizza offer in-house delivery services. However, Panera does not. Of course, you can still get your flatbread pizza delivered, you’ll just need to order through a third-party delivery service like Door Dash or Uber Eats!
Is Panera Pizza Good – Taste the Best Panera Flatbreads Pizzas
I was never a huge fan of Panera’s food until they came out with these new flatbread pizzas. Now, I’m always willing to stop by and pick up a personal pizza after I get off work. They’re delicious, relatively affordable, and are made in-house with fresh ingredients. After all, that’s why I decided to write this Panera bread pizza review and make it easier for you find your perfect pizza.