Ooey-Gooey Chocolate-Hazelnut Panini Recipe for Sweet Cravings

Crafting a mouthwatering chocolate-hazelnut panini sparks pure culinary joy for sandwich enthusiasts.

Warm, crispy bread hugs a decadent filling that melts into pure bliss.

Nutella’s rich swirls complement toasted hazelnuts beautifully in this simple yet luxurious treat.

Sweet meets savory in a quick kitchen adventure that feels like a gourmet escape.

Mediterranean cafes inspired this delightful combination of creamy chocolate and crunchy nuts.

Summer afternoons or cozy winter moments become instantly special with this indulgent creation.

Jump into this recipe and let deliciousness unfold right on your plate.

FAQs

• What makes this panini different from a regular sandwich?

This panini transforms a simple sandwich into a decadent dessert by using chocolate-hazelnut spread, fresh bananas, and a grilled technique that creates a crispy, golden exterior with a warm, gooey interior.

• Can I use different types of bread for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various bread types like brioche, challah, or sourdough. Just ensure the bread is sturdy enough to hold the filling and can be grilled without falling apart.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids love the sweet combination of chocolate and banana, and the grilled texture makes it fun and exciting. It’s an easy recipe they can help prepare with adult supervision.

• How can I make this panini a bit healthier?

Try using whole grain bread, reduce the amount of chocolate-hazelnut spread, add more sliced bananas, or use a light butter alternative when grilling to decrease calories.

Chocolate Hazelnut Panini: Why You’ll Crave a Second

• Elevate ordinary bread into a gourmet dessert sandwich with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor combinations.
• Easily swap ingredients like adding strawberries or using different spreads to match personal taste preferences and make it uniquely yours.
• Simple enough for children to help prepare, making it a fun family bonding activity that results in a delicious reward.

What Makes Chocolate Hazelnut Panini So Special

• Bread Slices: Soft and sturdy bread that will hold the rich filling and become crispy when grilled.

• Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread: Creamy, sweet spread that forms the primary flavor base of the panini.
• Banana: Fresh fruit that adds natural sweetness and creamy texture to the sandwich.

• Butter, Powdered Sugar: Butter helps create a golden, crispy exterior while powdered sugar provides a light, sweet finishing touch.

Making Chocolate Hazelnut Panini: The Essentials

Step 1: Prep Your Delicious Ingredients

Grab your bread slices, chocolate-hazelnut spread, bananas, and butter.

Have a skillet and spatula ready for cooking magic.

Step 2: Slather on the Chocolate Goodness

Generously spread the chocolate-hazelnut mixture across one side of each bread slice.

Make sure to cover the entire surface for maximum flavor explosion.

Step 3: Add Banana Bliss

• Ripe bananas

Slice bananas into thin, even layers and arrange them carefully over the chocolate spread.

The creamy bananas will complement the rich chocolate perfectly.

Step 4: Butter Up the Exterior

Softly spread butter on the outside of both bread slices.

This creates a golden, crispy exterior that will make your panini irresistibly crunchy.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection

Heat your skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place the assembled panini into the pan.

Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, watching for a beautiful golden-brown color and ensuring the chocolate melts slightly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the panini to a cutting board.

Slice diagonally to create two triangular halves.

Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or add a side of fresh berries for extra pizzazz.

Serve immediately while warm and gooey.

Pro Tips for Gooey Chocolate Hazelnut Panini

• Keep heat at medium and watch carefully to avoid scorching the bread while achieving a perfect golden-brown color.
• Use high-quality chocolate-hazelnut spread for richer, more intense taste and smoother texture.
• Slice bananas thinly and evenly to ensure consistent coverage and prevent bread from becoming soggy.
• Press down gently with a spatula while grilling to create a crispier, more compact panini with beautiful grill marks.
• Swap butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine for a vegan-friendly version that maintains crispy exterior.

The Best Way to Store Chocolate Hazelnut Panini

• Store leftover panini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, ensuring they're wrapped tightly to prevent moisture loss.
• Wrap individual panini in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month, maintaining best quality and taste.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place panini on a baking sheet, and warm for 5-7 minutes until crispy and heated through.
• Reheat for 30-45 seconds on medium power, checking halfway to prevent soggy texture and ensure even warming.

Pairings for Chocolate Hazelnut Panini Moments

• Pair with Creamy Cappuccino: A rich, smooth cappuccino complements the chocolate-hazelnut panini's decadent flavors, balancing the sweetness with its robust espresso notes.
• Match with Chilled Raspberry Smoothie: A tangy, refreshing raspberry smoothie cuts through the panini's richness, providing a fruity contrast that brightens the entire dessert experience.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream adds a cool, velvety texture that enhances the warm, golden panini and intensifies its chocolate-hazelnut goodness.
• Complement with Roasted Hazelnut Latte: A specialty hazelnut latte echoes the panini's nutty undertones, creating a harmonious flavor profile that elevates the entire dessert.

Chocolate Hazelnut Panini: Variations Worth Trying

• Vegan Delight: Replace chocolate-hazelnut spread with almond butter and use dairy-free bread. Swap bananas with sliced strawberries for a plant-based alternative.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free bread and ensure chocolate-hazelnut spread is certified gluten-free. Add chopped nuts for extra crunch and texture.
• Low-Sugar Version: Select whole wheat bread with reduced sugar content. Use sugar-free chocolate-hazelnut spread and replace bananas with thinly sliced apples for natural sweetness.
• Protein-Packed Panini: Incorporate a thin layer of Greek yogurt under the chocolate spread. Sprinkle chia seeds or chopped almonds for added protein and nutritional boost.

Chocolate-Hazelnut Panini Recipe

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4.5 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 18 minutes
• Yield: 1 1x

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Description

Indulgent chocolate-hazelnut panini brings Italian street food magic right to your kitchen. Crisp bread embraces warm, melting chocolate and nutty spread, creating a simple yet luxurious treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 slices sourdough or ciabatta bread
• 1 medium banana, sliced

Spread:

• 4 tablespoons (4 tbsp) chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)

Cooking Fat:

• 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) unsalted butter (for grilling)

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Instructions

1. Prep the bread surfaces by coating one side of each slice thoroughly with chocolate-hazelnut spread, ensuring complete and even coverage.
2. Arrange banana slices uniformly across the spread, creating a smooth and consistent layer that extends to the edges of the bread.
3. Apply a thin, uniform layer of butter to the exterior sides of both bread slices, which will help achieve a crispy, golden-brown finish during grilling.
4. Preheat a skillet to medium heat, creating an optimal temperature zone for perfectly toasting the panini.
5. Carefully place the assembled sandwich into the heated skillet, allowing it to grill for approximately 3-4 minutes until the bottom surface turns a rich, golden-brown color.
6. Gently flip the panini and continue grilling the opposite side for an additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring both surfaces are evenly toasted and crisp.
7. Remove from heat and transfer to a cutting board, slicing the panini diagonally to create two triangular halves.
8. Serve immediately while warm, with an optional light dusting of powdered sugar or accompanied by fresh seasonal fruit for added visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Choose bread with sturdy texture like brioche or sourdough to prevent sogginess and maintain crisp exterior.
• Soften chocolate-hazelnut spread slightly at room temperature for smoother, easier spreading across bread surface.
• Use ripe but firm bananas to prevent mushy texture and ensure clean slicing during sandwich preparation.
• Experiment with alternative nut spreads like almond or cashew butter for different flavor profiles and dietary variations.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg