Updated: July 2025

Craving the perfect panini but can’t decide between using a griddle or a dedicated panini press? After extensive testing and countless sandwiches, we’ve determined the clear winner – and the results might surprise you!

Who doesn’t love a perfectly grilled panini? With crispy, golden bread and melted cheese oozing from the sides, it’s comfort food at its finest. But in today’s gadget-filled kitchen world, the question remains: do you need a specialized panini press, or can your trusty griddle deliver the same delicious results?

As someone who believes in having the right tool for every job, I understand the appeal of a dedicated panini press. But I also believe in practicality and maximizing the value of your kitchen equipment – especially in 2025 when counter space is at a premium.

Before investing in any new cooking gadget, I ask myself one crucial question: Is this essential, or just convenient? Today, I’m sharing my findings from testing both methods extensively to help you make an informed decision about whether you need a panini press when you already have a griddle.

The results might just change how you approach your next panini-making session – and save you money in the process.

The Case for a Panini Press

If you’re considering a panini press, you’re clearly serious about your sandwich game. These specialized appliances are purpose-built for creating restaurant-quality paninis at home, and they excel at their intended function.

Key Advantages of Panini Presses:

Perfect Grill Marks: The ridged cooking surface creates those coveted charred lines that give paninis their signature appearance and add subtle smoky flavor that’s impossible to replicate on a flat surface.

Even Pressure Distribution: The weighted top plate ensures consistent compression across the entire sandwich, creating uniform browning and optimal melting of cheese and other fillings without hot spots.

Precise Temperature Control: Most quality panini presses offer adjustable temperature settings with built-in thermostats, preventing burnt bread while ensuring thorough heating of fillings.

Set-and-Forget Convenience: Many models include timers and automatic shut-off features, allowing you to multitask while your panini cooks to perfection.

Versatility Beyond Paninis: Modern panini presses can handle grilled vegetables, chicken breasts, quesadillas, hash browns, and even desserts like grilled fruit or s’mores.

However, panini presses have limited cooking space – typically accommodating only 2-4 sandwiches at once, making them less practical for feeding larger groups or meal prep.

While the versatility sounds appealing, here’s the reality check: Will you actually use your panini press for anything besides paninis? Most people find themselves reaching for larger cooking surfaces when preparing vegetables or meat for multiple people, leaving their panini press to collect dust between sandwich cravings.

This brings us to the fundamental question: Can you achieve similar results with equipment you likely already own?

Can a Griddle Make Great Paninis?

Absolutely! You can create delicious paninis on a griddle, and in many ways, the results are quite impressive. The bread develops a beautiful golden crust, the interior stays soft and warm, and fillings melt perfectly when done correctly. The key is understanding the technique.

Griddle Advantages for Paninis:

Massive Cooking Surface: Griddles offer significantly more cooking space, allowing you to prepare 6-8 paninis simultaneously or cook sides like hash browns and bacon alongside your sandwiches.

Superior Temperature Control: You can create different heat zones on your griddle, perfect for managing multiple sandwiches with varying cooking times or keeping finished paninis warm while others cook.

Multi-functional Powerhouse: Your griddle serves countless purposes beyond paninis – from breakfast foods to dinner preparations, making it a true kitchen workhorse.

Cost Efficiency: If you already own a griddle, you’re saving $50-200 by not purchasing a dedicated panini press.

The Trade-offs:

No Grill Marks: The flat surface won’t produce those distinctive charred lines that many associate with authentic paninis – though this is purely aesthetic.

Manual Pressure Required: You’ll need to press down on sandwiches manually or use a heavy pan as a weight, requiring more active involvement.

Requires More Attention: Without preset timers, you’ll need to monitor your paninis more closely to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.

Learning Curve: Achieving consistent results takes practice, especially managing heat levels and timing.

I’ll be honest – I’ve cooked paninis on griddles many times with mixed results initially. The key is understanding that griddles can reach much higher temperatures than panini presses (up to 500°F+), making it easy to char the bread before the filling properly heats.

Success depends on mastering your griddle’s heat zones and timing. Once you nail these fundamentals, you can consistently produce satisfying paninis that rival those from dedicated presses.

Pro Tips for Perfect Griddle Paninis:

1. Master Your Temperature: Use medium-low heat (300-325°F) for even cooking. Test with a few drops of water – they should sizzle gently, not violently.

2. Prep Like a Pro: Butter or oil the outside of your bread generously for that golden, crispy crust. Room temperature ingredients melt and heat more evenly.

3. Create Even Pressure: Use a heavy cast iron skillet or griddle press to weigh down your sandwiches. This ensures even browning and proper cheese melting.

4. Timing Is Everything: Allow 3-4 minutes per side for optimal results. Don’t rush – low and slow wins the race.

5. Build Smart: Keep fillings thin and pre-cook raw ingredients. Thick sandwiches burn on the outside before heating through.

6. Use the Right Bread: Sturdy breads like ciabatta, focaccia, or sourdough hold up better than soft sandwich bread.

The Right Tool for the Right Job

I know what some of you are thinking: “Sure, I could fry an egg on hot pavement too, but that doesn’t mean I should.” It’s a fair point – sometimes having the right tool makes all the difference between good and exceptional results.

A panini press will undoubtedly create more consistent, professional-looking results than a griddle with less effort and oversight. Just like using a griddle for steaks produces better results than a panini press, each tool has its strengths and ideal applications.

If you’re passionate about paninis and make them regularly, a dedicated press is worth the investment. The convenience, consistency, and authentic presentation justify the counter space and cost, especially for busy households.

If you’re an occasional panini maker who values versatility, your griddle will serve you well with proper technique and patience. The learning curve is manageable, and the results are genuinely satisfying.

My Final Verdict (2025 Edition)

After testing both methods extensively with over 50 paninis in 2025, here’s my honest assessment:

The Winner: Panini Press (by a narrow margin)

While griddles can certainly make delicious paninis, panini presses edge out the competition for their consistency, convenience, and authentic results. However, if you already own a quality griddle and make paninis infrequently, the investment isn’t essential for most home cooks.

Choose a panini press if you:

– Make paninis 2+ times per week

– Value consistent, professional-looking results with minimal effort

– Want the convenience of set-and-forget cooking

– Care about authentic grill marks and presentation

– Have limited cooking experience or prefer foolproof appliances

Stick with your griddle if you:

– Make paninis occasionally (less than weekly)

– Need to feed larger groups regularly

– Prefer multi-functional kitchen equipment

– Are comfortable with hands-on cooking techniques

– Want to save money and counter space

The truth is, both tools can create delicious paninis that will satisfy your cravings. The “best” choice depends on your priorities, cooking frequency, kitchen space, and budget. There’s no wrong answer – only the right choice for your specific needs and preferences.

In 2025’s economy-conscious kitchen landscape, maximizing the utility of equipment you already own makes more sense than ever. But if paninis are a regular part of your meal rotation, the specialized tool will serve you well for years to come.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, all this panini talk has made me hungry enough to fire up my press for a perfectly grilled lunch!