Ham and Apple Panini – SHK

This Ham and Apple Panini is the proper fall sandwich that mixes youngsters’ favourite flavors with grown-up sophistication – crispy, melty, and surprisingly straightforward to make!

a ham, apple and cheese panini on a blue plate with scattered leaves and apple wedges.

Why We Love This Ham and Apple Panini

We’ve all been there – staring into the fridge at 5 PM questioning how you can flip random substances into one thing the entire household will really eat. Final week, I had leftover ham from Sunday dinner, and a bag of apples within the fridge. That’s once I found that the key to getting my choosy eaters enthusiastic about sandwiches isn’t fancy substances – it’s the magic mixture of crispy bread, melty cheese, and that good sweet-savory steadiness.

My youngsters have all the time been suspicious of “grown-up” sandwiches, however there’s one thing about urgent a sandwich in a panini maker that transforms peculiar substances into one thing particular. The crispy exterior offers approach to heat, gooey cheese and tender ham, whereas the apple slices add simply sufficient sweetness to steadiness the smoky flavors. Even my most cussed eater, who often picks aside each sandwich I make, devoured this one with out a single grievance.

The very best half? This recipe works whether or not you’re making a fast weekday lunch or wish to elevate your weekend sandwich recreation. I really like that I can use no matter apples we’ve got available, and the youngsters really feel like they’re getting restaurant meals proper at dwelling!

Ingredients needed to make ham and cheese paninis with apples on a marble countertop

Make Good Ham & Apple Panini

Getting the method proper means the distinction between soggy sandwiches and crispy-outside, melty-inside perfection that makes everybody pleased.

Select the Proper Bread and Put together It Correctly

Sturdy bread like ciabatta rolls or thick country-style bread is crucial as a result of it holds as much as urgent with out falling aside or getting soggy from the apple juices. I all the time break up the rolls fully and ensure each side are evenly buttered on the surface – this creates that golden, crispy crust that makes panini so irresistible. The bread must be substantial sufficient to include all of the fillings however not so thick that it doesn’t cook dinner by means of within the quick urgent time.

Layer Elements Strategically for Greatest Outcomes

Begin with cheese straight on the bread to create a barrier that stops the apple juices from making the bread soggy, then layer the ham and apple slices evenly so each chew has the proper ratio of flavors. I’ve discovered that skinny apple slices work a lot better than thick ones as a result of they soften properly with out releasing an excessive amount of moisture or making the sandwich troublesome to chew by means of. The mustard ought to go on the within surfaces solely, by no means on the surface the place it might burn throughout urgent.

Grasp the Urgent Approach

Medium warmth is essential – too sizzling and the surface burns earlier than the cheese melts, too low and also you received’t get that satisfying crispiness that makes panini particular. Press firmly however don’t smash the sandwich fully flat; you need some peak left so there’s room for all these scrumptious layers. For those who’re utilizing a grill pan as a substitute of a panini press, place a heavy skillet on high of the sandwiches and press down gently whereas they cook dinner, flipping as soon as midway by means of.

ham and cheese paninis with arugula on a wooden cutting board

Child Helper Jobs for Ham & Apple Panini

Getting youngsters concerned in making these panini turns lunch prep into high quality time and helps them really feel pleased with contributing to household meals.

Good Duties for Ages 4-7

Little ones can simply wash and dry the apples, unfold softened butter on the surface of the bread with a plastic knife, and assist organize the ham slices on the sandwiches. They love being accountable for urgent the timer button and watching by means of the panini press lid because the cheese melts and the bread will get golden. My youngest all the time volunteers to be the “cheese inspector” to verify it’s completely melted earlier than we take the sandwiches out.

Nice Jobs for Ages 8-12

Older youngsters can safely core and slice the apples with correct supervision, unfold the mustard and mayo contained in the sandwiches, and assist assemble all the panini from begin to end. They’re often able to working the panini press themselves when you’ve proven them how you can do it safely, and so they love the duty of timing the cooking completely. My center schooler has develop into our household’s official “panini chef” and takes pleasure in getting the golden-brown coloration good each time.

Youngsters Can Take Full Possession

Highschool youngsters can simply make these panini independently, experimenting with totally different cheese mixtures or apple varieties to seek out their good model. They typically get pleasure from making these for associates or taking up panini-making duties for the entire household on weekends. Encouraging them to strive variations like including arugula or totally different mustards helps them develop their cooking confidence and palate on the identical time.

A stack of sandwiches with a panini press in the background

Searching for Extra Scrumptious Sandwich Recipes?

Ham and Cheese Panini

This straightforward, scrumptious sandwich combines child favourite taste with grown up sophistication. Candy and savory flavors come collectively in a crispy, melty meal that’s good for lunch or dinner!

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook dinner Time10 minutes

Whole Time19 minutes

Servings: 4

8 slices country-style bread or 4 ciabatta rolls
1/2 lb black forest or smoked ham sliced
4 oz aged cheddar or gruyere cheese sliced or shredded
1 granny smith or fuji apple cored and thinly sliced
4 tbsp dijon or honey dijon mustard
2 tbsp mayonnaise if desired
4 tbsp butter softened
recent arugula elective
crimson onion, thinly sliced elective

If utilizing crimson onion, thinly slice and add to a bowl of vinegar 20 minutes, then drain. This helps to mellow the flavour. Put together remaining substances.
Unfold softened butter to the surface of the bread. On the within of every slice of bread, unfold a skinny layer of dijon mustard and mayonnaise (if utilizing, for additional creaminess).
To 4 of the bread slices, add half of the cheese, the ham, and the apple slices. Add the crimson onion and arugula if desired, then high with the remainder of the cheese. High with the opposite slice of bread, buttered facet up.
Place the sandwiches in a preheated panini press and shut firmly however gently to keep away from over flattening. Cook dinner for about 4-5 minutes or till golden brown and the cheese is melted. If you do not have a panini press, place the sandwiches on a preheated grill pan and high with a heavy skillet, flipping it midway by means of.
Take away the sandwiches from the pan. Wait 1-2 minutes earlier than slicing and serving. Get pleasure from!