Panera's New Summer Menu Is Here—Here's What a Dietitian Would Order

While summer is a season of homemade fruit salads and grilled favorites, we understand that sometimes it’s so hot, you don’t want to even think about preparing a meal. That’s when takeout becomes your friend, and there are plenty of options across our favorite chains that you can feel good about.

Speaking of which, Panera Bread has an array of healthier choices that our editors love to order, from their fresh salads to their creamy soups. And the franchise just announced the release of six new menu items that we are already excited to try. 

Not only are fan-favorite bagel flavors returning (blueberry and sesame), but the chain is focused on spicing up brand-new breakfast and lunch items on the summer menu. From avocado toasts to flavor-packed sandwiches, here’s what to know about the Panera meals before you order.

Panera’s New Avocado Toast

First up, avocado toasts are taking the stage on Panera’s menu for the first time with two new varieties: Classic Avo and Garden Avo. The classic avocado spread on sourdough toast is garnished simply with everything bagel seasoning, sea salt and black pepper, whereas the garden version is topped with sliced tomatoes and garlic aioli.

Here’s the nutritional breakdown for an order of the Classic Avo:

• Calories: 200
• Carbohydrates: 26 g 
• Dietary Fiber: 4 g
• Total Sugars: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Total Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Sodium: 250 mg

And here’s the information for the Garden Avo:

• Calories: 320
• Carbohydrates: 26 g 
• Dietary Fiber: 4 g
• Total Sugars: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Total Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Sodium: 320 mg

While the above breakfast options are a good source of healthy fats, there are a couple of things to keep in mind before running to order these toasts. We asked EatingWell’s nutrition editor and dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S. RD, for her insights.

“These avocado toasts can be great choices for a quick breakfast in a pinch. They’re low in sodium and saturated fat compared to many other fast-food breakfast options,” Ball shares, noting that the toasts align with our heart-healthy recipe parameters. “That said, if I were ordering one of these toasts, I would add another source of protein like their Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries Parfait to give it some more staying power.”

Panera’s New Spicy Sandwiches

For lunch, Panera is offering two new sandwiches: the Spicy Fiesta Chicken Sandwich and Kickin’ Grilled Cheese. Both are spice-forward, with the chicken sandwich and grilled cheese highlighting creamy salsa verde among their ingredients.

For a whole Spicy Fiesta Chicken Sandwich, the nutrition breakdown is:

• Calories: 840
• Carbohydrates: 88 g 
• Dietary Fiber: 5 g
• Total Sugars: 6 g
• Protein: 51 g
• Total Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Sodium: 1,900 mg

“This sandwich sounds delicious and can be part of a healthy eating pattern in moderation. But it’s very high in sodium, saturated fat and calories so it’s not the best choice for a daily lunch,” advises Ball. “To help it fit better into your typical day, you could consider ordering just half of the sandwich. It would still make a satisfying lunch, packing almost 3 grams of fiber and 26 grams of protein.” 

And here’s what makes up the Kickin’ Grilled Cheese:

• Calories: 840
• Carbohydrates: 70 g 
• Dietary Fiber: 3 g
• Total Sugars: 11 g
• Protein: 31 g
• Total Fat: 49 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Sodium: 1,920 mg

“Similar to the Spicy Fiesta Chicken Sandwich, this is better as a special-occasion meal than something to eat regularly. It has over 100% of the recommended maximum saturated fat intake, which is around 22 grams per day according to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans,” Ball says. “It’s also very high in sodium, containing about 83% of the recommended daily intake. This is something to be especially mindful of if you’re at risk of heart disease, as these two nutrients can put a strain on your heart. Ordering half of the sandwich paired with a higher-potassium dish like a salad can help, but it's still best to consume in moderation.”

The Bottom Line

While these new menu options at Panera sound delicious, it’s best to make some modifications if you’re looking to add them to your breakfast or lunch routine. But for an occasional meal, these dishes can be enjoyed in moderation, especially for a hot summer day when you don’t feel like cooking. For more nutrient-packed versions, try recipes like our Salsa-Topped Avocado Toast or Air-Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.