This is one breakfast your kids won’t say no to! While this seems very ‘indulgent,’ the details actually show its high quality nutrition. Dark chocolate is a great source of magnesium, antioxidants, and fiber; the peanuts are a good source of protein, and a great source of healthful oils; the bread is a good source of fiber and B vitamins and the banana, of course, is highly nutritious- potassium, vitamins, fiber. But watch out! It’s all in the ingredients you choose: I use wholegrain bread (click here and also here for my recommendation) that is high in fiber, low in salt, low in sugar, and has no partially hydrogenated oils (even has lentils, and you know how I feel about those!), a natural unsweetened peanut butter with no added salt, sugar or hydrogenated oils (natural almond butter is also wonderful!), and bittersweet rather than milk chocolate chips for less sugar, and of course a banana is a banana, you can’t go wrong (read more about bananas here)! It’s very quick and simple to make in the morning if you have a small panini maker on your counter, ready to go. Kids gobble this up and you’ll feel so good about it because it is so good for them!
- 2 slices wholegrain bread (Alvarado Street Bakery )
- 2 Tbsp natural peanut or almond butter (no added salt or sugar)
- 10 bittersweet chocolate chips (60% cocoa)
- ½ banana, sliced
- Preheat panini maker.
- Spread each slice of bread with 1 Tbsp peanut or almond butter.
- Top the bottom slice of bread with the sliced bananas in one layer.
- Top with chocolate chips.
- Place the other slice of bread on top, with the peanut or almond butter face down.
- Put the sandwich in panini maker for 1-2 minutes (do not press or the melted chocolate will ooze out!)
Catherine,
I’m in Connecticut too. Can you tell me where you find this bread in grocery stores? I looked on Amazon and its a little pricey….probably because of the weight and shipping charges.
Thank you! Love the recipes and the site!
Lee Ann
Hi Lee Ann! Thank you so much! I find them at Stop & Shop!!
Oh great, thanks so much. Stop-N-Shops everwhere. : )
Lee Ann
We just finished our breakfast paninis, and they were delicious!!! The older children said this recipe is a definite keeper and was perfect for our “Fun Friday” breakfast!
Ashley, I couldn’t wish for a better rating! I love and am honored by being officially accepted into the”fun Friday” breakfast! That is absolutely delightful!!
Thank you Catherine! I’m planning on trying out a ton of your recipes, next on my list after the paninis will be your spaghetti and meatballs. I’ve recently switched us over from ground beef to ground turkey for cost effectiveness along with the lower saturated fat in turkey. And I try to get legumes in everyone as often as possible, so this seems like a real no-brainer (although it never would have occurred to me!)
My children are already really good about eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, but I just love the idea of making everything even more healthy and beneficial by including extra, undetected.
The ages of my children are 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 3, 18 months, and the new baby will be arriving in February.
Ashley, it sounds like you are doing wonderfully already!! Really, I am in awe of you!! Can’t wait for you to try the turkey meatballs, they are so moist and delicious!!
I am going to make this tomorrow morning for my small army (7 going on 8 kids). It’s going to clench the “best Mom in the world” award for me for October, I just know it!
Lately our breakfasts have been so mundane, oatmeal w/ PB and milk, eggs w/ toast and milk. Time to shake things up!
WOW, 7 going on 8 kids– Ashley you are SUPER MOM!!! WOW, really I bow to you! !!! I am so glad I could contribute a little something to your busy household! I have some other wonderful easy breakfasts that I think they will love as well and will make you feel so good giving to them. My White Wheat Pancakes. or Simply Oatmeal, or Simply Porridge, off the top of my head, are some wonderful top hits my kids have just loved over the years. let me know how it all goes!! How old is your little army?
Oh my literal gosh- where has the Heavenly combination of peanut butter + banana + chocolate been all my life? A huge THANK YOU for this!!!
I didn’t have bread nor a panini maker for today, but combining the other ingredients in a bowl with oatmeal + walnuts worked as a great substitute!
I’m pretty sure I can survive the rest of my life making recipes only from this site- it literally has something for nearly all of my favorite foods!
Haha!! I LOVE your comment! I can’t wait for you to try more recipes!!!
Yay Tina! that’s wonderful!
What an absolute boost in the morning! Love it. Thanks for sharing!
Could you just make it in a pan?
Absolutely, Les, but what’s nice about the panini machine is that you don’t have to think about it, or watch the pan! For me, it’s cooking while I make my coffee and I turn around, and TA-DA, it’s done! Perfect for rushed mornings!
Alvarado street Bakery, California, Complete protein. I put the link above in the description of the recipe. You ‘ll see it if you hover over the word “wholegrain bread”. Enjoy!
What exact bread do you recommend? Brand etc.
Haha! Sweetie! I am going to send you one!!!
I am dying to have this! I might have to go get a panini maker just for this 🙂
YES my Natalia! In fact I was thinking of you when I created it and thought I could send you one of those cheap little panini makers to have in your common kitchen space at school! You already have all the right ingredients in your cupboard! How delicious would that be?!! That makes me so happy!!
That would be so great!! Thanks momma 🙂
You got it my sweetness!
Wow this looks so good! Great idea to make it a panini! I’ve only had it cold before