Bobby Flay Grilled Banana and Nutella Panini is an easy five-ingredient dessert sandwich with mashed bananas, Nutella, and buttered bread, ready in 20 minutes. That makes it a quick summer snack or party treat for kids, since the grill turns simple ingredients into a warm, crispy bite.
The key move is mashing the bananas before spreading them on the bread, so the filling stays flat and even inside each sandwich. Sliced bananas slide around when the bread hits the grill, but mashed fruit holds its place and melts into the Nutella.
What sets this version apart is grilling the sandwiches directly on the grates instead of using a panini press or skillet. That direct heat gives both sides a charred, crispy crust that a press cannot match, while the Nutella and banana turn warm inside.
Bobby Flay Grilled Banana and Nutella Panini
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes10
minutes755
kcalButtered whole-wheat bread filled with mashed bananas and Nutella, grilled on both sides until golden, then dusted with confectioners’ sugar for a warm dessert sandwich. Five ingredients and 20 minutes are all you need for this crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
3 ripe bananas, sliced
12 slices whole-wheat bread
1 cup Nutella
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
Directions
- Mash the bananas:Peel the bananas, place them in a bowl, and mash with a fork until mostly smooth with a few small chunks remaining.
- Spread the filling:Lay out 6 slices of bread and spread each one with an even layer of Nutella. Spoon the mashed banana over the Nutella, then top with the remaining 6 slices of bread.
- Butter the outside:Spread softened butter generously on the top and bottom of each sandwich.
- Heat the grill:Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Grill the sandwiches:Place the sandwiches on the grill and cook until the bread is golden brown and crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Press down gently with a spatula while cooking.
- Dust and serve: Remove the sandwiches from the grill, dust with confectioners’ sugar, and serve immediately.
FAQs
What kind of bananas work best for this panini?
Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor, since they mash smoothly and taste sweeter than firm yellow ones. Green or underripe bananas stay starchy and do not blend well with the Nutella. Mash them in a bowl with a fork until no large chunks remain, so the filling spreads evenly on each slice.
Can you use a different type of bread?
You can use white bread, brioche, or sourdough instead of whole wheat, since the recipe works with any sturdy sliced bread. Thinner sandwich bread crisps faster and lets the filling warm through in less time on the grill. Avoid thick artisan loaves, because the center stays cold before the outside starts to burn.
How should you butter the bread for grilling?
Spread butter on the outside of each sandwich right before grilling so it does not soak into the bread and turn soggy. Use softened butter so it covers the surface in a thin, even layer without tearing the slices. The butter is what gives the bread its golden crust, so do not skip it or use too little.
How long do you grill each side?
Grill the sandwiches over medium-high heat for about two to three minutes per side, watching closely so the bread does not char. The Nutella melts fast and can burn if the heat runs too high, so stay close and flip once the first side turns golden. Press down gently with a spatula to help both slices seal together.
When should you add the confectioners’ sugar?
Dust the sandwiches with confectioners’ sugar the moment they come off the grill, while the butter on the surface is still warm and sticky. The sugar clings to the hot bread and adds a light sweetness that balances the rich Nutella filling. Serve immediately, since these taste best when the inside is still warm and gooey.
