If you’re unfamiliar with Panera’s Flatbread pizza, you’ll want to read this. You might be skeptical of a flatbread pizza at first, but we urge you to reconsider.
In any case, try it out at least until you’ve finished our assessment. After that, you’ll be in a better position to judge if this pizza is still something you’re interested in trying, and we really hope you do.
Even though most customers consider Panera to be a place to acquire sandwiches and coffee, the chain has recently expanded its menu to include pizza. Some folks are naturally apprehensive to try it out because pizza clearly isn’t their main focus.
Consequently, this is where we hope to make the most of our abilities and help people’s lives. In order to save you the trouble of guessing what their flatbread pizza tastes like, we have provided you with an in-depth review of it.
What is it?
One important point must be made before we delve any deeper into its taste. The idea that Panera would make a flatbread pizza is not as far-fetched as it may first appear.
I’ll be honest: their crust is excellent, and from there it’s all about the toppings.
However, there is one element that most people struggle to grasp about this Panera flatbread pizza. It’s hard to see Panera making a good pizza because they aren’t a pizzeria.
You may have noticed that several businesses who don’t normally serve pizza do now, and you haven’t had a good experience at any of them. Maybe things will turn out differently if we try again.
There is a lot of ground to cover before we can draw any conclusions, so we must get on with the review.
The Crust
Panera’s pizza flatbread has a great crust. It’s the perfect compromise between a crispy outside and a chewy interior.
As a result, your pizza will have just the right amount of crunch and chew, with neither texture taking center stage.
Because of this, the dough is far superior to that of many other types of flatbread pizza. It also doesn’t seem to be that heavy. Therefore, if you manage to eat one, you won’t feel like it’s going to waste away in your stomach.
To add insult to injury, the flatbread pizza gets chewier as you move toward the middle. The edges are really crunchy right after taking it out of the oven, but that crunch quickly disappears as you move inward.
The delicious crunchiness of the crust is largely unaffected by the change, though. It keeps its light texture and subtle flavor throughout. The finished product is a nice crust, and it’s not the worst crust available.
But the cook makes all the difference, as is the case at any pizzeria. Using this crust for the flatbread should never cause any problems, but we cannot guarantee this.
The Size
Panera has achieved near-perfection with relation to the size of their sandwiches. Typically, they measure 11 inches in length and 4 inches in width. That is, one individual may have a whole pizza in one sitting.
However, if you have a large appetite, you may find it to be insufficient. With it divided into six squares, it may be an excellent lunch option for the majority of individuals.
Compared to other little pizzas available elsewhere, this size is rather adequate. In fact, if you compare the size and price, you will discover that you are receiving a wonderful deal.
Also, you do not feel as though you are eating too much. This is partially attributable to the crust and the fact that it is lighter than other options, which certainly helps.
The Toppings
Currently, patrons of Panera can order this pizza with one of five available topping combinations. Options here range from the classic Margherita to many cheeses, pepperoni, and even Chipotle chicken and bacon.
While it’s clear that this doesn’t represent a huge number of options, it’s still more variety than most people expect to have. Furthermore, it looks that they are not stingy with the pizza toppings.
Plus, the toppings look like what you’d expect, but the quality of their flavor is not diminished in any way. What we like most about them is that they’ve provided a little distinct Chipotle option. The monotony of the food offered at most restaurants makes it difficult to find something that will excite your taste buds.
But are the Toppings Any Good?
Let’s get one thing straight, the toppings do not come across as anything different or special. Well, at least in comparison to what you will get at any pizzeria.
Occasionally, the pizza sauce might taste as though something is missing. However, this might be due to a rare issue with the sauce that we shall discuss later.
However, there is also mozzarella. In all honesty, the mozzarella cheese used in pizza is extremely tasty. It has a satisfying texture and melts perfectly into the pizza. We recommend that you include mozzarella on your pizza, since it remains the pizza topping with the most surprise factor.
The tomatoes used as toppings often have a mild flavor, yet they are pleasant. Their pepperoni is identical to that found elsewhere, so it delivers a bit of a punch but does not overpower.
However, we normally do not mind the toppings. They impart sufficient flavor and taste to the pizza without going overboard. Therefore, the majority of individuals should feel pretty content with the available options.
If You Want Something Different
However, if you want to try something a little different, we recommend the Chipotle chicken with bacon.
Here, the pizza sauce is the ultimate highlight of the dish. The Chipotle and tomato sauce foundation definitely strikes the spot and elevates this flatbread pizza to a whole new level. In fact, you can smell this pizza more than any other pizza when it emerges from the oven.
The majority of their pizza sauce is really fairly bland, so if you want a sauce with a little bit extra, this is the solution for you.
Any Downsides?
However, while the overall picture looks to be rather positive, there are a few drawbacks to the Panera flatbread pizza.
One issue is the pizza’s temperature. Some customers have complained that their pizza is lukewarm rather than hot. This temperature issue varies from place to place, but it does affect things slightly.
Also, while they may appear to be liberal with the toppings, this is not always the case. There are times when the pizza sauce emerges in a very thin layer, which makes things a little more difficult to consume.
Basically, the drawback is a serious lack of consistency, which is due to the persons that make the pizza. It’s puzzling how they can add so many toppings one day and so few the next. Finally, you have to hope that luck is on your side when it comes to acquiring a pizza with a reasonable number of toppings.
We all know that both of these concerns appear to be rather serious, yet they do not always occur. The texture and flavor of the crust remain consistent, which is a nice thing.
However, when your pizza doesn’t quite strike the target, it can be upsetting, and regrettably, this can happen with the Panera flatbread pizza.
Overall Conclusion
The Panera flatbread pizza continues to astonish me. While it may not come from the conventional places, it’s a basic pizza that hits the spot.
Sure, it doesn’t have the same depth as a pizza from a regular pizzeria, but it’s acceptable for a snack or an alternate option.
We don’t even mind that there are only a few topping alternatives. After all, what else would you expect from a place where pizza isn’t the primary attraction?
If you’re looking for a low-cost alternative to traditional pizza, the Panera flatbread may be just what you’re looking for. Granted, it’s not the finest pizza you’ve ever had, but it’s also not at the bottom of your list.