Panera Bread is one of the most popular spots out there for fresh sandwiches and salads. They also offer a huge variety of bagels, flatbreads and paninis. Many people visit Panera Bread first thing in the morning for their great breakfast food and fresh coffee options. More popular options offered at the restaurant include cookies, muffins and a variety of other baked goods—and there’s even a Panera secret menu to explore!

Panera Bread opened its first location in Kirkwood, Missouri, but has since expanded to over 2,000 restaurants in the United States and Canada. The restaurant is especially popular with those looking for a healthy alternative to traditional fast food. There’s a wide array of options to choose from, and plenty of inherent customization opportunities in those items. Nevertheless, there’s always the appeal that comes with ordering something delicious from the exclusive off-menu array of items!

Official secret menu vs. customer creations?

Panera does have a secret menu, though it isn’t much of a secret. While customers have created their own “hacks” for certain menu items, the Panera secret menu was actually created by the company itself. While once promoted openly—and quite popular with patrons—Panera has since toned-down advertising it. And while these items are no longer “official,” you can still order them at certain locations. You can also experiment with your favorite dishes, substituting sauces and sides to create some new flavor combinations of your own.

Like their regular menu, the secret menu features mostly healthy options that focus on fresh food. If you’re looking for something you’ve never tried, consider asking for an off-menu item.

The most popular Panera secret menu items

Panera’s secret menu is full of delicious offerings that focus on health and nutrition. Check out some of the most popular Panera secret menu items below:

• Breakfast Egg White Bowl with Roasted Turkey: A good helping of veggies with sliced turkey and egg whites
• Mediterranean Chicken Salad: Fresh baby spinach and romaine lettuce with chicken, hard-boiled eggs, olive oil and more
• Steak Lettuce Wraps: Juicy steak and plenty of vegetables wrapped in a crisp piece of lettuce
• Breakfast Egg Bowl with Steak: A filling breakfast bowl with steak, sunny side up eggs, avocados and more
• Chicken Hummus Bowl: Chicken with spinach, lemon, red onion and a cilantro jalapeno hummus topping

If you’re looking for something to eat after a workout, or just a meal that will keep you full all day, you may want to try ordering an item from Panera’s secret menu. While your options are limited, each one packs a punch when it comes to nutrition, energy and flavor.

How to order from the hidden menu

Since Panera created its own secret menu, it’s easy to order a secret menu item from certain locations. Many Panera employees these days, however, might not recognize the names of most secret menu items. If you’re interested in trying something from the secret menu, just make sure to know the ingredients so you can explain it to the cashier.