Panera Bread is delighting soup and sandwich lovers with the return of its fan-favorite Ciabatta Dippers, available starting September 10, 2025, at participating bakery-cafés nationwide. After a successful debut last year, these melty, dippable sandwiches paired with perfectly portioned soups are back by popular demand, offering a cozy and flavorful dining experience just in time for the fall season. This limited-time offering includes the beloved French Dipper and introduces an all-new Chicken Pesto Dipper, both designed to elevate the classic ritual of dipping sandwiches into Panera’s signature soups.
The Ciabatta Dippers are crafted to enhance the soup-and-sandwich pairing that Panera guests adore. The returning French Dipper features tender, marinated steak, melted provolone and asiago cheeses, and a bold garlic aioli drizzle, all served on artisan ciabatta bread. It comes with a side of Panera’s Bistro French Onion Soup, rich with caramelized onions and a tomato-infused base, making it a hearty take on the classic French dip.
Joining the lineup is the new Chicken Pesto Dipper, a fresh twist that combines grilled chicken, provolone and parmesan cheeses, and a vibrant basil pesto spread on ciabatta. This sandwich is paired with Panera’s Creamy Tomato Soup, offering a zesty and comforting complement that elevates the dipping experience.
“Dipping sandwiches into soup is one of our guests’ favorite rituals, and we love seeing it come to life in our cafés every day,” said Mark Shambura, Chief Marketing Officer at Panera Bread. “We’re thrilled to bring back the Ciabatta Dippers with the French Dipper and introduce the new Chicken Pesto Dipper to satisfy our guests’ cravings for cozy, flavorful combinations.”
The Ciabatta Dippers are available for a limited time, so fans are encouraged to visit their local Panera café or order via the Panera Bread app, website, dine-in, rapid pick-up, or drive-thru (where available) before they disappear. Both sandwiches are part of Panera’s “You Pick 2” menu, allowing guests to enjoy a half sandwich or mix and match to try both varieties. As with all Panera offerings, the sandwiches can be customized—whether you want extra sauce, a cheese swap, or other modifications to suit your taste.
Pricing for the Ciabatta Dippers varies by location. As a reference, a full-sized French Dipper is priced around $13.59, while the Spicy Chicken Dipper from last year’s menu was approximately $11.69. The new Chicken Pesto Dipper’s pricing is expected to be in a similar range. Nutritionally, the French Dipper (whole) contains 1,130 calories, with the half portion at 580 calories. Specific nutritional details for the Chicken Pesto Dipper were not available at the time of this announcement, but guests can check Panera’s website or app for detailed information.
The reintroduction of the Ciabatta Dippers comes on the heels of Panera’s major menu transformation in April 2024, which focused on enhancing core offerings like soups, sandwiches, and salads while delivering better value through larger portions and lower price points. The Dippers are a testament to Panera’s ongoing innovation, building on guest feedback and their love for creative flavor combinations. Last year’s launch saw the sandwiches paired with promotions like double visit credits for MyPanera members, and while no specific promotions were announced for this relaunch, guests are encouraged to check the Panera app for potential offers.
With the Ciabatta Dippers available only for a limited time, now is the perfect moment to indulge in these warm, melty sandwiches and their perfectly paired soups. Whether you’re a fan of the classic French Dipper or eager to try the new Chicken Pesto Dipper, Panera’s latest offering promises a comforting and crave-worthy meal. Visit PaneraBread.com or download the Panera Bread app to place your order and experience the joy of dipping before this seasonal treat is gone.
For more information about Panera Bread and its menu, visit PaneraBread.com.
