I Tried Panera's New Fall Menu, and My Favorite Item Was a Sweet Twist on a Classic Sandwich
- Panera has rolled out its fall menu nationwide, featuring returning favorites like Autumn Squash Soup and new additions like Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup and PB&J Cookie.
There was a time when I practically treated Panera like my office. When I lived closer to one, I had an Unlimited Sip Club membership and would regularly bring my laptop, grab a coffee, iced tea or lemonade, and settle in to work for a few hours. I don't make it there quite as often these days, but Panera 's new fall menu gave me a pretty good reason to go back.
Starting Sept. 2, Panera is rolling out its seasonal lineup nationwide with plenty of comfort food for the cooler months ahead. The menu includes returning favorites like the Autumn Squash Soup, Harvest Medley Salad, Ciabatta Dippers and Chocolate Chip Bagel, along with three completely new additions: Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup, a PB&J Cookie and Cinnamon Croissant Bites.
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Of the three, I was especially curious about the PB&J Cookie. Peanut butter and jelly is already hard to mess up, and stuffing grape jelly inside a peanut butter cookie sounded like perfection.
I decided to do a taste test of the three new items from Panera's fall menu to see which were worth ordering and, more importantly, which one I'd actually order again. I liked all three, but one was definitely my favorite.
The Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup Is Pure Comfort Food
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
The new Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup features Italian-style sausage , lasagna ribbon pasta and Parmesan in a ricotta-tomato broth and topped with Asiago cheese. It had plenty of tomato flavor, but what I liked most was the spice that kicked in toward the end of each bite. The noodles were tender, and the pasta, sausage and cheese made the bowl filling enough for lunch.
I ordered a bowl with Panera's baguette on the side, and I'd recommend doing the same. It was perfect for dipping into the tomato-rich broth and soaking up whatever was left at the bottom. I finished feeling satisfied without being overly full, and I'd definitely order this one again when I'm craving soup.
The Cinnamon Croissant Bites Are Made for a Sweet Tooth
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
The Cinnamon Croissant Bites come topped with plenty of Panera's cinnamon crunch topping and a side of icing for dipping. The outside was flaky while the center stayed soft, and each bite had plenty of cinnamon and sugar.
They're already pretty sweet on their own, so I only used a little of the icing rather than coating every bite. I could see these being a hit with kids or anyone who loves a sugary breakfast treat, but they probably wouldn't be my first choice from Panera's bakery case. One word of warning: They're flaky and a little messy, so I'd save these for when you're eating at a table rather than attempting them in the car.
The PB&J Cookie Was My Favorite
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
The PB&J Cookie was the new item I was most excited to try, and thankfully, it lived up to my expectations. It's a soft peanut butter cookie filled with grape jelly and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. Think of it almost like an Uncrustable in cookie form.
There was a generous amount of jelly in the center, so I got some in nearly every bite, and I liked the balance between the sweet filling and peanut butter flavor of the cookie. The cookie itself was soft but still firm enough to hold everything together without falling apart. It's also big enough to share if you just want something sweet after a meal.
Of the three new items I tried, this is the one I'd be most likely to order again.
Final Thoughts
Panera's fall menu has a little something for whatever you're in the mood for, from a filling bowl of soup to something sweet with your coffee. With three new items plus several returning favorites, there's a lot to choose from this fall at Panera.
Related: I Tried Peet's New Fall Menu—and My Favorite Item Was a Total Surprise
This story was originally published by Parade on Sep 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
