How To Get Free Food at Panera Bread! (22 Menu Hacks)

Pause your week and enjoy a fun break for Free Food at Panera Bread!  Have you tried any of these easy hacks yet?

How To Get Free Food at Panera Bread

Are you wondering how to get Free Food at Panera?

It’s actually SO easy, thanks to these Panera Bread Menu Hacks!!

Maybe you’re craving a sweet pastry and cup of coffee from Panera?  Or maybe one of those amazing salads, soups, or sandwiches?  Or how about some crazy decadent mac and cheese?  Yes, please!

If you’re wondering… ‘How Can I Eat Cheap at Panera’ or ‘What Can You Get For Free At Panera’?

You’ve just hit the jackpot!

With so many easy ways to save money and sneaky ordering hacks, it’s time to treat yourself at Panera Bread!

Here’s everything you need to know… to get more FREE or cheap food from Panera Bread!

Related: 30 Eat Out Cheap Ideas

#1. Get a FREE Panera Pastry or Sweet Treat When You Sign up for MyPanera Rewards!

Who doesn’t love free treats?

Sign up for a free MyPanera Rewards account, and get your first reward for Panera free food just for signing up! (usually a free pastry or sweet treat)

Then… you’ll earn points every time you dine at Panera Bread, which will turn into more FREE food.

Like free sandwiches, salads and more!

Talk about an easy way to Save Money!  Panera Freebies are always a delicious idea!!

#2. Get a FREE Panera Birthday Reward Every Year!

When signing up for MyPanera Rewards, make sure to enter your birthdate (an optional field).

This will ensure you get your Panera Birthday Freebie each year, too!

I love snagging a delicious Free Panera cookie or pastry on my birthday.  

It’s one of my favorite birthday freebies every year!

Related: 201 Birthday Freebies to Sign Up For ASAP!

#3. Get the Panera Bread App for More FREEBIES All Year Long!

In addition to scoring even more Free Panera goodies, the app will also keep you up to date on the latest promotions, deals, Panera Coupons (like 20% off) and more!

For example, my hubby and I recently each had a free side available on each of our accounts.  We both opted for a free apple, and took them home for a free snack the next day!

So take a minute… and go get that app!

Diane writes: “They give freebies ALL the time if you have their app. Love it!”

#4. Order Off The Panera Kids Menu in the Drive-Thru to Save BIG!

Not too hungry?  Not a problem!

If you’re not too hungry or just want to save some cash, simply head to your local Panera with a drive-thru and order a delicious meal off the kids menu.

This is such an easy way to save a bundle, and the menu is amazing!

Choose from your favorite Panera Soups, Sandwiches, Salads, and Pastas… all in a perfect little portion!

#5. Swap Your Panera Sandwich Bread for a Croissant… for FREE!

Craving a buttery croissant with those dreamy, fluffy layers?

When you order your sandwich, simply ask to swap your bread for a croissant.

There’s no extra charge!

Plus, using a croissant instead of ordinary sandwich bread gives your ordinary sandwich such a fabulous gourmet upgrade!

#6. Going Meatless?  Substitute Avocado for Meat on your Panera Sandwich, and Skip the Upcharge!

If you’re not a fan of pesky junk fees, then you’ll really love this easy tip.

Why pay more than you need to… right?

If you want a meatless sandwich, rather than asking for a veggie sandwich and ‘Adding’ Avocado for an additional charge, simply order a regular meat sandwich and ask to ‘Substitute’ the meat for Avocado at no additional charge.

Such an easy, sneaky way to save!

Need more flavor?  Make sure you don’t forget those obvious Free Items available at Panera, like extra Ketchup, Spicy Deli Mustard, Hot Sauce, and Mayonnaise free of charge!

#7. You Can Also Add Extra Veggies To Your Panera Sandwich for FREE!

Want to load up on even more veggies this week?

You can ask to add on extra Cucumbers, Spinach, Tomato, and/or Red Onion to any Panera Bread sandwich for FREE!

This is an easy way to add more value and nutrition to your next order!

#8. Ask For Your Apple to Be Sliced, with a Side of FREE Honey for Dipping!

You know the apple that comes on the side with your meal?

Well… for no extra charge you can ask for it to be sliced, and also request a free side of honey for dipping!

Just trust me… it’s delicious!

#9. Skip the Bottled Water, and Get FREE Panera Filtered Ice Water Instead!

Skip that bottled water, which will run you around $2.00 and quench your thirst with a FREE ice water instead.

Sometimes I even take my favorite tea or drink in a cooler that I’ve purchased on grocery store sales, and drink it in my car while I’m out and about after I leave the restaurant.

Restaurant drinks have high markups, so it’s such a simple way to save when dining out!

Plus… why pay for a water bottle, when you can get a larger filtered water for FREE, right?

#10. Or Order a Small Drink & Get Unlimited FREE Panera Refills!

Or if you’re dining in at Panera and can’t pass on your favorite free drink, always order a ‘Small’ drink.

Refills are self-serve, unlimited, and free, so it’s an easy way to save more money!

Taking advantage of free refills at Panera is a great way to make that next coffee date a little extra frugal.

#11. Take Advantage of FREE Panera Coffee Refills, Too!

Did you know Panera offers free coffee refills?

Um… yes, please!

When ordering a coffee at Panera, always be sure to order a Small Cup and take advantage of free coffee refills to sweeten the deal on your cup of Joe even more!

This is one of my favorite ways to save money at Panera!

#12. Or Get a FREE Panera Drink Every 2 Hours When You Join the Unlimited Sip Club!

Can you get free drinks at Panera?

You sure can!

First you’ll need to join the Panera Unlimited Sip Club.

Membership is $10.99/month, but once you join you can score any size FREE Coffee, Tea, Fountain Drinks, and even Charged Lemonades every 2 hours!

I love picking up these Panera drinks when I’m out and about running errands, or on a frugal date night with my hubby!

#13. Get 99c Panera Cookies and Pastries When You Buy a Panera Meal + Drink!

If you’ll be buying a meal + a drink, now is the time to splurge on dessert!

At this point, the cookies and pastries will be marked down to just 99 cents as an add on!

This is such a brilliant way to score a deal on one of those totally irresistible chocolate chip cookies!

#14. Ask for a Panera Discount on Cookies in the Evening!

If you’re not buying a meal and a drink, but still would like a deal on cookies, just ask for a discount!

We were recently at Panera and asked the cashier if they had any deals on cookies, other than the 99c add-on deal.

She said since it was getting later in the evening, she could offer us any cookies we wanted for 50% off.

Score!

#15. Buy Your Panera Bagels on Tuesdays!

You’ve heard of Taco Tuesday, but did you know Bagel Tuesday is a thing, too?

Every Tuesday, at most locations, you’ll be able to score a sweet deal on a Baker’s Dozen of Bagels!

(usually about $4 off)

Bagel date anyone?

#16. Split a Panera Meal, Add a Cookie & order 2 Small Drinks!

Another simple way to save on Panera is to simply split a meal with your friend or date, add on a cookie, and order two small drinks!

You’ll each end up with unlimited free refills on your drinks, and can then split your sandwich, split the cookie, and split the side!

(apple slices, baguette, or potato chips)

Even though it’s a little smaller, you’ll be surprise at how satisfying the meal will be.

You’ll save BIG, too!

#17. Check Your Email for More Panera Coupons and Offers! (I just got 50% Off!)

When you join MyPanera Rewards, make sure to enter your email address, then keep a close eye on your emails for exclusive offers.

Just the other day I received an email from Panera with a promo code for 50% off my next delivery order.

Cha-ching!

Don’t make the mistake of overlooking emails from stores and restaurants you visit regularly!

#18. Then Follow Panera on Social Media for More Sweet Panera Deals and Coupons!

Did you know that Panera talks about some of their very best deals on Facebook and Instagram?

So don’t miss out.

Be the first to know about even more promotional deals when you follow Panera Bread on social media!

#19. Take Advantage of the FREE Panera Curbside Pickup!

If you don’t want to go inside your local Panera, you can also take advantage of FREE curbside pickup at select restaurants.

Check to see if your local Panera offers this service, then follow the website instructions for how to pickup the items you’ve ordered!

This is such as smart way to enjoy your Panera when you have the kiddos with you!

#20. You Can Even Become a Baker at Panera, and Eat FREE!

And if you want even more free food at Panera, frugal friend Linda writes: “Become a Baker here and eat free each and every shift!”

Linda’s tip is such a smart way to think outside of the box!

Not only is working at Panera a smart side hustle idea, it’s also a great way to score even more Free Panera.

Sweet!

#21. How To Make Panera At Home!

Did you know it’s actually crazy easy to make gourmet espresso right at home?

It’s also massively cheaper than going out!

Get started when you use my easy tips for How to Make Espresso at Home without a fancy machine… and start making your favorite Panera Bread Espresso Drinks right at home for a fraction of the price!

You’ll also want this dreamy drink on repeat…

Copycat Panera Hot Chocolate Recipe

Then, learn how to make your favorite Panera soup at home…

Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

#22. Snatch up FREE Bonus Panera Gift Cards in November or December!

Another easy trick is to check for bonus gift card offers around the holidays!

For example, in 2023 Panera offered a FREE $10 gift card for every $50 in gift cards purchased.

I love taking advantage of these types of gift card deals… you can use the free gift card for yourself later, or give it away as a Frugal Gift Idea!

I’ve even seen deals like 15% off Panera Gift Cards on their site in February!

Bonus Tip. Never Leave Home Without a FREE Panera Gift Card!

I seriously LOVE loading up on FREE restaurant gift cards from Swagbucks!!  With Swagbucks you earn SB Points by watching videos, taking short surveys, shopping online and more.

Here’s what you need to do…

Go here to sign up for your Free Swagbucks account.

Then… start earning SB Points!  Learn about all the best ways to earn SB Points with these 16 Ways to Earn More Swagbucks SB Points.  More SB points = More Gift Cards!

Scoring Panera free food is such a fun way to reward yourself…

Bonus Tip #2. Pay Through the Panera App with FREE PayPal Gift Cards!

Did you know that you can use PayPal when checking out through the Panera App?

Go start collecting FREE PayPal Gift Cards when you take surveys with Survey Junkie.

Once you reach 1,000 points, you can cash out your points for a $10 PayPal Gift Card!

More Ways To Save Money At Your Favorite Restaurants

I’ve got even more tips to help you score deals at your favorite restaurants.

When you can score this many deals, you can afford to splurge a whole lot more often.

Saving money has never been more rewarding!

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So what are your favorite tricks for How To Get Free Food at Panera Bread?

Leave a comment & share!