T Nuts flipped over will act the same as the threaded inserts- although they would defineatly need to be epoxied in.
Another option is the use of draw bolts such as these:

With a cut out like this:

You would have to drill through the top for the bolt, then router out a hole in the side of the panels where the rectangular bolt would slide in. Then the bolts are tightened from the top and pull the rectangle upwards, which tightens the top down. It would take a little time, but a simple jig or template could be made for the router to make the rectangular holes in the side panel. They could also be made larger- so as to make it easy for the bolt hole to be drilled and hit the hole.
The holes are usually made like this on the underside of countertops: