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This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is a game-changer for homemade sandwiches and the ultimate Subway copycat! Soft, fluffy, and loaded with melted cheese and flavorful herbs, this bread is perfect for taking your sandwiches to the next level. Whether you’re making a hearty sub or enjoying it on its own, this recipe is easy to whip up and guaranteed to impress.
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Subway Italian Herb Cheese Bread
Yummy bread makes a better sandwich, and I love Subway’s fresh-baked bread — specifically Subway’s Italian herb and cheese variety. It’s so flavorful and delicious! The inside is soft, chewy, and not too thick so you can taste the toppings, too. This recipe is closest to the real thing and even slightly edges it out. It’s easy to make at home and makes your kitchen smell so good.
Why You’ll Love This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread
- Simple recipe. I love how easy this recipe is! I never thought I would have the patience to make homemade bread, but this one in particular proved me wrong. I make this one often because it’s so simple and delicious.
- Family favorite. Anyone who has tried this bread loves it. I make it fairly often and it doesn’t stick around long. Even the kids love it and we know how they can be hard to impress at times. I promise this is good enough to add to your weekly shopping list.
- Freezes well. I enjoy making this bread ahead or making extra to store in the freezer for later. It thaws perfectly so we can have a sandwich or a piece warm with butter — it will save you tons of time.
What You’ll Need
You will need instant yeast, which is an inexpensive ingredient, for your dough to rise so you end up with soft, fluffy bread. The toppings are also important so it comes out perfectly cheesy and flavorful.
- Warm water and instant yeast: These ingredients are key in any bread recipe. Warm water helps to activate the yeast so when mixed with the other ingredients, your bread will rise. This ensures thick, soft bread!
- Sugar: A little sweetness is needed to balance the flavors. I use white granulated sugar for this.
- Spices: I add salt to the bread dough and then garlic powder and Italian seasoning to the top before it’s baked.
- Vegetable oil: This adds fat and flavor to the bread. I like to use a neutral oil so it doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.
- Flour: I have only made this recipe with all-purpose flour but I’m sure it would work fine with a gluten-free blend.
- Cheese: I use a combination of parmesan cheese and Colby Jack to mimic the flavors of the Subway version.
How to Make Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread
If you have never made bread before, don’t worry! This recipe is extremely easy to follow and execute so you can enjoy perfectly baked Subway bread every time.
- Combine water, yeast, and sugar. Add the active dry yeast and sugar to the warm water and gently stir. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes so the yeast can bloom.
- Mix flour and salt. Whisk flour and salt in a large mixing bowl until they are well combined.
- Add yeast and oil. Pour the yeast mixture and vegetable oil into the flour. Mix until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Knead the dough. Gently knead the dough for about 8 minutes.
- Let it rise. Transfer the dough to a clean bowl coated lightly in oil and let it rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Divide and shape. Punch it down and cut it into 4 pieces. Shape each piece into 4 long rolls.
- Cover and rise. Place them on a clean surface, cover them with a clean dish towel, and let them rise for another hour or until they double in size again.
- Prep the oven and pan. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Season the rolls. Brush the rolls with oil and sprinkle parmesan, Colby jack, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning on top.
- Bake and cool. Put it in the oven and bake it for about 15-20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Let the bread rolls cool completely.
- Slice and serve. Carefully slice them open with a sharp knife and fill them with your favorite sandwich toppings!
Tips for Success
- Customize the flavor. You can change up this recipe to make it your own. Try topping the rolls with jalapenos and cheddar, everything bagel seasoning, dried onion, and sesame seeds, to name a few. Keep it plain, too. There are endless possibilities.
- Try different sizes. Create one or two large loaves or small rolls — whatever you prefer! You will have to slightly adjust the baking times, but the bread will come out just as delicious.
- Be patient. The key to any homemade bread is patience. Depending on the temperature in your home, your dough may take longer to rise. Keep it covered in a warm place for best results. I like to put mine into the oven (keep it off) and that seems to help the dough rise easier!
Proper Storage
Store leftover bread in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature or up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Tightly wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to 1 month!
More Bread Recipes to Try
- French Bread Recipe
- Jalapeno Cheddar Bread
- Crock Pot Bread
- Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
- Homemade Honey Oat Bread Recipe
Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread (Subway Copycat Recipe)
This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is the perfect Subway copycat. It’s soft and fluffy, coated in melted cheese and tasty herbs.
Servings: 4 loaves
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 cup water warm
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 4 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 1/4 cup colby jack cheese shredded
- 1 Tablespoon parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- To warm water add the yeast and sugar and let it bloom for a few minutes.
- Next in a large mixing bowl combine the flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture and oil to the flour mix.
- Stir together well. Knead the dough for at least 8 minutes.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down and separate into 4 equal pieces. Shape the pieces into 4 long roll shapes. Cover and let rise until doubled in size again.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Brush the roll with a little oil.
- Sprinkle the rolls with the parmesan cheese, garlic powder, italian seasoning and colby jack cheese.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Set aside to cool completely.
- Slice and fill with your favorite sandwich fillings.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Nutrition
Calories: 489kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 950mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 4mg
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8 comments on “Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread”
Using a calculator this is roughly a 73% hydration dough. This correct? Just checking before I attempt, especially in humid SC.
Hi JayJay. Correct, this would be considered a medium hydration dough. I understand your concern as we are in humid Georgia :). Other than maybe being slightly stickier than what you may be used to, you should be fine.
Hello! Making this recipe today! Is the calories (489) per loaf or the entire recipe?
Thanks!
Hi Ashley. This recipe yields 4 loaves and the calories listed are for one loaf.
When you say gently knead the dough for 8 minutes, do you mean knead by hand? Or with a stand mixer? Thanks
Hi Jessie. Yes, you’ll knead by hand.
Like this recipe is easy to do, keep putting out more.
Thank you Hugo!