Subway Italian Herbs and Cheese bread is soft white rolls topped with crispy cheese and flavorful herbs. If you want to learn how to make Italian herb and cheese bread Subway style, keep reading!
Every time we stop at a Subway for a snack or meal I ALWAYS choose their Italian herbs and cheese bread. The inside of the sandwich often changes, but the bun remains the same. Italian herbs and cheese bread from Subway enhances the flavor of whatever's in between. It's perfection!
That's why I created the best Subway copycat Italian herbs and cheese bread recipe. Tastes just like the real thing, only homemade. And I'm really excited to share it with you today.
Now you can have access to this bread any time you desire it. Heck, we keep some in the freezer just for when the mood strikes us and we want a delicious and flavorful sub sandwich.
I am pretty sure you will do the same. This homemade recipe makes four full size or five good sized submarine buns from scratch. You'll love the way this bread smells while it's baking.
Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread
As many of you will agree, when making a sandwich of any kind the bread is the most crucial element. I love that this Subway bread recipe Italian herb and cheese makes four or five buns at a time so you have lots on hand for delicious sandwiches!
In the back of your mind I know you're thinking why go to all the trouble to make this bread when I can buy an entire sub from Subways for $5? I get it! And trust me, I thought the same thing until I tried making these buns for the first time. In my opinion, this amazing bread tastes almost better than the original Italian herbs and cheese bread from Subway. More cheese and more flavor. Super soft, the right amount of chewy and it's homemade. Once you try the homemade version, you'll love them. I can almost guarantee it.
Now, it's time for the age old question: Do you prefer hot or cold sandwiches? I like my sandwiches toasted but Ken likes his cold! In my opinion, this bread tastes even better when it's toasted and loaded down with your favorite sandwich toppings. I hope you enjoy this sub roll as much as my family and friends do!
It's likely you have most of these ingredients in your pantry already, so you'll only need to stock up on a couple.
Ingredients for Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread - Subway Copycat
- Active dry yeast
- Warm water
- Sugar
- Flour
- Vital Wheat Gluten
- Cold butter
- Salt
- Cheddar
- Jack cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Oregano leaves or Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
What is Vital Wheat Gluten and Where Can I Buy It?
Vital wheat gluten can be found at health food stores that sell Bob's Red Mill products or online. The product is pretty much pure powdered protein and is sometimes used by people who are allergic to flour, as a binding agent in recipes that do not use yeast. I hope this helps.
What Temperature Should my Water be to Bloom Yeast?
Water should be between 105 and 110 degrees F. Do not add yeast to water that is higher than this temperature or your bread will rise too quickly and then collapse.
What is the Difference between Active Dry Yeast and Rapid Rise Yeast?
Rapid rise yeast has been developed to shorten the rise time of bread. It is not a direct substitute for active dry yeast. Make sure that you use active dry yeast for this recipe!
How to Make Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread
In a stand mixer mixing bowl, combine yeast, ½ cup warm water, and sugar. Stir until well combined and let stand for about 10 minutes until nice and foamy.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine flour and vital wheat gluten. Add one cup of warm water to the yeast mixture (in the stand mixer bowl) and add flour/wheat gluten mixture until combined.
Attach the bowl to the stand mixer and with the dough hook attachment, mix bread dough for about three to four minutes, adding a little flour if necessary—keeping it a little sticky.
You want the dough to be sticky enough that it sticks to the bottom of the bowl a little bit, but not the sides.
After three or four minutes, cut up three tablespoons of cold butter into little cubes and add to the mixing bowl and add one tablespoon of salt.
Mix an additional five to six minutes until butter is mixed into the dough, pull the bread down off the hook if needed throughout the mixing process. Again, you want the dough to be slightly sticky and stretchy.
Place dough in a large greased bowl and roll around a little to get it greased all around.
Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for about an hour.
Punch dough down and divide into three equal pieces (flour your hands if the dough is too sticky for easier handling).
Roll out each piece into a 12" long loaf.
The dough should be the same thickness all the way across. Place on a non-stick baking sheet (I used a silicon baking mat) or a breadform pan. Cover and allow to rise for 40 to 60 minutes, until the dough doubles in size.
How to Bake Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine cheeses, garlic powder, oregano or Italian seasoning in a bowl. Divide mixture evenly into four piles and sprinkle on top of each loaf before baking.
Bake in the oven for 15 to 25 minutes (check at 15 minutes) until the bread is golden brown. Remove from the oven and lightly run a little melted butter over the top. This will soften it up nicely.
Allow loaves to cool completely, then serve with all your favorite sub sandwich toppings!
How Do I Store Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread?
You can store your Italian herbs and cheese bread in an airtight bag for up to three days. Be sure to keep your bread away from heat sources so the bag doesn't steam up or sweat.
Can I Freeze this Copycat Subway Bread?
Yes, you can! This recipe is about as perfect as one can get for freezing. Arrange unbaked rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet and place inside the freezer. When the bread has become firm, remove from the baking sheet to store in an airtight bag or container.
You can freeze Italian herbs and cheese bread dough for up to three months. Bake straight from the freezer at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes, or until the bread has heated through.
Tips
- Using whole wheat flour will create whole wheat bread
- Omit topping and you can make plain subway buns on better tasting
- Use cheaper subway or submarine or more expensive sub pans to create the perfect Subway bread shape, if desired. I always use my hands to create a long cylindrical shape and am never disappointed with the results
- Find vital wheat gluten from Amazon or from your local market. It's usually there, just ask. It's required for creating amazing homemade bread that's so soft and chewy.
I love Subway and their Italian Herbs and Cheese bread. I am so glad that I came up with a way to enjoy their delicious sandwiches without having to leave the house!
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Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread
Equipment
- Stand Mixer hand mixer will work in a pinch
- dough hook
- kitchen towel or platic wrap coated in cooking spray to prevent sticking
Ingredients
- 2 ⅔ tablespoons active dry yeast
- ⅔ cup warm water
- 2 ⅔ tablespoons sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour -
- 2 ⅔ tablespoons Vital Wheat Gluten
- 1 ⅔ cups warm water
- 4 tablespoons butter cold
- 1 ⅓ tablespoon salt
- 1 cup cheddar shredded (¼ cup per loaf)
- 1 cup jack cheese shredded ¼ cup per loaf
- 4 tablespoons fresh grated parmesan 1 tablespoon parmesan per loaf
- 4 teaspoons oregano leaves or Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon each
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon each
Instructions
- Get out and measure all of your ingredients.
- In a stand mixer mixing bowl, combine yeast, ½ c. warm water, and sugar.
- Stir until well combined and let stand for about 10 minutes until nice and foamy.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine flour and vital wheat gluten.
- Add 1 c. warm water to the yeast mixture (in the stand mixer bowl) and add flour/wheat gluten mixture until combined.
- Attach the bowl to the stand mixer and with the bread hook attachment, mix dough for about 3-4 minutes, adding a little flour if necessary- keeping it a little sticky.
- You want the dough to be sticky enough that it sticks to the bottom of the bowl a little bit, but not the sides.
- After 3-4 minutes, cut up 3 Tbsp. of cold butter into little cubes and add to the mixing bowl and add 1 Tbsp. salt. Mix an additional 5-6 minutes until butter is mixed in to the dough, pull the bread down off the hook if needed throughout the mixing process. Again, you want the dough to be slightly sticky and stretchy.
- Place dough in a large greased bowl and roll around a little to get it greased all around. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for about an hour.
- Remove cover.
- Punch dough down
- Divide into 4 equal pieces or 5 (flour your hands if the dough is too sticky for easier handling).
- Roll out each piece into a 12" long loaf and place on rimmed baking sheet covered in parchment paper..
- The dough should be the same thickness all the way across. Place on a non-stick baking sheet or a bread form pan. Cover and allow to rise 40-60 minutes, until dough doubles in size.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine cheeses, garlic powder, oregano or italian seasoning in a bowl.
- Divide mixture evenly into 4 piles.
- Sprinkle on top of each loaf before baking.
- Bake in oven for 15-25 minutes (check at 15 minutes) until bread is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and lightly run a little melted butter over the top (this will soften it up nicely).
- Allow loaves to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Serve with all your favorite sub sandwich toppings!
Notes
- I usually leave dough that needs to rise inside my cool oven that has not been turned on.
- Cover your dough with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray to prevent it from sticking to your dough.
- Using whole wheat flour will create whole wheat bread.
- Forget cheese topping and you can make plain subway buns.
- Use cheaper subway or submarine or more expensive sub pans to create the perfect Subway bread shape, if desired. I always use my hands to create a long cylindrical shape and am never disappointed with the results.
- Find vital wheat gluten from Amazon or from your local market. It's usually there, just ask. It's required for creating amazing homemade bread that's so soft and chewy.
- You must allow your dough to rest and rise for the time directed or until doubled in size for amazing bread texture and crumb.
- Always preheat your oven for at least 15 minutes before baking so bread cooks evenly and consistently.
- Once baked, allow bread to cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Anthony says
Better than Subway bread. We loved it so much I’m making another double batch for the freezer. Thank you for sharing this recipe. We are all impressed. 😊
Karin and Ken says
I always have some of this bread in my freezer too. I’m glad you’re enjoying this recipe too. All the best. Karin
Doris says
Love this recipe Such a pleasant surprise This bread tastes so good it’s better than any other recipe I’ve ever tried in all my more than 50 years baking. Thanks for this one KD
Karin and Ken says
I’m glad you were surprised. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. Your compliment made my day! All the best. Karin
Samantha says
I can’t believe how amazing these buns are The bread is much better than subway and I am making a double batch tomorrow so I’ll have some in the freezer. Thx for sharing this recipe keep up the good work!
Karin and Ken says
You’re most welcome. I could not agree more! Thank you for your kind words. This recipe is a definite keeper. All the best. Karin
Krissy says
I love this bread! It's so much better than Subway because of this recipe! It's always consistent amd moist. Not all Subways are the same. The bread is not always fresh if you know what I mean!? I make double batches and freeze some. Thanks for this bread recipe. 🙏
Karin and Ken says
You’re most welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe. We love it. Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. All the best. Karin
FRANK says
Exceptional recipe Thank you for sharing This bread is too good for words
Karin and Ken says
You’re most welcome. I’m so glad you enjoy this recipe. Thank you for letting me know. All the best. Karin
Kain says
GREAT RECIPE IVE ALREADY MADE IT SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW I NEVER MAKE LESS THAN A DOUBLE BATCH. FREEZE GREAT. TASTE GREAT. ALL IN ALL BREAD PERFECTION IM SERIOUS KD YOU DID GREAT WITH THIS RECIPE THANK YOU
Karin and Ken says
I always make at least a double batch myself. I’m so glad you’re enjoying this recipe. Take care and enjoy the rest of your day. Karin