Copycat Subway Italian Herb & Cheese Bread

Whenever I go to Subway, I almost always choose the Italian Herb & Cheese bread for my sub. It’s soft, slightly chewy, with that golden cheesy top and a burst of herby flavor in every bite. The first time I attempted making it at home, I thought it would be complicated, but I quickly realized it’s just a good base dough with a flavorful topping. My mistake was being a little stingy with the cheese the first time—I learned that more is definitely better here!

Now, I’ve fine-tuned this recipe to give you the same delicious texture and flavor of Subway’s bread, but fresh from your own oven. The smell while it bakes? Absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for brushing)
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the topping:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or a mozzarella-cheddar blend)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Substitutions:

• Dairy-free: Use vegan cheese shreds.
• Gluten-free: Replace with a gluten-free flour blend designed for yeast breads.
• Healthier option: Use half whole-wheat flour and half all-purpose.
• Cheese swap: Try provolone, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack for a fun twist.

Instructions / Method

1. Activate yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and olive oil. Add in the yeast mixture and stir until it forms a rough dough.
3. Knead: Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled.
5. Shape the loaves: Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 equal pieces. Roll each into a 12-inch log and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Second rise: Cover loosely and let rise for another 30 minutes until slightly puffy.
7. Prepare topping: In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, parsley, paprika, and Parmesan.
8. Add topping: Brush the risen loaves with olive oil, sprinkle the herb mixture generously, and cover with shredded mozzarella.
9. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
10. Cool & serve: Allow to cool slightly before slicing and using as your perfect sandwich bread.

Tips & Mistakes to Avoid:

• Don’t skimp on the topping—it’s what makes this bread truly “Subway style.”
• If your dough feels sticky, add flour gradually (but avoid adding too much or it’ll turn dense).
• For an extra cheesy crust, sprinkle more mozzarella in the last 5 minutes of baking.

Preparation & Cooking Time

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Rise time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook time: 25 minutes
• Total time: ~2 hours 15 minutes
• Servings: 2 loaves (about 4–6 sandwiches each)

Serving Suggestions

• Use it to build your favorite homemade sub—fill with deli meats, grilled chicken, or roasted veggies.
• Slice into breadsticks and serve with marinara sauce.
• Pair with soup or salad for a cozy meal.

Storage & Reheating:

• Store in an airtight bag at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days.
• Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 5–7 minutes.
• Freeze baked loaves wrapped tightly in foil for up to 2 months.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough after the first rise for up to 24 hours. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.

What kind of cheese does Subway use?

They typically use mozzarella or a mozzarella-cheddar blend. At home, you can mix cheeses for even more flavor.

Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose?

Absolutely! Bread flour gives a slightly chewier texture, closer to the Subway version.

How do I make the bread softer?

Brush with olive oil or melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven and cover loosely with foil while cooling.

Can I make mini loaves or rolls?

Yes! Divide the dough into smaller portions and reduce the baking time to approximately 15 minutes for the rolls.

Is it possible to make this in a bread machine?

Yes, just use the dough cycle, then shape, rise, and bake as directed.

A Note from My Table to Yours

Every time I bake this Copycat Subway Italian Herb & Cheese Bread, my kitchen smells like a sandwich shop in the best way possible. The cheesy, herby crust is truly irresistible, and the bread itself is soft enough to hold any filling without falling apart. Once you try it fresh and warm from your oven, you’ll see why it’s one of my most requested recipes at home.

So grab your favorite sandwich fixings, bake a batch of this bread, and enjoy a little taste of Subway right from your own kitchen. Trust me—you’ll never look at store-bought bread the same way again.

Copycat Subway Italian Herb & Cheese Bread

This homemade version of Subway’s Italian Herb & Cheese Bread is soft, chewy, and topped with a golden, cheesy herb crust. It’s perfect for sandwiches, breadsticks, or even pairing with soup. The best part? It’s simpler to make than you think—and your kitchen will smell like a Subway shop while it bakes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Rise Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings 4 (4–6 sandwiches each)

Ingredients

  

• For the Dough:
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast 1 packet
• 1 cup warm water 110°F
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
• 2 tbsp olive oil plus extra for brushing
• 1 tsp salt
• For the Topping:
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or mozzarella-cheddar blend
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• Substitutions
• Dairy-Free: Use vegan cheese shreds.
• Gluten-Free: Swap with a gluten-free flour blend designed for yeast breads.
• Healthier Option: Use half whole-wheat flour and half all-purpose.
• Cheese Swap: Try provolone Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.

See also  Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping – Southern Discourse Style

Instructions

 

• Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
• Make Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and olive oil. Add yeast mixture and stir into a rough dough.
• Knead: Transfer to a floured surface and knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• First Rise: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise ~1 hour, until doubled.
• Shape: Punch down dough, divide into 2 equal pieces, and roll each into a 12-inch log. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Second Rise: Cover loosely and let rise 30 minutes until slightly puffy.
• Prepare Topping: Mix garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, parsley, paprika, and Parmesan in a bowl.
• Top Bread: Brush loaves with olive oil, sprinkle herb mixture, then cover with mozzarella.
• Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake 20–25 minutes until golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
• Cool & Serve: Let cool slightly before slicing for sandwiches.

Notes

Don’t skimp on the topping—it’s what makes it “Subway style.”

If dough feels sticky, add flour gradually (avoid too much or it’ll be dense).

For extra cheesy crust, sprinkle more mozzarella in the last 5 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Build your favorite sub with deli meats, grilled chicken, or roasted veggies.

Slice into breadsticks and dip in marinara.

Serve alongside soup or salad for a cozy meal.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight bag at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5.

Reheat at 325°F for 5–7 minutes.

Freeze baked loaves wrapped in foil up to 2 months.