Subway Italian Herb and Cheese Bread (Copycat Recipe)
Make Subway's famous Italian Herb and Cheese bread at home with simple ingredients. Soft, fluffy footlong sub rolls with herbs and melted cheese on top - perfect for sandwiches!
Ingredients
Bread Dough
- 3 cups warm water around 110°F
- 4 Tbsp dry active yeast fresh yeast works best
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup oil canola or vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
- 1/3 cup instant mashed potato flakes optional but recommended
- 7 1/2 cups bread flour
Italian Herb Topping
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 2 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp dried parsley
- 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine yeast and warm water (around 110°F). Whisk together.
- Add sugar, oil, salt, and eggs to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
- Add instant mashed potato flakes (if using) and mix.
- Add all bread flour at once. Attach dough hook and knead on low speed for 6 minutes. Dough should pull away from the bowl sides. Add 1-2 tablespoons extra flour if too sticky.
- Turn off mixer and let dough rest in the bowl for 10 minutes.
Shape the Bread
- Turn dough out onto a floured counter. Divide into 4 equal chunks, then cut each chunk in half to make 8 pieces (about 10 ounces each).
- Pat each piece into a rough rectangle, then roll into a 12-inch log.
Add Topping and Rise
- Mix oregano, garlic powder, parsley, and parmesan cheese in a shallow dish.
- Lightly spray each dough log with water using a spray bottle.
- Roll each wet log through the herb blend to coat the top generously.
- Place shaped loaves on silicone sub roll mats or parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Using a sharp knife or bread lame, make 3-4 diagonal slashes across each loaf top.
- Cover loaves loosely and let rise in a warm spot until tripled in size, about 1 hour.
Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Right before baking, sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese generously over each loaf.
- Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and cheese is melted. Internal temperature should reach 190-200°F.
- Let cool in molds for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Notes
Storage: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in a 350°F oven.
Tips: Check yeast expiration date for best results. Don't skip the water spray - it helps toppings stick. Score loaves before the final rise to prevent deflation. Fresh yeast makes a big difference in texture.
Variations: Skip topping for plain white sub rolls. Replace half the bread flour with whole wheat for a healthier version. Double garlic powder for extra flavor. Use sesame seeds with egg wash instead of herb topping.