Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread (Subway Copycat Recipe) Recipe

Introduction

This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread is a flavorful, soft loaf perfect for sandwiches or as a savory snack. Inspired by Subway’s signature bread, it combines aromatic herbs with melted cheeses for a delicious homemade treat.

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon instant yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 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

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, instant yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for a few minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and blooms.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour and salt.
3. Step 3: Add the yeast mixture and vegetable oil to the flour mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form.
4. Step 4: Knead the dough on a floured surface for at least 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Step 5: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. Step 6: Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a long roll, cover again, and let rise until doubled in size.
7. Step 7: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. Step 8: Lightly brush the tops of the rolls with oil.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle each roll with Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and shredded Colby Jack cheese.
10. Step 10: Bake the rolls for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
11. Step 11: Slice the bread and fill with your favorite sandwich ingredients to enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• For a crispier crust, bake the bread on a preheated baking stone or steel.
• Substitute Colby Jack with mozzarella or cheddar for different cheese flavors.
• Add a teaspoon of dried rosemary or thyme to enhance the herb aroma.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread for up to 1 month, then thaw or toast before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, you can substitute active dry yeast, but you’ll need to proof it in warm water for about 5–10 minutes until bubbly before mixing with other ingredients.

How do I keep the bread soft after baking?

Brush the rolls with a little melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven to help retain moisture and keep the crust soft.

Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread (Subway Copycat Recipe) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 101 reviews

This Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread recipe is a delicious copycat of Subway’s famous bread, featuring a soft texture infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a blend of Parmesan and Colby Jack cheeses. Perfect for sandwiches or as a flavorful side, this homemade bread combines fresh yeast dough with aromatic herbs and cheeses baked to golden perfection.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 long rolls 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon instant yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Topping Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: Warm the water slightly (not hot) and add the instant yeast along with the sugar. Let it bloom for a few minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt thoroughly.
3. Combine dough ingredients: Add the yeast mixture and vegetable oil to the flour and salt mixture. Stir well to begin forming the dough.
4. Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for at least 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
6. Shape the rolls: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into long loaf shapes, cover them, and allow them to rise again until doubled in size.
7. Preheat oven: Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) in preparation for baking.
8. Prepare for baking: Brush the tops of each shaped loaf lightly with oil to promote browning and flavor.
9. Add toppings: Sprinkle each loaf evenly with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and shredded Colby Jack cheese.
10. Bake the bread: Place the rolls on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and slightly toasted.
11. Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and filling with your favorite sandwich ingredients.

Notes

• Make sure the water is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
• Kneading the dough thoroughly is key to developing gluten for a soft texture.
• Allowing the dough to rise twice ensures a light and airy bread.
• You can substitute the Colby Jack cheese with mozzarella or cheddar for variation.
• For a crispier crust, bake a small pan of water in the oven to create steam while baking.
• Store leftover bread in an airtight container or freeze for longer preservation.

Keywords: Italian herbs bread, cheese bread, Subway copycat bread, garlic cheese bread, homemade sandwich rolls