Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread (Subway Copycat Recipe) Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt thoroughly.
- Combine dough ingredients: Add the yeast mixture and vegetable oil to the flour and salt mixture. Stir well to begin forming the dough.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for at least 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 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.
- 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.
- Preheat oven: Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) in preparation for baking.
- Prepare for baking: Brush the tops of each shaped loaf lightly with oil to promote browning and flavor.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle each loaf evenly with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and shredded Colby Jack cheese.
- 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.
- 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
