Name: Italian Herb And Cheese Subway Copycat
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 1 Cup Warm Water (236 grams); 2 ¼ Teaspoons Yeast (one packet or 7 grams); 1 Teaspoon Sugar; 3 Cups All-Purpose Flour (360 grams); 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil (60 mL); 1 ½ Teaspoon Salt; 45 grams Grated Parmesan Cheese; 2 Teaspoons Italian Seasoning; ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder

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Once you make this Italian Herb and Cheese bread Subway recipe at home, you’ll be eating homemade subs every week! It is soft and fluffy, filling the house with an irresistible smell.

two freshly baked Italian herb and cheese bread

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Exquisite taste! Seriously tastes so yummy you’ll be making subs every day of the week.
Quick, same-day recipe. No waiting overnight for bread to ferment (pointing fingers at you, sourdough).
Simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store.
Easy! No special equipment is needed.
Saves you MONEY. Cheaper than Subway.

Ingredients for Italian herb and cheese bread on a table.

Key Ingredients

Flour: All-purpose flour or bread flour. I use all-purpose.
Warm Water: Microwave one cup of warm water for a minute. Make sure it is warm, roughly around 114°F (45°C). Too cold and the yeast won’t rise. Too hot and the yeast will die. If you don’t have a thermometer, test the temperature with a finger. The general rule is if it’s too hot for your hand, it is too hot for the yeast.
Yeast: I use active dry yeast. Instant yeast will also work.
Olive Oil: The olive oil taste is perfect with the herbs and cheese.
Salt: Enhances flavor. No, this bread isn’t salty and you won’t even notice the salt. However, if you forget to add salt, you will definitely know.
Parmesan Cheese: Buy Italian parmesan Reggiano and grate it at home.
Italian Seasoning: Buy this at the store or make it yourself! Mix equal parts of oregano, parsley, rosemary, and basil.
Garlic Powder: Delicious! Would the bread be Italian if there was no garlic?!

A baguette surrounded by lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, ham, and cheese.

Ingredient Substitutions

Flour: All-purpose flour or bread flour. I use all-purpose.
Yeast: I use active dry yeast. Instant yeast will also work.
Olive Oil: Any type of neutral oil such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. You can also use a little butter or ghee.
Parmesan Cheese: Any type of grated cheese will work. Some good substitutes are pecorino romano, mozzarella cheese, and Monterey jack cheese. Sharp cheddar cheese is also a great substitute.
Italian Seasoning: Fresh herbs! They will be more flavorful. You can omit and you’ll get delicious parmesan bread.
Garlic Powder: Use fresh minced garlic or omit it completely.

Step By Step Subway Bread Recipe Instructions

combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast in the stand mixer bowl (or large mixing bowl). Let sit for five minutes until the yeast is foamy.

Close up of the dough — Dough should be sticky but still manageable.

Add the all-purpose flour, olive oil, and salt. With the dough hook attachment, knead on low speed for five to ten minutes. The dough should be a little sticky but still manageable. If it is too sticky, add a little extra flour one tablespoon at a time, and keep kneading on low for another five minutes.

First Rise: Oil a medium bowl or container and place the bread dough in it. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes until doubled in size.

Please watch the recipe video to learn how to shape correctly!

Shaping: Place the dough on a floured work surface. Divide dough into two dough balls and let rest covered for five minutes (this will make it easier to shape into logs). Afterward, shape each dough ball into a 12″ baguette log. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Italian Herbs and Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the seasoning on top of each loaf.

The dough after it has finished its second rise. I sprinkled the cheese and seasoning on top.

Preheat and Second Rise: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Set the oven rack in the middle of the oven. Cover the baguette logs and let rise for 30 minutes.

Score: Uncover the baguettes, they should have risen. With a bread lame, a sharp knife, or scissors, score the top of each baguette.

Bake: Bake on the center rack for 20-25 minutes or until done and golden brown on the outside. Bread is done baking when the internal temp reaches 195°F (90°C).

Tips To Make The Perfect Subway Bread

Kneading By Hand: You can knead this recipe by hand! It will be sticky in the beginning. However, it should come together after five to ten minutes.
Let Dough Rise Fully Before Moving Onto The Next Step: Ah, this is a mistake that everyone makes at least once. Be patient! Do not move on to the next step if your dough isn’t done proofing. Let it rise and double first, then move on.
Score The Tops Before Baking: This will allow the bread to open up while it is baking, which leads to a better crumb! Score it with a bread lame. Or, you can use a knife or kitchen shears.

Half a loaf of sandwich bread and vegetables and ham.

Sandwich and Sub Ideas

Italian Cold Sub: If this Italian bread could legally get married, it would marry all the ingredients for an Italian sub. Try my go-to recipe for Jersey Mike’s Original Italian.
Roast Beef and Provolone Cheese:
Add Oil and Vinegar: My oil and vinegar recipe takes subs to the NEXT LEVEL. Seriously! It tastes as if it came from the best sub-shop in town.
Add Your Favorite Sandwich Toppings: Who am I to limit you on what you can put on this bread? Add whichever toppings your heart desires!

How To Store Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread

You can store this bread at room temperature for up to three days. Since cheese is dairy, I would not store this on the counter for longer than three days. You can place it in a breadbox, or a ziplock bag, or wrap it in plastic wrap. Airtight containers will ensure that it does not turn stale too quickly.

If you need to store it for longer, you can put it in the fridge or freezer. It will last in the fridge for up to seven days and in the freezer for up to three months!

As a home baker, I freeze almost everything I bake. After all, it’s only me and my husband living here and we can’t possibly eat everything I make! I bake a lot haha!