Why You’ll Love This Italian Herb And Cheese Bread
Craving that famous Italian Herb And Cheese Bread from Subway? This homemade version captures the exact soft, fluffy texture and savory flavor you love, right in your kitchen. As a busy parent or baking enthusiast, you’ll appreciate how this subway bread recipe with italian herbs and cheese flavor comes together in about 1 hour and 35 minutes total, including 20 minutes prep, 1 hour rising, and 15-18 minutes baking. It yields 8 footlong sandwich rolls, perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
One big reason folks rave about this Italian herb bread is its ease of preparation. You just whisk together simple pantry staples, knead briefly, shape into logs, and bake. No fancy equipment needed beyond a stand mixer for the 6-minute knead on low speed if you have one. It’s ideal for students or working professionals who want fresh bread without the hassle of all-day recipes.
Health Benefits Packed In
This cheese bread isn’t just tasty; it brings nutritional perks too. Per footlong serving, you get 567 calories, 12g fat (1g saturated, 3g polyunsaturated, 7g monounsaturated), 1g trans fat, 41mg cholesterol, 908mg sodium, 199mg potassium, 99g carbohydrates, 4g fiber, 7g sugar, and 15g protein. Plus, 80 IU vitamin A, 1mg vitamin C, 49mg calcium, and 6mg iron. The herbs like oregano and parsley offer antioxidants, while cheese provides calcium for bone health. It’s a balanced treat for diet-conscious eaters.
| Nutrient | Amount per Footlong Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 567 |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 41mg |
| Sodium | 908mg |
| Potassium | 199mg |
| Carbohydrates | 99g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Protein | 15g |
| Vitamin A | 80 IU |
| Vitamin C | 1mg |
| Calcium | 49mg |
| Iron | 6mg |
Its versatility shines for any lifestyle. Party hosts can serve it with dips, travelers pack it for sandwiches, and seniors enjoy softer versions. Customize for newlyweds’ date nights or food enthusiasts’ experiments.
What really hooks you is the distinctive flavor. The herb blend of oregano, garlic powder, parsley, and parmesan creates that Mediterranean aroma, topped with melty Colby and Monterey Jack cheese. I first made this for a family gathering, and it vanished fast kids begged for seconds on their subs.
This Italian herb and cheese bread recipe turns ordinary sandwiches into gourmet delights with its crispy herb crust and gooey cheese top.
For more sandwich ideas, check our homemade sandwich recipes.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Italian Herb And Cheese Bread
- Health Benefits Packed In
- Essential Ingredients for Italian Herb And Cheese Bread
- Main Ingredients for the Dough
- Italian Herb Seasoning Blend
- For Topping
- How to Prepare the Perfect Italian Herb And Cheese Bread: Step-by-Step Guide
- Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Italian Herb And Cheese Bread
- Mastering Italian Herb And Cheese Bread: Advanced Tips and Variations
- How to Store Italian Herb And Cheese Bread: Best Practices
- FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Herb And Cheese Bread
- What ingredients do I need to make Italian Herb and Cheese Bread at home?
- How can I make Italian Herb and Cheese Bread soft and flavorful?
- What is the best way to store leftover Italian Herb and Cheese Bread?
- Can I make Italian Herb and Cheese Bread without eggs?
- How much dough do I need to make a 12-inch Italian Herb and Cheese Bread loaf?
- Italian Herb And Cheese Bread
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Last Step:
- Notes
- Nutrition
- Did you make this recipe?
Essential Ingredients for Italian Herb And Cheese Bread
Gathering the right ingredients makes all the difference in nailing this italian herb and cheese bread recipe. This list covers everything for the dough, seasoning blend, and topping. You’ll need basic items most home cooks have, plus a few for that signature Subway taste.
Main Ingredients for the Dough
- 3 cups of warm water
- 4 tablespoons of dry active yeast
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup of neutral-flavored oil (such as soybean, canola, or vegetable oil)
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 2 eggs
- Optionally, 1/3 cup of instant mashed potato flakes for added fluffiness
- 7 1/2 cups of bread flour
Italian Herb Seasoning Blend
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
For Topping
- Shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese
These precise measurements ensure perfect results. Bread flour gives structure, plenty of yeast creates airiness, and neutral oils like canola or avocado keep it light. The potato flakes, though optional, boost fluffiness a trick I swear by for bakery-style rolls. For dietary tweaks, see our baking substitutions guide.
Pro tip: Use fresh yeast for best rise. This combo yields soft interiors with herb-crusted exteriors that scream Italian herb bread perfection.
How to Prepare the Perfect Italian Herb And Cheese Bread: Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to bake? This step-by-step for Italian Herb And Cheese Bread is straightforward, even for beginners. Follow along, and you’ll have footlong rolls ready for your favorite fillings.
- Activate the Yeast: Whisk 4 tablespoons dry active yeast into 3 cups warm water. Let it sit a moment, then stir in 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup neutral oil, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 eggs, and optional 1/3 cup instant mashed potato flakes.
- Mix the Dough: Gradually add 7 1/2 cups bread flour. Knead on low speed for 6 minutes until smooth. If by hand, knead 8-10 minutes.
- Rest the Dough: Let it rest 10 minutes covered.
- Shape the Rolls: Transfer to floured surface. Divide into 4 equal portions, then cut each in half for 8 pieces (about 10 ounces each). Roll each into a 12-inch log.
- Coat and Rise: Spray logs with water to help toppings stick. Coat generously with herb blend (1 tbsp oregano, 2 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp dried parsley, 2 tbsp parmesan). Place on baking sheet or silicone mat. Score tops with 3-4 slashes. Let rise in warm spot until tripled, up to 1 hour.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Sprinkle shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese on top. Bake 15-18 minutes until golden. Cool on sheet before removing.
That’s it! Total time flies by. Use plenty of yeast for airy bread, and scoring before rising improves texture. Once you mix the dough, just give it a quick rest before shaping your rolls into perfect footlongs it’s easier than you think and makes all the difference in getting that soft, fluffy texture everyone loves.
I baked these for a picnic, and they held up great for turkey clubs. Adjust rising spot if your kitchen’s chilly near the oven works wonders.
Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Italian Herb And Cheese Bread
This recipe adapts well for different needs. While it includes eggs and cheese, simple swaps keep the flavor intact.
Egg-Free Option: Yes, skip eggs using unsweetened applesauce, mashed banana, or egg replacer (equal amount). Texture may vary slightly, but herbs and cheese shine.
Vegan Twists: Use plant-based egg replacer and vegan cheese shreds for Colby/Jack. Swap parmesan in blend for nutritional yeast.
Other Mods: For gluten-free, try a bread flour blend (test rise). Add protein with chickpea flour mix. Boost veggies with sun-dried tomatoes or roasted garlic in dough. Spice it with red pepper flakes.
- Replace cheese with nutritional yeast for dairy-free.
- Fresh rosemary or sage for herb swap.
These keep your Italian herb bread delicious for busy parents or diet-focused friends. Experiment safely start small.
Mastering Italian Herb And Cheese Bread: Advanced Tips and Variations
Take your cheese bread up a notch with these pro moves. Using plenty of yeast ensures airy results. Spray dough with water so herb blend sticks perfectly.
- Texture Secrets: Score before rising for better expansion. Potato flakes add fluff don’t skip if you love pillow-soft rolls.
- Oil Choice: Neutral like canola or avocado prevents off-flavors.
- Size Tip: 10 ounces per piece for ideal 12-inch loaves.
- Variations: Mix in olives or onions. Try smoked paprika for smokiness.
Folding dough during rest builds gluten for chewy crumb my go-to for bakery quality.
Make-ahead: Shape and fridge overnight for deeper taste. Perfect for party hosts.
How to Store Italian Herb And Cheese Bread: Best Practices
Fresh is best, but storage keeps it great. Cool completely first.
- Room Temp: Wrap in plastic or bag for 2 days.
- Fridge: Airtight container up to 3 days; foil works too.
- Freeze: Whole or sliced in freezer bags up to 3 months (6 months deep-frozen). Thaw overnight, reheat at 350°F 5-8 minutes or toast.
Meal prep pros: Portion for weeks. Revives crispy crust and soft inside easily.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Herb And Cheese Bread
What ingredients do I need to make Italian Herb and Cheese Bread at home?
To make Italian Herb and Cheese Bread, you will need bread flour, warm water, instant dry yeast, sugar, neutral-flavored oil (such as canola or avocado), salt, eggs, a blend of dried Italian herbs (like oregano, basil, and rosemary), and shredded cheese such as Parmesan and Colby Monterey Jack. These ingredients combine to create a flavorful dough that’s coated with herbs and topped with cheese before baking.
How can I make Italian Herb and Cheese Bread soft and flavorful?
To achieve soft, flavorful Italian Herb and Cheese Bread, proof the yeast properly by mixing it with warm water and sugar first. Use eggs in the dough for richness, and add oil for moisture. After kneading, let the dough rise until it triples in size for a light texture. Coat the shaped dough with an Italian herb blend and top generously with cheese before baking at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes.
What is the best way to store leftover Italian Herb and Cheese Bread?
Store leftover Italian Herb and Cheese Bread at room temperature wrapped in plastic wrap or a sealed bag for up to two days. For longer storage, freeze the bread once fully cooled by wrapping it tightly in freezer-safe bags. It can be frozen for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then warm it in the oven to refresh its texture.
Can I make Italian Herb and Cheese Bread without eggs?
Yes, you can make Italian Herb and Cheese Bread without eggs to accommodate dietary preferences or allergies. Substitute eggs with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce, mashed banana, or a commercial egg replacer. This may slightly alter the bread’s texture and rise, but the bread will still be flavorful thanks to the herbs and cheese topping.
How much dough do I need to make a 12-inch Italian Herb and Cheese Bread loaf?
For a 12-inch loaf of Italian Herb and Cheese Bread, use approximately 10 ounces (about 280 grams) of dough. This amount allows the bread to rise properly and achieve the traditional size and shape typical of sandwich loaves. Weighing your dough before shaping helps maintain consistent bread size.
Italian Herb And Cheese Bread
🍕 Homemade Italian herb and cheese bread that brings the authentic Subway experience right to your kitchen with perfect texture and flavor
🌿 Fresh-baked sandwich rolls infused with aromatic herbs and melted cheese that elevate any meal from ordinary to extraordinary
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 footlong sandwich rolls
Ingredients
– 3 cups warm water
– 4 tablespoons dry active yeast
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/3 cup neutral-flavored oil (such as soybean, canola, or vegetable oil)
– 1 tablespoon salt
– 2 eggs
– 1/3 cup instant mashed potato flakes for added fluffiness
– 7 1/2 cups bread flour
– 1 tablespoon oregano
– 2 tablespoons garlic powder
– 1 tablespoon dried parsley
– 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
– Shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
1-Activate the Yeast: Whisk 4 tablespoons dry active yeast into 3 cups warm water. Let it sit a moment, then stir in 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup neutral oil, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 eggs, and optional 1/3 cup instant mashed potato flakes.
2-Mix the Dough: Gradually add 7 1/2 cups bread flour. Knead on low speed for 6 minutes until smooth. If by hand, knead 8-10 minutes.
3-Rest the Dough: Let it rest 10 minutes covered.
4-Shape the Rolls: Transfer to floured surface. Divide into 4 equal portions, then cut each in half for 8 pieces (about 10 ounces each). Roll each into a 12-inch log.
5-Coat and Rise: Spray logs with water to help toppings stick. Coat generously with herb blend (1 tbsp oregano, 2 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp dried parsley, 2 tbsp parmesan). Place on baking sheet or silicone mat. Score tops with 3-4 slashes. Let rise in warm spot until tripled, up to 1 hour.
6-Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Sprinkle shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese on top. Bake 15-18 minutes until golden. Cool on sheet before removing.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🍞 Use plenty of yeast for airy bread – the 4 tablespoons ensure the characteristic light, fluffy texture Subway bread is known for
💧 Spray dough with water before applying herb blend to help toppings stick and create that signature crusty exterior
⏰ Score the dough before rising, not after, for better texture development and those classic Subway bread markings
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Rising time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 footlong roll
- Calories: 567
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 908mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 99g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 41mg
