Subway Italian Herb and Cheese Bread

Subway’s Italian Herb and Cheese bread is the most ordered bread on their menu, and honestly, it is the only reason some people walk into a Subway. That herb-crusted, cheesy top with the soft interior is what turns an average deli sandwich into something you actually crave. The problem is that a footlong sub costs $9-12 now. This recipe makes six sub-sized rolls for about $3.50 total, and they taste better because they are fresh out of your oven instead of sitting under a heat lamp.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 1 cup warm water (105-110F — test it with your wrist, it should feel like a warm bath)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet, Fleischmann’s or Red Star)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Herb and Cheese Topping

• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese (the shelf-stable Kraft kind actually works best here)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)

Instructions

1. Bloom the yeast. Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Stir gently and wait 5-7 minutes. The mixture should look foamy and smell bready. If nothing happens, your yeast is dead or your water was too hot — start over.
2. Mix the dough. Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until it comes together into a shaggy mass, then turn it out onto a floured surface.
3. Knead for 8 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in a stand mixer with the dough hook. The dough should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. It should pass the windowpane test — stretch a small piece thin enough to see light through it without it tearing.
4. First rise. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 45-60 minutes until doubled in size.
5. Divide and shape. Punch down the dough and divide into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a log about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 3 inches apart.
6. Second rise. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for 20-25 minutes. They should look puffy but not doubled.
7. Add the topping. Preheat oven to 375F. Brush each roll generously with egg wash. Mix together all the dried herbs, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle the herb mixture over the tops, then pile on the parmesan and cheddar cheese.
8. Bake at 375F for 16-18 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before slicing. These are best served warm.

Pro Tips

• Do not skip the egg wash. It is the glue that holds the herbs and cheese to the bread. Without it, your toppings will slide right off.
• For an even more authentic Subway texture, add 1 tablespoon of honey to the dough. Subway’s bread is slightly sweet, and the honey gives you that exact quality.
• These freeze beautifully. Bake, cool completely, wrap individually in plastic wrap and then foil. They keep for 2 months in the freezer. Reheat at 350F for 8-10 minutes straight from frozen.

The Michelin Twist

Here are some ways to dress it up:

• Use fresh rosemary and thyme instead of dried herbs: Strip the leaves from fresh sprigs, chop finely, and press them into the dough surface before the cheese. The aroma alone is worth the upgrade.
• Swap the cheddar for Gruyere and aged Asiago: These cheeses bring a nuttier, more complex flavor that melts into golden, lacy edges on the bread.
• Brush the finished bread with garlic-herb compound butter: Mix softened butter with roasted garlic, fresh parsley, and a pinch of flaky Maldon salt. Brush it on hot out of the oven for a glossy, restaurant-quality finish.

Cost Breakdown

Ingredient	Amount	Cost
All-purpose flour	3 cups	$0.45
Active dry yeast	1 packet	$0.50
Olive oil	2 tbsp	$0.20
Parmesan cheese	1/2 cup	$0.85
Cheddar cheese	1/2 cup	$0.60
Dried herbs/spices	various	$0.40
Egg	1	$0.25
Sugar	1 tbsp	$0.03
Total		$3.28

Compare to $9.00+ per footlong at Subway (6 rolls = $54.00+) — save 94%

Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 310
• Protein: 12g
• Fat: 9g
• Carbs: 45g