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.
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
More Subway Copycat Recipes
Once the bread is fresh from the oven, these are the builds worth loading it with:
- Subway Italian BMT — Genoa salami, pepperoni, and Black Forest ham dressed with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano. The classic triple-meat cold cut combination.
- Copycat Subway Meatball Marinara Sub — slow-simmered beef-pork meatballs in marinara, toasted in a fresh roll. The payoff for baking the bread from scratch is obvious here.
- Subway Chipotle Southwest Sauce — the smoky, creamy two-minute sauce that makes every Subway sandwich better. Pantry staples, $1.50 worth of ingredients.
See all Subway copycat recipes →
