Tasty Italian Herb Cheese Bread Recipe

Italian Herb Cheese Bread at Subway is just… perfection, right? Warm, chewy, sesame-seeded magic with that tang of herbs. But running out to buy a footlong every time the craving hits? Not realistic. If you’re as obsessed as me and want that smell filling your kitchen, you’re probably wondering how to make it at home. Been there! Honestly, nailing that flavor took a few tries—at first my dough was more brick than bread. If homemade bread has stumped you too, trust me. You can pull this off (especially if you love classic bread recipes like this quick & easy crusty Italian bread recipe or dream of bacon mac-n-cheese burger wraps). Let’s finally make Italian Herb Cheese Bread just how you want it.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Let’s keep this honest—most days, I dig through the pantry and hope I have what’s needed. For Italian Herb Cheese Bread, you’ll need flour (I use bread flour for that stretch, but all-purpose works), instant yeast, sugar, salt, milk, and olive oil. Warm water helps the yeast bloom, but if you nuke it too hot, bye-bye rise. Been there, done that.

The Italian herbs are—surprise—anything you like. I mix oregano, basil, parsley, and a little garlic powder. If you only have Italian seasoning in the bottle, go for it. Cheese is all about flavor, right? Shredded mozzarella gives classic melt, but I toss in a hit of parmesan or even cheddar if that’s what’s around. You just want something that browns and has some tang.

Now, if you gotta go dairy-free, swap out the milk for oat or soy and pick a non-dairy cheese blend. Oil can be any neutral thing you have (canola, avocado, you name it). My sister used vegan “cheese” once—tasted totally okay (not five-star, but didn’t offend anyone). Honestly, this bread is pretty forgiving.

Instructions, FAQs and Other Tips

Okay, don’t let rising dough psyche you out. Start by mixing warm water, sugar, and yeast. Give it five-ish minutes. It should foam—if not, your yeast is probably dead. Been there. Mix in milk, oil, and seasonings. Dump in flour gradually. You want the dough to be a ’lil sticky but mostly pulling from the side of the bowl.

Knead that dough on a lightly floured surface for, I dunno, ten minutes. If your arms hurt, you’re doing it right. Let it rest in a greased bowl, covered, for at least an hour. It should double (unless your kitchen is freezing, then give it extra time).

After that, shape into logs (Subway style, if you wanna be authentic) and set them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle on cheese and herbs—don’t skimp here. Bake at 375°F until golden, roughly 20-22 minutes. I tap them for that hollow sound. Let cool just a touch, or eat it piping and regret burning your tongue. Your call.

Oh, and if you love baking? Check out this best artisan bread simple home or get wild with chocolate chip zucchini bread recipe. Dough life, you know?

“This bread is a dead ringer for Subway’s! My family asks for it every week, so it’s officially part of our rotation. Super easy, way cheaper, and honestly tastes fresher. Game-changer for our homemade sandwiches.”
– Olivia, NY

Zero Waste Tips and Storage

Wasting bread? The horror. There’s definitely ways to keep Italian Herb Cheese Bread fresh and tasty. First, store it in a bread bag or wrapped in a kitchen towel, not airtight plastic. This stops it from getting hard or sweaty-mushy.

If you make too much (hey, who hasn’t), slice and freeze whatever you won’t eat in three days. Wrap the slices with parchment in between to grab what you need without defrosting all of it. Toast straight from frozen and whoa—still amazing.

Crust getting stale? Guess what—make easy croutons for soup or dice and toss in a little oil/herbs, bake till crispy. Or… use the crumbs for topping pasta. Leftover bread in my house never, ever survives a week, let’s just say.

How to Make Subway Bread

People always ask—how’s this different from just “regular bread?” It’s pretty much in the flavor kicks. The Italian Herb Cheese Bread from Subway is all about layers: cheese inside and on top, plus herbs you can actually see.

Shape the dough in those classic sub loaves—long and a little flat, not round like a boule. For the crust, brush tops lightly with olive oil before adding a big heap of shredded cheese and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. This makes that golden, aromatic, Subway-ish finish.

If you’ve got a baking stone or an oven with steam, use it for extra crunch and chew. I sometimes toss in a tiny pan of hot water on the bottom rack for steam—don’t stress if you skip it. Honestly, just get enough cheese on top, and everyone’s happy.

Serving Suggestions

Eating Italian Herb Cheese Bread is best when slightly warm (I know, obvious!). But, options! Here’s my favorite ways:

• Slice it lengthwise and make the world’s best home sandwich (more cheese = more bliss).
• Toast pieces and serve with tomato soup or your favorite stews—soak up that goodness.
• Cube the bread and use for next-level croutons in a salad (seriously, bye-bye boring salad).
• Sidekick to pasta night—bowls get wiped clean, trust me.

WANT MORE SUBWAY RECIPES?

If you’re addicted to recreating fast food at home, oh boy, you’re not alone here. There are actually loads of Subway copycats floating around online—each with a little twist. I’ll say, this Italian Herb Cheese Bread recipe is my forever favorite, but hey, some days I mix it up (Chicago-style anything, please).

More bready inspiration? Sneak a peek at my quick & easy crusty Italian bread recipe, or if you want to go cheesy in another way, check that bacon mac-n-cheese burger wrap recipe out. And if you somehow have space after, let’s talk about dessert…

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Love this recipe? Don’t lose it—pin it to your favorite board on Pinterest now and have it ready when hunger hits! 📌😋

Common Questions

Q: Can I knead the dough in a mixer instead of by hand?
A: Heck yes! I do it all the time. It’s just less of an arm workout.

Q: What’s the best cheese for that classic flavor?
A: Mozzarella and parmesan combo wins every time. If you want gooey, throw in cheddar.

Q: Can I make this into rolls instead of loaves?
A: Totally! Just shape smaller and trim your bake time by a few minutes.

Q: How do you know when it’s baked through?
A: Tap it—should sound hollow. Or, if you’re like my cousin, obsessively poke at it till you’re convinced.

Q: Can I freeze leftover Italian Herb Cheese Bread?
A: Yup, slices freeze great. Toast or microwave to revive that fresh-baked taste.

Seriously, Just Bake the Bread Already

There you go—everything you actually need for Italian Herb Cheese Bread at home. Tastes crazy fresh, makes your house smell like a European bakery, and you’ll never spend six bucks for a sad sandwich again. Don’t overthink it. Have fun, toss in your favorite herbs, and let your kitchen get a little messy. Oh, if you want to get even deeper, this Subway Bread Recipe (Italian Herb and Cheese Copycat) is a solid extra read before baking. Also—bread fans will love scrolling through easy moist zucchini bread recipe or go artisan with best artisan bread simple home. Go make some magic.

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