Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Subway Copycat Recipe

There’s just something magical about that warm, cheesy, impossibly fluffy loaf you get at your favorite sandwich shop. Now, with this Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Subway Copycat recipe, you can capture all that savory, bakery-fresh goodness from your own oven. It’s perfect for sandwiches, dipping, or snacking – and trust me, your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing!

Ingredients You’ll Need

It’s amazing how a short ingredient list can create something so special. Each ingredient in this Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Subway Copycat has a role: soft crumb, tangy flavor, cheesy topping, or that signature herby bite!

• All Purpose Flour: The base of our bread, providing structure and that classic soft-and-chewy bite.
• Diastatic Malt Powder: Not just for pros! It boosts rise and gives your loaves a gentle sweetness and gorgeous golden color.
• Active Yeast: A must-have for lift and fluffiness, ensuring your bread is anything but dense.
• Water (lukewarm): Just warm enough to kickstart the yeast without killing it. It’s key for hydration and flavor development.
• Butter: Melts right into the dough for a tender crumb and that signature richness you expect from a special loaf.
• White Granulated Sugar: A little sweetness enhances the flavor and helps feed the yeast along the way.
• Kosher Salt: Rounds out the flavors and strengthens the dough for proper rise and structure.
• Monterey Jack Cheese (shredded): Adds creamy, melty magic to the exterior, just like your favorite deli sandwich bread.
• Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated): For that nutty, savory pop in every bite. Fresh is best!
• Italian Seasoning: The secret to that irresistible Subway aroma; a mix of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.
• Garlic Powder: Dials up the flavor and brings in those garlicky, toasty notes.
• Butter (melted, for topping): Helps the topping stick and gives the crust that golden, shiny finish.

Variations

One of the best things about this Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Subway Copycat is how easily it adapts to your cravings or pantry! You can tweak the cheeses, herbs, or even make it dairy-free – don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your signature loaf.

• Swap in Different Cheeses: Try mozzarella, provolone, or cheddar for a different flavor and melt.
• Go Vegan: Substitute plant-based butter and your favorite dairy-free cheeses to create a vegan sandwich bread everyone will love.
• Spicy Kick: Sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes or use a spicy cheese blend for some zing!
• Whole Wheat Flour: Substitute half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat for a nuttier, heartier loaf.

How to Make Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Subway Copycat

Step 1: Make the Bread Starter

Combine your all-purpose flour, diastatic malt powder, and active yeast in a bowl. Add the lukewarm water and mix until just combined – don’t worry if it’s a little shaggy. Cover with a clean dish cloth and let the magic happen at room temperature for 4-6 hours. This slow rest wakes up flavor and gives your bread that signature rise!

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

If you’re using the optional method, dissolve the yeast in a portion of the lukewarm water; otherwise, add all your dough ingredients – flour, butter, sugar, salt, more diastatic malt powder, and the bread starter – straight into your stand mixer bowl. Knead everything together for about 8 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic. Then, let it rest for 30 minutes in a cozy, draft-free spot.

Step 3: Fold and Ferment

Gently fold the dough a few times, let it rest for 10 minutes, and repeat this process 2 more times (3 in total). This step builds that lovely soft structure. Preheat your oven to 350°F towards the last rest, so it’s piping hot and ready when you are.

Step 4: Shape and Top the Loaves

Divide your dough into 4-5 pieces and shape them into baguette-style loaves. For picture-perfect Subway-style results, use a silicone baguette pan, but a regular baking sheet works fine, too. Combine all the topping ingredients (minus melted butter) in a shallow dish. Brush your loaves with melted butter, then roll them in that herby cheese mixture until they’re gorgeously coated.

Step 5: Final Rise and Bake

Let your loaves rest for another 20-30 minutes until puffy and slightly expanded. For the ultimate crust, place an oven-safe bowl of water in the oven to create steam. Bake your bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and fully set. For that iconic finish, broil the loaves briefly (just 1-2 minutes) to melt and brown the cheese – but watch closely!

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Once out of the oven, drape your Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Subway Copycat loaves with a clean dish cloth as they cool. This step is key for keeping them fluffy and supremely soft – the hallmark of a sandwich superstar.

How to Serve Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Subway Copycat

Garnishes

Give your fresh-baked bread an irresistible finish by brushing with a little extra melted butter straight from the oven, then sprinkle on a pinch of extra Italian seasoning or a shower of parmesan for sensational aroma and flavor.

Side Dishes

This loaf is made for sandwich-building, but it’s also dreamy alongside creamy soups like broccoli cheddar, a crisp Caesar salad, or as the star of a party platter with olive oil for dipping and charcuterie by its side.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice it lengthwise for epic homemade sub sandwiches piled high with your favorites, cut into thick ‘fingers’ for dunking into hot marinara, or cube it up as festive croutons atop your favorite salad. However you serve it, that Italian herb and cheese flavor absolutely shines!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Subway Copycat can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To maintain the bread’s signature softness, always store it once fully cooled and keep it out of direct sunlight.

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully! Cool the loaves completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, slice before freezing so you can thaw just what you need for those spur-of-the-moment sandwich cravings.

Reheating

To enjoy that fresh-from-the-oven deliciousness, warm slices in a 300°F oven for 5-8 minutes, or zap briefly in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel for extra softness. If reheating frozen bread, let it thaw first for best texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Baking your own Italian Herb and Cheese Bread Subway Copycat is one of the most satisfying kitchen projects – and trust me, you’re going to want to try it at least once! Invite the intoxicating aroma of fresh-baked herbs and cheese into your home, make any sandwich feel special, and enjoy that first bite warm from the oven. Happy baking, my friend!

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