Italian Herb Cheese Bread (Subway Bread Recipe)

This Italian Herb Cheese Bread recipe brings the beloved flavors of your favorite sandwich shop straight to your kitchen. With aromatic Italian herbs, savory parmesan cheese, and a perfectly soft texture, you'll never need to buy store-bought bread again.

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My 2 Best Tips For Making Italian Herb Cheese Bread

Flour Adjustment: The key to perfect bread lies in achieving the right dough consistency rather than exact measurements. Start with the minimum flour amount and gradually add more until the dough cleans the bowl sides but remains slightly sticky. Environmental factors like humidity and altitude significantly affect flour absorption, so trust your hands more than the measuring cup.

Proper Kneading: Develop the gluten properly by kneading until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. The windowpane test works perfectly here - stretch a small piece of dough until it's thin enough to see light through without tearing. This ensures your bread will have the perfect chewy texture and proper rise.

How To Make Italian Herb Cheese Bread

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375ºF. Mix 4 cups of purpose flour and the rest of the dry ingredients, garlic powder, and 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning together. Whisk milk, olive oil, and one of the eggs together. Pour into dry mix and start to combine. While the dry ingredients and milk mixture combine, slowly pour in the water.

Step 2: The dough should be slightly tacky. Add more flour, if needed. Once dough is the correct consistency, knead for about 5 minutes until the texture is smooth and elastic. You should be able to stretch the dough a bit without it breaking. Cover the dough and let rest for 20 minutes.

Step 3: After resting, divide the dough into 4 sections, and form each section into a small loaf shape, like a loaf of subway bread. Pinch and tuck under both of the ends. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Make the egg wash and brush over the top of each loaf. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese.

Step 4: Cover and let rest 20 more minutes. After resting, bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

Italian Herb and Cheesy Subway Bread Sandwich Ideas

There are so many ways to enjoy this tasty bread! You can recreate your favorite Subway sandwich at home or get creative and create something totally new!

Here are some ideas for what to do with your Italian bread:

• Italian Sub: This classic sandwich is usually made with cold cuts, like salami and pepperoni, provolone cheese, salad, and Italian dressing. The savory flavor of the Italian meats and cheese pairs so well with this herb-infused bread!
• Turkey and Avocado: For a healthier option, try a sandwich with sliced turkey, avocado, salad, and light mayonnaise. The creaminess of the avocado and the crunch from the veggies is a match made in heaven.
• Chicken Parmesan: Cut chicken breast into slices and cook it in marinara sauce. Place the chicken and sauce on the bread, then top it with mozzarella cheese and bake until the cheese is melted.
• Meatball Marinara: A real classic! Cook up my meatball sub recipe and serve it in your freshly baked herb and cheese sub bread. The combination of the savory meatballs and the cheesy bread is divine.
• Herb-Crusted Chicken: If you have any leftovers of my herb-crusted chicken, the crispy parmesan crust and moist chicken go great with this bread. Top it off with some salad and your favorite sauce for a tasty sandwich.
• Veggie Delight: For a vegetarian option, try a sandwich with grilled vegetables such as zucchini, half banana peppers, and onions. Add some hummus or pesto for extra flavor and a bit of feta cheese!
• Italian Beef: My slow cooker Italian beef sandwich filling is a great way to enjoy the Italian flavors - without spending too much time in the kitchen. The shredded beef is so succulent, adding a nice flavor contrast to the cheesy bread. Melt over some monterey jack cheese for even more yumminess.