I still remember the first time I smelled Italian Herbs & Cheese Bread baking—it wasn’t in some fancy European bakery, but in my tiny Texas kitchen, flour dusted across the counter and my youngest perched on a stool, watching the dough rise like magic.
It was a rough month. Bills were tight. Spirits were tighter. But I had flour, yeast, and a jar of dried oregano I brought back from a farmers’ market. So I made bread. Not just any bread—bread that crackled golden on the outside, burst with melted cheese, and smelled like every comfort food dream rolled into one.
This Italian Herbs & Cheese Bread is soft, fluffy, and rich with savory flavor. A real-life version of the one from Subway—but homemade, wholesome, and layered with love. It’s become a staple in our home, whether it’s paired with soup, turned into toasted sandwiches, or just torn apart and eaten warm with olive oil.
How to Make Italian Herbs & Cheese Bread
This bread comes together with basic pantry staples—yeast, flour, olive oil, and cheese. The magic? It’s in the herbs and the love you work into that dough.
You’ll knead it by hand (or use a mixer), let it rise until puffy, shape into loaves, and then coat it with a fragrant herb mix and shredded cheese. As it bakes, your whole home will smell like a little Italian bakery in the hills of Tuscany.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (105–110°F)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2½–3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Herb & Cheese Topping:
- 1 tbsp melted butter or olive oil (for brushing)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp parsley
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella + provolone blend (or just mozzarella)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Activate Yeast
In a large bowl, whisk warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Make the Dough
Add olive oil and salt. Slowly mix in flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead
Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Shape the Loaf
Punch down the dough. Shape into a loaf or sub-rolls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Top with Flavor
Brush with melted butter or oil. Sprinkle on dried herbs and shredded cheese.
6. Bake
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until golden and cheese is bubbling.
7. Cool & Slice
Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm—or toast for the best sandwich bread ever.
You Must Know
- You can add grated parmesan or asiago for a saltier, more complex bite.
- The dough is freezer-friendly—just thaw and bake as needed.
- Make it into mini sandwich rolls for parties or picnics.
Top Tips for Perfect Italian Herbs & Cheese Bread
- Let it rise fully. Rushed dough equals flat, dense bread.
- Herbs lose flavor quickly—use fresh dried herbs or grind your own.
- For a Subway-style crust, cover the dough loosely with foil during the first half of baking, then uncover to brown.
- No mixer? No problem. Hand kneading builds beautiful structure and gives your bread that rustic, homemade feel.
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Store: Wrap tightly and store at room temp up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Wrap cooled bread in plastic and foil. Freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Toast slices in a hot oven or skillet until the cheese edges crisp again.
Helpful Notes
- This bread pairs beautifully with soups like my Hearty Lentil Stew or Roasted Tomato Basil Soup.
- Skip the cheese if you want a lighter herb bread—though I rarely do that!
- Add sun-dried tomatoes or olives for Mediterranean flair.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Ina Garten recommends brushing herb breads with melted garlic butter for extra depth.
- Gabriele Bonci uses multiple resting periods to develop the gluten and deepen flavor.
- Samin Nosrat always adds flaky salt after baking to boost aroma and texture.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using cold water. Your yeast won’t activate.
- Overloading with cheese. It’ll slide off before baking or burn.
- Skipping the second rise. This helps form a tender, airy interior.
FAQs
What is on Italian herb and cheese bread?
Classic toppings include dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, parsley, and a mix of shredded cheeses—usually mozzarella and provolone. Some versions add parmesan or romano.
What herbs go with cheese bread?
Oregano, basil, thyme, parsley, and rosemary all pair beautifully with melted cheese. Garlic and onion powder also enhance the savory profile.
What are the ingredients in Subway Italian herbs and cheese bread?
Subway uses enriched white bread dough with a blend of Italian-style herbs and shredded Monterey jack and cheddar cheese. Our version is homemade with clean ingredients and more flavor.
What does Subway Italian herb and cheese bread taste like?
It’s soft and slightly chewy inside, with a crispy, cheesy crust and a strong hit of garlic and Italian seasoning. This homemade version has even more personality—and none of the additives.
Conclusion
Baking this Italian Herbs & Cheese Bread feels like a love letter to simple, honest food. Whether you grew up around the smell of homemade bread or you’re trying it for the first time, there’s something deeply grounding about pulling this loaf from your oven.
It’s become a tradition in our home. On Saturdays, after the long week winds down, I’ll toss on an old apron, and the kids know what’s coming. The dough, the herbs, the bubbling cheese—it’s food that says you’re home.
Whether you serve it next to soup, wrap it around a sandwich, or eat it standing barefoot in the kitchen like I often do—this loaf always delivers warmth and comfort.
Print
Italian Herbs & Cheese Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Homemade Subway-style Italian Herbs & Cheese Bread, soft inside and golden cheesy on top. Perfect for sandwiches or dipping.
Ingredients
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2½–3 cups flour
- 1½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Herbs: oregano, basil, parsley
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella & provolone
Instructions
- Activate yeast in warm water with sugar
- Add oil, salt, and flour to form dough
- Knead for 10 minutes and let rise 1 hour
- Shape loaf and place on baking sheet
- Brush with butter and sprinkle herbs/cheese
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes
- Cool slightly before slicing
Notes
For extra flavor, mix parmesan into the topping cheese. Add sun-dried tomatoes or olives for variation.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
Keywords: Italian herbs and cheese bread, Subway bread copycat, herb cheese loaf
