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16 Better-Than-Subway Sub Bread Recipes

A good sub bread is soft but sturdy and has a perfect depth of flavor. And you should be in charge of the quality. In fact, there’s so much sugar in Subway’s bread that the courts of Ireland ruled that it no longer met the criteria to be called “bread”.

So let’s make something better!

You can fill your sub, hoagie or grinders with an assortment of gooey, cheesy meatballs and sauce, or a trendy chopped salad. And yes, your favorite cold cuts. No matter what’s inside, the bread should support and not overpower the ingredients and these are all great choices.

Dig in to this list of 16 of the best sub bread recipes that range from basic to specialty gluten free sub recipes and sourdough hoagie rolls too.

Note: Learning to shape sub or hoagie bread can be tricky so don’t give up if your first ones are a bit lopsided or uneven. You can learn more about shaping hoagie or sub bread in this video.

If you’d like to make one large sub bread, try this

Personally my biggest struggle when I make subs is that I always make the bread too big. By the time they do their second rise and then bake they are H-U-G-E.

That’s why I prefer making a large loaf like this french bread recipe and then just cutting sections out. It’s like a 16″ long sub and it makes me feel less pressure to make all the small ones perfect.

Single Loaf French Bread
This recipe is a perfect larger version of a sub roll and could be used to make one big sandwich and slice into smaller portions, or you could shape the dough into smaller loaves and baked for a shorter amount of time.
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a loaf of baked french bread on a cooling rack

Versatile Sub Bread Recipes (no spices or cheese)

The most versatile, okay…plain sub bread recipes aren’t necessarily boring. Super soft and fluffy, explore these recipes that range from firm and chewy crusts to very tender ones and still deliver great flavor. If you aren’t sure what flavor you want for a recipe, go with one of these.

Soft and Fluffy Italian Sub Rolls
A super soft and pillowy sub roll that freezes great and works as an excellent base recipe.
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Photo credit: Heart’s Content Farmhouse
Handmade Sub Rolls
Check out Spencer's specialty sub/hoagie/grinder roll that he made specifically for meatball subs but works great for any base recipe.
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Photo credit: The Kitchen Coalition
Homemade crusty hoagie rolls
This crustier loaf is great for making hoagies of course but also shapes into burger buns or hot dog buns as needed. Super versatile!
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Photo credit: Let the Baking Begin
Super Soft Sub, Italian and Hoagie Rolls
Just look at how soft that sub roll is! If you're looking for pillowy goodness, give this extra soft version a try.
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Photo credit: Budgeting 101

Sub Bread Recipes with Herbs and Cheese

Herb and cheese sub bread recipes are among the most popular out there. For maximum flavor, use a hard cheese like parmesan or gruyere and any herbs you like. Italian blend is most common for these but you could add heat with cayenne, or use a single herb or spice you really love.

Subway Bread Copycat (Italian Herbs and Cheese)
Alonya promises this Italian herbs and cheese version is just like Subway's. It sure looks good to me–check it out and report back.
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Photo credit: Alonya’s Cooking
Asiago Herb Hoagie Rolls
Asiago cheese is like a stronger flavored parmesan (sort of) and boy does it taste good baked on bread. These little jewels would be perfect piled high with Italian salami or ham!
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Photo credit: Girl vs Dough
Subway Italian Herb and Cheese Copycat Bread
This recipe takes a little planning and uses a few ingredients I didn't realize were on a Subway sub.
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Photo credit: Better Baker Club

Whole Wheat Sub Breads

Whole wheat sub rolls are going to be more dense than white. If you’d like to, you can take any recipe listed above and use half whole wheat flour in them for a blend that’s not too heavy and not too plain.

If you go all whole wheat, give your sub bread more time to rise. Wheat is heavier and takes longer for yeast to “lift” the weight of it. If you’re really feeling froggy, grind your own wheat fresh for maximum nutrition and flavor.

Whole Wheat Hoagie Rolls
These easy Whole Wheat Hoagie Rolls are perfect for your favorite sandwiches. They’re soft, but sturdy enough for any of your hearty sandwich fillings.
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Photo credit: A Plantiful Path
Outback Steakhouse Bread
Craving that pumpernickel style dark bread? Boost your sub sandwiches with this unique flavor. Simply shape smaller rolls to make a hoagie or sub shape.
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Photo credit: You Say Potatoes

Sourdough Sub Breads

Sourdough bread is delicious! No doubt about that–and you can use that starter to make more than crusty loaves with pretty patterns on the top. Because sourdough takes a fair amount of prep and rise time, don’t be afraid to double or triple one of these sourdough sub bread recipes, bake them and keep them frozen for later.

Sourdough Sub or Hoagie Rolls
This great base recipe makes sub or hoagie rolls that aren't too crusty but have just the right amount of bite and sturdiness to hold all of your favorite fillings. Plan ahead and freeze extra for faster meals later.
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Photo credit: Pantry Mama
Perfect Sourdough Sub Rolls
Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone is well known for her great sourdough recipes. Try this tested and true sub roll recipe and bring versatility to your next sourdough creation.
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Photo credit: Farmhouse on Boone
Sourdough Sandwich Rolls
Molly of Plum Branch Home uses avocado oil in this version of sourdough sub rolls and says they make a softer, fluffier final result. Plus this recipe is full of details on storing, freezing and bulk baking these easy rolls.
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Photo credit: Plum Branch Home
Gluten Free Sub Rolls (Teff flour)
This recipe is a little bit different but it uses a sourdough TEFF flour and starter to make these rolls. I wouldn't say this would be the easiest recipe out there, but if you want a challenge and have the money for the flour, it could be a decent recipe to attempt.
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Photo credit: Feed Your Soul Too

Gluten Free Sub Bread Recipes

Gluten free baking is tricky so I’ve only included a couple from people who know gluten free bread really well. These recipes make gluten free sub bread that’s not crumbly and will hold up to your favorite toppings hot or cold.

Both of these versions use basic gluten free flour blends. King Arthur has long been a favorite of mine for its neutral flavor and less gritty texture.

Subway Style Gluten Free Sandwich Rolls
Nicole Hunn is an OG in the gluten free baking world. This recipe does take some advanced prep and chilling, so plan ahead.
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Photo credit: Gluten Free on a Shoestring
Gluten Free Hot Dog Buns
Yes, there is life after wheat and these "hot dog" buns could easily be made a bit wider and shorter to serve as a sub roll that's doesn't go to powder in your hands. There's hope with this recipe!
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Photo credit: Life After Wheat

Great sandwich ideas for sub bread

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