Soft Homemade Sub Roll Recipe-Bread Machine Dough or Hand Kneaded Method
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
Learn how to make soft, fluffy homemade sub rolls with this easy bread machine recipe, plus a simple hand-kneaded option. These golden, bakery-style rolls are perfect for sandwiches, subs, and everyday meals. With their soft, fluffy texture and perfectly golden crust, these rolls are ideal for everything from hearty meatball subs to classic deli sandwiches. Making your own sub rolls at home may sound intimidating, but these easy sub rolls come together with simple pantry ingredients and are well worth the effort.
Fresh, soft sub rolls make any sandwich better, and the good news is they're incredibly easy to make at home. This homemade sub roll recipe gives you two simple options: use your bread machine to mix and knead the dough or make it completely by hand with a traditional method. Either way, you'll end up with soft, fluffy rolls that bake up golden and perfect for cold cut subs, meatballs, or even chicken salad. This homemade sub roll recipe uses basic pantry ingredients, requires minimal effort using a bread machine, and tastes better than store-bought.
If you’ve noticed how much store-bought sub rolls cost lately, you’re definitely not alone—and honestly, the quality just doesn’t always match the price. Many of them are either too dry, fall apart halfway through your sandwich, or taste overly processed. That’s really what pushed me to start making my own at home. The best part is, it’s actually so much easier than most people think. With a bread machine, you don’t even have to worry about kneading the dough at all. You just add the ingredients, let it do the work, and come back to perfectly mixed dough ready to shape. It takes the stress out of homemade bread and makes fresh, soft sub rolls something you can enjoy any day of the week.
This homemade sub roll recipe was created to make fresh, bakery-style rolls easy to enjoy right at home. Using simple pantry ingredients, the bread machine does most of the work for you, mixing and kneading the dough to perfection with almost no effort. The result is soft, fluffy sub rolls with a light texture and golden crust—perfect for sandwiches, subs, or even served alongside soups and salad.
I love my bread machine—I honestly wish I had bought one long ago. It really couldn’t be easier: for bread, sub rolls, or pizza dough, you just add your ingredients, turn it on, and let it do the work. It mixes the dough, kneads it, and lets it rise all in one simple machine. There’s no fussing, no guessing, and no mess, and don’t forget, when making bread, it bakes right in the machine. You save money, use better ingredients, and enjoy fresh, warm bread right from your own kitchen.
Homemade Sub Roll Ingredients
1 cup warm water (110°F)
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon honey or sugar
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 egg
2 teaspoons salt
Homemade Sub Rolls (Bread Machine)
Bread Machine Sub Roll Instructions
Add Ingredients to Bread Machine Pan
Add the ingredients in this order:
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon honey or sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 egg
3 to 3½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons active dry yeast (make a small well in the flour and place yeast in the well)
Bread Machine Settings
Select the Dough Cycle
Start machine and let it mix and knead
Homemade Sub Rolls (By Hand Method)
In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1 cup of warm water (about 110°F), honey or sugar, and 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until it becomes foamy and activated.
Add the olive oil and egg, and mix to combine.
Gradually add the flour and salt, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. If needed, add up to an additional ½ cup of flour a little at a time until the dough comes together and is soft but not overly sticky.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
How to Shape Sub Rolls (bread machine and by hand method)
Don't worry about making these look perfect-homemade sub rolls are supposed to have a soft, rustic shape. Here's the easiest way to get that classic look:
1. Divide the dough
Once your dough has finished its first rise—or your bread machine dough cycle is done—turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently press it down and divide into 4 equal pieces. I like to use lightly floured parchment paper for an easy clean up.
2. Flatten gently
Take one piece and gently press it into a small rectangle. No need to overwork it.
3. Roll it up
Starting from the long side, roll the dough up tightly like a log.
4. Pinch the seam
Pinch the seam closed so it stays together while baking.
5. Lightly roll to shape
Gently roll the dough back and forth to smooth it out and slightly taper the ends.
6. Let it rest
Place the shaped rolls onto a baking sheet, cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel, and let them rise for 25-30 minutes, or until slightly puffy. They don’t need to double—just look a bit fuller and softer
.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F. For a shiny, golden-brown finish, lightly brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with a splash of water) or olive oil if preferred. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown on top and cooked through. If desired, sprinkle the tops with dried herbs or Parmesan cheese before baking for extra flavor.
Check out our Parmesan garlic butter recipe! This flavorful garlic butter makes the perfect topping for homemade sub rolls and also works wonderfully as a delicious sandwich spread.
Common Questions
Can the dough cycle on my bread machine be used for only mixing, kneading, and rising?
Yes! The dough cycle on a bread machine can absolutely be used for mixing, kneading, and the first rise which makes homemade sub rolls much easier. Simply add the ingredients to your bread machine and select dough cycle. The machine will mix, knead, and allow the first rise. Once the cycle is finished, remove the dough, shape the sub rolls, let them rise again, and bake in the oven.
How to get golden brown tops on homemade sub rolls?
To get beautifully golden brown tops on homemade sub rolls, brush the tops lightly with an egg wash before baking. An egg wash is simply one beaten egg mixed with a tablespoon of water or milk. This helps give the rolls a shiny, bakery style finish and rich golden color as they bake. Baking the rolls on the center rack and making sure your oven is fully preheated will also help them brown evenly. Homemade
Can I freeze homemade sub rolls? Homemade
Yes, homemade sub rolls freeze very well, making them perfect for meal prep or saving extra for later. Allow the rolls to cool completely after baking, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. For the best freshness, try to remove as much as air as possible from the bag before freezing. Homemade sub rolls can be frozen for up to two months. When ready to use, let them thaw at room temperature.
There’s nothing quite like homemade sub rolls fresh from the oven. Soft on the inside with a perfectly golden crust, these rolls are easy to make and perfect for everything from deli sandwiches to meatball subs. Whether you enjoy them fresh with butter or piled high with your favorite sandwich fillings, this simple recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again.
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