The Best Ultra Soft Subway-Style White Hoagie Rolls Recipe With Potato Flakes and a Stand Mixer!
Hi! If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
Homemade bread has quietly become one of the most important staples in our kitchen. Not because I’m chasing trends or aesthetics, but because it solves real problems for us. Cost. Ingredients. Comfort food that actually works for our family.
My husband is a big sandwich guy. Especially classic deli-style subs. Italian. Pastrami. Corned beef. Anything warm and piled high that needs a proper soft roll to hold it all together. Think Firehouse Subs-style sandwiches, where the bread is pillowy and warm, not tough or crusty.
That is exactly where most homemade sub bread falls apart.
So many recipes promise “soft rolls” and still deliver a thick crust that cracks, flakes, or dries out the second it cools. That is not what we want here. This recipe is specifically designed to give you soft white sub rolls with no hard crust, even the next day.
The key is a combination of technique and one unexpected ingredient. Instant mashed potato flakes. They lock in moisture, soften the crumb, and keep the bread tender without turning it dense. This is the same trick used in many commercial soft breads, and it works beautifully at home.
I make these using my stand mixer because it keeps things simple and consistent. No complicated shaping. No long ferment. No special equipment required. Just a soft dough, a gentle rise, and a bake that stays pale and tender instead of crusty.
As a military family on baby step 2 of our debt free journey, eating out is an occasional treat. Making breads like this at home saves us a surprising amount of money, especially when subs are one of our favorite meals. Every small swap adds up over time.
And just a reminder that if you’re struggling and you need help with managing your budget or starting your own debt free journey then here’s some FREE resources below you may find helpful!
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As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
So roll up your sleeves and head into the kitchen to make the softest white sub rolls that are perfect for sandwiches, freezer prep, and busy family dinners!
Equipment
- Stand mixer with dough hook and bowl
- Measuring jugs, cups and spoons
- Plastic wrap or clean kitchen towel
- Bench scraper
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet or hoagie pan
- Sharp bread knife or bread lame
- Cooling rack
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Ingredients
Makes 4 large footlong (12 inch) Subway-style rolls
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 tablespoons quick rise instant yeast
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup instant mashed potato flakes (I’ll link the kind I use below)
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1 tablespoon finely ground Himalayan pink salt or other fine salt
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Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Add all dough ingredients to the bowl of your stand mixer in the order listed.
Step 2
Attach the dough hook and knead on low speed for 7 minutes.
Step 3
When finished, the dough should be very soft and sticky. It will cling lightly to the bowl and hook and will feel sticky on your fingers.
Do not be tempted to add extra flour! This softness is what creates tender bread with no hard crust.
Step 4
Form the dough into a rough ball, place it back into the bowl, cover, and let it rest for 15 minutes.
Step 5
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 4 equal portions.
Step 6
Shape each portion by forming a ball, flattening slightly, then rolling into a long log, approximately 9-10 inches long.
Step 7
Place the rolls onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Use folded parchment paper between each roll to support the sides if you are not using a hoagie pan.
Step 8
Make 3 to 4 shallow cuts across each roll. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, until visibly puffy.
Step 9
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Step 10
Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until cooked through and just barely turning golden at the edges. Do not overbake.
Step 11
Transfer the rolls and parchment paper to a cooling rack and cover with a clean towel. This traps steam and keeps the crust soft.
Step 12
Let the rolls cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing so the crumb sets properly. Then make up your subs with your favorite fillings – enjoy!
How to Freeze These Soft Sub Rolls Once Baked
These rolls freeze extremely well and are one of my favorite make-ahead breads.
Once fully cooled and sliced, wrap each roll individually in foil or plastic wrap. Place the wrapped rolls into a large 2 gallon freezer bag.
Freeze for up to 2 months.
To thaw, set the wrapped rolls on the counter for 2 to 3 hours until fully defrosted.
To warm, I microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, or place in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. Keep wrapped while warming to prevent drying.
This method keeps the bread soft and perfect for subs!
Notes and Troubleshooting
Notes
- Potato flakes are essential for softness. Do not skip them.
- Sticky dough is intentional and correct.
- Covering the rolls while cooling prevents crust formation.
Troubleshooting
- Bread feels dense? Too much flour was added.
- Crust feels firm? Bread was overbaked or cooled uncovered.
- Rolls spread too wide? Use parchment supports or a hoagie pan.
Storage
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze baked rolls for up to 2 months.
Serving Ideas
- Italian style pastrami or corned beef subs
- Subway and Firehouse-style hot deli sandwiches
- Classic cold cut hoagies
- Meatball subs
- Toasted garlic subs
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?!
- Ultra soft texture with no hard crust
- Perfect for sandwiches and subs
- Freezer friendly
- Stand mixer does all the work
- Budget friendly and family approved
FAQ
Can I double this recipe?
Yes. Double everything and keep the ratios exactly the same.
Can I use all purpose flour?
Bread flour gives the best structure, but all purpose will still work.
Can I make smaller rolls?
Yes. Divide into 6 rolls and reduce bake time slightly.
How to Make Soft Subway-Style White Bread Rolls With No Hard Crust!
February 3, 2026Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add all dough ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer in the order listed.
- Attach the dough hook and knead on low speed for 7 minutes, until very soft and sticky. Do not be tempted to add extra flour as this very soft dough is what keeps the bread from becoming hard.
- Form the dough into a rough ball, place back in the bowl, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a long roll, approximately 9-10 inches long, and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Use folded parchment between rolls if not using a hoagie pan.
- Make 3 to 4 shallow cuts across each roll.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour, until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until cooked through and just lightly golden at the edges.
- Transfer rolls to a cooling rack and cover with a clean towel. Cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Potato flakes are essential for softness. Do not skip them.
- Sticky dough is intentional and correct.
- Covering the rolls while cooling prevents crust formation.
Storage
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze baked rolls for up to 2 months.
Bake Them and Freeze Them For Later!
These soft sub rolls freeze very well. Once fully cooled and sliced, wrap each roll individually in foil or plastic wrap. Place wrapped rolls into a large freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, leave wrapped rolls at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours. To warm, microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or heat in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes while still wrapped. This keeps the bread soft with no hard crust!Related Recipes
- Try our Italian Herb and Cheese Copycat Subway Rolls too!
- Check out all our Bread Recipes here!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Takeaway
That’s the secret to soft sub rolls without the hard crust.
The kind that flex when you pick them up, stay fluffy when sliced, and turn an ordinary sandwich into something you actually look forward to eating.
Perfect for recreating Subway or Firehouse style subs at home without blowing the grocery budget. Make them once, freeze a few, and suddenly family sandwich night feels like a win instead of a shortcut.
This is one of those bread recipes you’ll keep coming back to!
What to Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If these soft sub rolls become a staple in your kitchen, tap the stars on the recipe card and leave a quick comment. Sharing helps other families cook well at home too!
Last update on 2026-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
