If you’re craving Rosemary Parmesan Bread from Jersey Mike’s but can’t make it to the shop, this recipe is for you! Not only does it taste exactly like what you’ll get straight from the sandwich shop (maybe even a little better since homemade is almost always superior), it is also so easy to whip up at home with a few ingredients I know you always have in your kitchen. Whether you’ve made homemade parmesan bread at home before or not, this easy recipe will have you whipping up loaves of Jersey Mike’s-inspired bread in no time!
There’s something magical about the combination of rosemary and parmesan cheese toasted onto freshly baked bread. This Jersey Mike’s rosemary parmesan bread recipe, my easy copycat version, is the perfect combo of all those amazing flavors.
You can make any number of delicious sandwiches on a Jersey Mike’s rosemary parm bread, but my favorite is this ultimate roast beef sandwich, and my husband’s favorite is the classic Italian, the same one he orders every time we go into a sandwich shop. You can also slice and toast this bread to be the perfect side for a soup, one of my favorites being borscht or Sardinian longevity minestrone soup.
If you’re ready for an easy way to make a copycat version of the beloved rosemary parmesan bread from Jersey Mike’s, keep reading!
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Need for This Recipe
- How to Make This Rosemary Parmesan Bread Recipe
- Instructional Recipe Video
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Rosemary Parmesan Bread Jersey Mike’s Copycat Recipe
Jersey Mike’s Bread Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients that make this rosemary parmesan bread so special. Don’t worry; you won’t need any fancy or hard-to-find components. In fact, you probably have most of them in your kitchen right now!
- Flour – The foundation of any good bread is the flour. For this recipe, all-purpose flour works perfectly. Its moderate protein content strikes a balance between a tender crumb and a chewy texture, giving the bread a satisfying bite.
- Milk – Milk helps give this sandwich bread it’s softness. Whole milk is preferred, but you can also use skim milk or a milk alternative.
- Butter – A slight bit of butter keeps the bread tender and adds a hint of creamy flavor to complement the rosemary and parmesan.
- Yeast – Yeast is what makes the dough rise and gives the bread its airy structure. Active dry yeast or instant yeast both work for this recipe, so use what you’re comfortable with.
- Rosemary – Rosemary is the star of this show, infusing the bread with its distinct piney fragrance. Fresh rosemary is the ideal choice, but dried rosemary works well too if that’s what you have on hand.
- Parmesan – Parmesan cheese adds a burst of flavor to the bread. Grated parmesan blends seamlessly into the dough, resulting in delightful pockets of cheesy goodness as the bread bakes.
- Sugar & salt – A touch of sugar not only helps activate the yeast but also balances the savory notes of the parmesan and rosemary. Salt, on the other hand, enhances the overall flavor profile, making sure every bite is perfectly seasoned.
How to Make this Recipe
Ready to get your hands into the dough and start baking? Here’s the super simple process I use to make this homemade parmesan bread:
- In a mixing bowl, combine lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the water, stir the mixture, and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. This process, known as proofing the yeast, ensures that it’s active and ready to work its magic.
- Microwave the milk and butter for 1 minute or until the butter has melted. When the yeast mixture has proofed, combine with the warmed mixture.
- Gradually add the flour and the salt into the yeast and milk mixture and knead with a mixer or by hand. Continue adding flour gradually until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Continue kneading for a 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot for approximately 20 minutes.
- Flatten the dough then roll it up to shape it into the desired loaf shape. Pinch and round the ends and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a greased bread loaf pan.
- Cover the shaped dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes. This second rise allows the dough to relax and proof further, resulting in a lighter, more tender bread. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Score the top of the loaves with a sharp knife or scoring blade, and brush over the egg wash (egg + water).
- Bake the bread for 16 minutes or until it turns a beautiful golden brown. Sprinkle parmesan and rosemary and bake for another 2 minutes until cheese has melted.
If you loved making this recipe, you may also love my easy Italian pizza dough recipe!
Jersey Mike’s Rosemary Parmesan Bread VIDEO
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! If using instant yeast, you can skip the proofing step (mixing with water and sugar). Simply add it directly to the dry ingredients, and proceed with the recipe as directed. Keep in mind that the dough may rise faster, so check it sooner during the rising stages.
Absolutely! You can knead the dough by hand. It will take about 8-10 minutes of kneading to achieve a smooth and elastic texture. It’s a bit of a workout, but totally doable.
The dough should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. You can perform the “windowpane test” by stretching a small piece of dough between your fingers; if it stretches into a thin, translucent sheet without breaking, it’s ready.
Yes, you can substitute dried rosemary for fresh. Since dried herbs are more concentrated, use about half the amount—around 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons of dried rosemary in place of the fresh rosemary.
For a gluten-free version, you’ll need to use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute designed for baking. The texture may be slightly different, and gluten-free doughs typically don’t rise as much, but it can still work!
Store the bread at room temperature in an airtight container or bread bag for up to 2 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage (up to 2 months). Make sure to slice it before freezing for easy thawing.
This can happen for a few reasons:
1. Your yeast may have been expired or inactive. Always check the expiration date, and ensure the yeast foams when proofed.
2. The water used to activate the yeast may have been too hot, killing the yeast. Keep the temperature between 105°F-110°F.
3. The environment may have been too cold for the dough to rise. Try placing the dough in a warm spot, like an oven with the light on, to encourage rising.
Rosemary Parmesan Bread (Jersey Mike’s Copycat) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp salt
- 5 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup parmesan grated
- 2 tbsp rosemary (fresh or dried) chopped
Egg Wash Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the water, stir gently, and let it rest for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
- Microwave the milk and butter for 1 minute or until the butter has melted. Once the yeast mixture has proofed, combine with the warmed milk and butter mixture.
- Gradually add flour and the salt into the yeast and milk mixture and knead with a mixer or by hand. Continue adding flour gradually until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead for 5 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot for approximately 20 minutes.
- After the dough has risen, gently flatted it and roll it up to form the desired loaf shape. Pinch the ends to seal and place the loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a greased loaf pan.
- Cover the loaf with a clean towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes. While the dough rises, preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Then, score the top of the loaves with a sharp knife or scoring blade, and brush over the egg wash (egg + water).
- Bake the loaves for 16 minutes, or until it turns a rich golden brown. Sprinkle with parmesan and rosemary, and bake for an additional 2 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
- Let the bread cool before cutting and serving.
Video
Notes
- Yeast Activation: Be sure your water is lukewarm (about 105°F-110°F) when activating the yeast. Water that’s too hot can kill the yeast, while water that’s too cold may not activate it properly.
- Kneading Tips: Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This could take about 5-8 minutes. If kneading by hand, the dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until the consistency is right.
- First Rise: The dough should roughly double in size during the first rise. The rising time can vary depending on the temperature in your kitchen. If your kitchen is cooler, it may take a bit longer.
- Storage: Store leftover bread in an airtight container or bread bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the bread for up to 2 months—just slice it before freezing for easier thawing.
- Serving Suggestions: This bread is perfect for sandwiches, as a side with soups, or toasted with butter. Try it with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping, or serve with pasta dishes for an Italian-inspired meal.
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this copycat Jersey Mike’s bread recipe!
Making your own rosemary parmesan bread is not only gratifying but also a delightful way to bring the flavors of Jersey Mike’s into your home. With simple ingredients and a bit of love and patience, you can create a bread that will impress family and friends alike.
So, the next time you crave the irresistible combination of rosemary and parmesan, skip the trip to the store and head to your kitchen instead. Embrace the joy of baking and relish every moment as you indulge in the delectable taste of your very own rosemary parmesan bread. Happy baking!
For more bread recipes and other yummy meals, visit https://freshcupofjoy.com/category/food-health/recipes/!
Just tried this recipe and it was a hit with the family! It’s really nice how much quicker this one is.
Loved it. Perfect for fall!
I’ve been looking for a quicker recipe where the bread making process wasn’t so involved! I appreciate the easy to follow directions.