Hook and Ladder Firehouse Subs Copycat Recipe + Video

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Hook and Ladder Firehouse subs combine Monterey Jack cheese melted over turkey and ham with all the classic fixings. Recreate your favorite Hook and Ladder sub at home in minutes! I love making this simple sub roll! 

titled: Firehouse Hook and Ladder Subs


 

Making a medium sub at home is so fun to do and this Hook and Ladder recipe makes it simple! The recipe card below gives the simple steps to whip it up in no time for a fast and simple lunch! 

Hook and Ladder Firehouse

We’ve done it! We’ve cracked the code to the world-famous Firehouse Subs Hook and Ladder sandwich.

Other than using the air fryer, this copycat Hook and Ladder sub is cut and “built” exactly like the restaurant version, and it’s even got all of the fixings to make it “fully involved.”

Craving more sandwiches? You can’t go wrong with a gourmet grilled cheese or juicy French Dip

I’ve even got a copycat recipe for Monte Cristo sandwiches like the ones at Disney!

two pieces of bread, one with mustard and one with veggies

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Meat – Use a combination of smoked turkey breast and honey ham. If you order from the deli counter of your store, you can ask that both be sliced really thin.
  • Cheese – Monterey Jack has a mild flavor and melts really well. If you prefer something more bold, swap in white cheddar or Colby Jack.
  • Spread – Keep it classic with mayo and deli mustard, or swap in Dijon for more tang.
  • Veggies – Slice up iceberg lettuce, tomato, and white onion for a fully involved version!
  • Bread – You’ll want a whole foot-long French loaf to build your copycat Firehouse Hook and Ladder subs. 

    Or, opt for sourdough or whole wheat loaves — as long as they are the same size and length.

I always say that when making a sub, the list of ingredients can vary. I’m a fan of this Hook & Ladder sandwich because of how perfectly all the flavors mesh together.

Other ingredient options that you can use and add can vary – but some fun ideas can be Virginia Honey Ham, diced bell pepper, cream cheese, Italian dressing, zesty marinara, Italian seasonings, spicy mustard, and even Italian meatballs. 

Some of those ingredients might really be throwing the flavor a curveball, but why not? 

cheese topped turkey slices on parchment paper

How To Make a Hook and Ladder Sub

Since most of us don’t have a commercial meat steamer or industrial bread toaster, we’ve adapted the Hook and Ladder Firehouse recipe so you can use your air fryer. 

It’s so good, you won’t be able to tell the difference!

First, chop and slice all of the ingredients so they are ready to go. Then, build your Hook and Ladder sandwich like this:

Recipe Video

To see us make this Hook and Ladder Firehouse recipe from start to finish, watch the video in this post!

  1. Toast the French bread pieces in batches.
  2. Roll the ham and turkey into tubes and arrange them on a sheet of parchment.
  3. Add a layer of Monterey Jack, then cook until the cheese has melted over the meat.
  4. While that’s cooking, spread mayo on the bottom piece of bread.
  5. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and onion.
  6. Spread mustard on the top piece of bread.
  7. Transfer the meat and cheese onto the veggies with a spatula.
  8. Place the bread with mustard on top.
cheese melted over turkey slices in air fryer

Hook and Ladder Sandwich Tips and Tricks

  • Work in batches. These copycat Firehouse Hook and Ladder subs are made from a single loaf of French bread, so you will need to make one half at a time.
  • Avoid a fire! Cut your parchment paper so it’s large enough to hold the meat and cheese, but not so large that it touches the heating elements.
  • Don’t have an air fryer? You should be able to achieve the same results with a toaster oven instead. 

    Instead of cooking the filling on parchment, use a pan lined with foil and add a little cooking spray so it doesn’t stick.

Serving Suggestions

Instead of a plain pickle spear on the side, try these crispy pickle chips! Or, pair your Hook and Ladder sandwich with French fries or potato chips for a more filling meal.

All of these can be made with the same countertop appliance, saving you from a pile of dishes!

Firehouse Subs Hook and Ladder FAQ

What does “fully involved” mean at Firehouse Subs? 

Coined from the firefighting term, this is simply how to say you want everything on your sandwich! 

According to their website, this includes mayo, deli mustard, lettuce, tomato, and onion with a dill pickle on the side.

Can you make Hook and Ladder Firehouse sandwiches gluten-free?

Sure! Just replace the French bread with an allergen-friendly alternative and double-check your condiments to be sure they are safe.

Hook and ladder subs side view

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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Hook and ladder subs 6 inch

firehouse sub

Hook and Ladder Firehouse Subs Copycat Recipe + Video

Donna Elick
Hook and Ladder Firehouse subs combine turkey and ham with melted cheese and all the classic fixings. Recreate one at home in minutes!
5 stars from 5 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Method Air Fryer
Servings 2 6-inch Subs

Ingredients
 

  • 1 loaf French bread, 12 inch
  • 10 ounces smoked turkey breast, divided
  • 10 ounces Virginia honey ham, divided
  • 6 ounce block Monterey Jack cheese, melted
  • 2 cups iceberg lettuce , chopped
  • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium white onion , sliced
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons deli mustard

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your air fryer at 400°F for 3-5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile: slice the loaf of French bread in half. Then divide the loaf in two pieces cutting it diagonally just like they do at Firehouse Subs.
  • Once the air fryer is preheated (about 3 minutes), take the top and bottom of one half of the loaf and place them in the air fryer cut side UP.
  • Toast the bread for 2 minutes then remove from the air fryer. Leave the air fryer on when you take the bread out.
  • Meanwhile, measure out 5 ounces of Virginia ham and 5 ounces of smoked turkey breast for each half of the sub (10 ounces of each, total).
  • On a piece of parchment paper (just long enough to pick the meat up out of the air fryer), roll the ham into tubes so that they equal the length of the 6-inch sub you are working on. If you have more ham than the length of the sub, just put the remaining ham on top of the bottom layer.
  • Simply repeat the same thing with the turkey. Roll the turkey into tubes and place it on top of the Virginia ham. Once again, if you have more than the length of the sub, just add it on top of the layer of turkey.
  • Having laid a foundation of ham and turkey, next top the meat with a layer of Monterey Jack cheese, use about 1/2. Lightly press down.
  • Place the parchment paper with the ham, turkey and cheese in the air fryer and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melted. IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE THAT THE PARCHMENT PAPER IS JUST LONG ENOUGH TO PICK THE MEAT UP OUT OF THE AIR FRYER, BUT NOT TOO LONG SO THAT IT HITS THE HEATING ELEMENT. IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE!
  • While the meat and cheese are cooking, it’s time to prepare the sub buns. On the piece that is the bottom bun, add mayonnaise and spread it evenly.
  • Next add a bed of the chopped iceberg lettuce.
  • Follow that with a layer of the thinly sliced tomatoes and then top the tomatoes with a layer of white onion.
  • On the top bun, evenly spread deli mustard.
  • Once the cheese has melted and the meat has cooked in the air fryer, remove the parchment paper from the air fryer basket.
  • Using a long spatula, remove the meat and cheese from the parchment paper and place it on top of the lettuce, tomato and onion.
  • Place the top bun on top of the cheese!
  • Repeat the same process with the other half of the sub!
  • Enjoy your own Firehouse Subs: Hook-and-Ladder fully involved sub!!!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 1573cal | Carbohydrates: 120g | Protein: 96g | Fat: 78g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Cholesterol: 247mg | Sodium: 5066mg | Sugar: 17g | Fiber: 8g | Calcium: 764mg | Iron: 11mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled image for firehouse hook and ladder subs

Originally published May 2021, updated and republished May 2024

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8 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious and easy to make! This Hook and Ladder Firehouse Subs recipe from The Slow Roasted Italian is a winner.

  2. 5 stars
    Made this delicious sub following Donna’s recipe, and it turned out amazing! I added some pickles for extra crunch, and it was a hit with the family.

  3. 5 stars
    I can’t believe how close this homemade sub is to the restaurant version. Donna and Chad, you’ve done it again!

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