Introduction

French Bread Pizza is a quick and delicious twist on classic pizza, perfect for busy weeknights or casual meals. With crispy garlic buttered bread, melted cheese, and savory pepperoni, it’s sure to satisfy pizza cravings in no time.

A close-up of a single large piece of toasted bread topped with a red tomato sauce base, followed by a thick layer of melted, bubbly white cheese with browned spots. On top of the cheese are evenly spaced slices of bright red tomato, sprinkled with black pepper flakes and small pieces of green herbs. The toast has a crunchy golden-brown crust and soft, airy white interior, set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 Tbsp unsalted butter
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning blend
1 loaf French bread (not a baguette)
1 cup pizza sauce (more or less, to taste)
2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese (more or less, to taste)
2/3 cup sliced pepperoni (more or less, to taste)
1/4 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese (more or less, to taste)
Sprinkle of pizza seasoning (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Set aside.
Step 2: Melt butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Mix melted butter with garlic powder, parsley, and Italian seasoning.
Step 3: Slice French bread in half crosswise, then slice those halves in half again lengthwise, resulting in 4 pieces about 7-8 inches long and 3-4 inches wide.
Step 4: Brush garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of the bread. Bake for 6-8 minutes.
Step 5: Remove from oven and sprinkle a bit of mozzarella cheese on each piece. Return to oven and bake 4-5 minutes, until cheese is melted.
Step 6: Meanwhile, for crispier pepperoni, microwave pepperoni slices in a single layer on a plate for about 40 seconds (optional).
Step 7: Remove baking sheet from oven. Spread pizza sauce evenly on the bread, then add remaining mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, Parmesan cheese, and pizza seasoning if using.
Step 8: Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and starting to brown.
Step 9: If desired, drizzle any leftover garlic butter over the pizzas and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

Use a crustier loaf for extra crunch or whole wheat for a healthier option.
Add chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for more flavor and nutrition.
Try swapping pepperoni for cooked sausage, ham, or a vegetarian topping to suit your taste.
Brush the bread edges with a little olive oil before baking for an extra golden crust.

Storage

Store leftover French Bread Pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to keep the crust crisp, or microwave briefly if short on time.

How to Serve

A slice of bread pizza shown on a wooden board with a base layer of toasted bread that is golden brown with a soft, airy inside visible on the edge. On top, there is a thick layer of melted cheese that is bubbly and browned in spots. Cherry tomato slices are placed evenly on the cheese, their red color contrasting with the white melted cheese. The pizza is sprinkled with herbs and black pepper flakes, adding specks of green and black on the surface. Small drops of tomato sauce peek out beneath the cheese layer, and fresh green basil leaves are scattered on top. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make French Bread Pizza ahead of time?

You can assemble the pizzas ahead and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Just add fresh toppings and cheese, then bake as directed when ready to serve.

What can I use if I don’t have French bread?

While French bread works best for the classic texture, you can use similar crusty breads like Italian bread or sourdough. Avoid very soft or thin breads to maintain structure and crunch.

The Best French Bread Pizza Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 142 reviews

This Best French Bread Pizza recipe transforms a simple loaf of French bread into a crispy, flavorful pizza loaded with melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and a garlic-herb butter base. Perfect for a quick and easy homemade pizza night, this recipe features a buttery garlic crust and classic pizza toppings baked to golden perfection.

Author: Toney
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Pizza
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

Garlic Butter Mixture

4 Tbsp unsalted butter
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning blend

Pizza Base

1 loaf French bread (not a baguette)

Pizza Toppings

1 cup pizza sauce (more or less, to taste)
2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese (more or less, to taste)
2/3 cup sliced pepperoni (more or less, to taste)
1/4 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese (more or less, to taste)
Sprinkle of pizza seasoning (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Set aside while you prepare the ingredients.
Prepare Garlic Butter: Melt unsalted butter either in the microwave or on the stovetop. Mix the melted butter thoroughly with garlic powder, dried parsley, and Italian seasoning to create a flavorful garlic butter spread.
Slice Bread: Slice the French bread loaf in half crosswise, then cut those halves lengthwise once more, resulting in four pieces approximately 7-8 inches long and 3-4 inches wide, perfect for individual pizzas.
Brush Garlic Butter & Initial Bake: Generously brush the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of the bread pieces. Place them cut side up on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes until slightly toasted and aromatic.
Melt Mozzarella Base Layer: Remove the bread from the oven, sprinkle a little mozzarella cheese on each piece to form a base layer, then return them to the oven to bake another 4-5 minutes until the cheese melts nicely.
Crisp Pepperoni (Optional): For crispier pepperoni, arrange the slices in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for about 40 seconds. This step adds a nice texture contrast but can be skipped if preferred.
Add Pizza Toppings: Take the baking sheet out of the oven. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the melted cheese on each bread piece. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, the sliced pepperoni, grated Parmesan, and a sprinkle of pizza seasoning if using.
Final Bake: Bake the assembled French bread pizzas for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and begins to bubble and brown slightly, indicating the toppings are cooked and ready.
Serve: Optionally drizzle any leftover garlic butter over the hot pizzas just before serving for an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!

Notes

Use French bread, not a baguette, as it has a softer crumb and ideal size for pizza bases.
Adjust the amount of pizza sauce and cheese to your personal preference for moisture and cheesiness.
Microwaving pepperoni before adding it to the pizza crisps it up nicely but is optional.
Leftover garlic butter can be warmed and drizzled on top for extra flavor.
For a vegetarian version, omit pepperoni and add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
Make sure the bread is sliced evenly for uniform cooking.

Keywords: French bread pizza, easy pizza recipe, homemade pizza, garlic bread pizza, quick dinner