The Best French Bread Pizza Recipe

Introduction

French bread pizza is a quick and delicious twist on traditional pizza, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Crispy on the outside with gooey cheese and savory toppings, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

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

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop, then mix in garlic powder, dried parsley, and Italian seasoning.
3. Step 3: Slice the French bread in half crosswise, then slice each half lengthwise again to create 4 pieces about 7-8 inches long and 3-4 inches wide.
4. Step 4: Brush the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Place the bread on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes until lightly toasted.
5. Step 5: Remove the bread from the oven and sprinkle a small amount of mozzarella cheese on each piece. Return to the oven and bake for another 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
6. Step 6: For crispier pepperoni, microwave the slices in a single layer on a plate for about 40 seconds (optional).
7. Step 7: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Spread pizza sauce evenly over each piece of bread, then top with remaining mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, Parmesan cheese, and pizza seasoning if using.
8. Step 8: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and starting to brown.
9. Step 9: If desired, drizzle any leftover garlic butter over the finished pizzas before serving for extra flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use a loaf of French bread that is soft and fresh, not too crusty, for the best texture.
• Try other toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives to customize your pizza.
• Substitute mozzarella with a blend of cheeses, such as provolone or cheddar, for different flavors.
• For a vegetarian option, skip the pepperoni and add extra vegetables or plant-based meat alternatives.
• Brush the bread with olive oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version.

Storage

Store leftover French bread pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the slices on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes to maintain crispiness. Microwaving can make the bread soggy, so oven reheating is recommended.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular sandwich bread instead of French bread?

While you can use sandwich bread in a pinch, French bread works best because it holds up well under the toppings and crisps nicely in the oven without becoming too soggy.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Use dairy-free butter or olive oil instead of regular butter, and substitute the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses with plant-based cheese alternatives designed for melting.

The Best French Bread Pizza Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 53 reviews

This Best French Bread Pizza recipe transforms classic French bread into a delicious, easy-to-make pizza loaded with mozzarella, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun snack, it combines crispy bread, savory garlic butter, and melted cheese for a satisfying meal everyone will love.

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

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Butter Mixture

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

Main Ingredients

• 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

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Set aside.
2. Make garlic butter mixture: Melt the unsalted butter either in the microwave or on the stovetop. Stir in garlic powder, dried parsley, and Italian seasoning blend until combined.
3. Prepare the bread: Slice the French bread loaf in half crosswise, then cut each half into two equal lengthwise pieces, giving you four pieces approximately 7-8 inches long and 3-4 inches wide.
4. Brush bread with garlic butter: Generously brush the cut sides of the bread with the garlic butter mixture. Place the bread cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes to toast and infuse the bread with garlic flavor.
5. Toast mozzarella cheese: Remove the bread from the oven and sprinkle a bit of mozzarella cheese on each piece. Return to oven and bake for another 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
6. Optional crisp pepperoni: For crispier pepperoni, microwave the pepperoni slices arranged in a single layer on a plate for about 40 seconds. This helps remove excess grease and crisps them slightly.
7. Assemble pizza toppings: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Evenly spread pizza sauce over each piece of bread, then add the remaining mozzarella cheese, the pepperoni slices, Parmesan cheese, and optionally sprinkle pizza seasoning on top.
8. Bake the assembled pizza: Return the loaded bread pizzas to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to brown slightly on top.
9. Optional finishing touch: If you have leftover garlic butter, drizzle it lightly over the finished pizzas for an extra burst of flavor. Serve warm.

Notes

• Use French bread, not a baguette, for the best size and texture.
• Adjust the amount of pizza sauce and cheese to your taste preference.
• Microwaving pepperoni before baking reduces grease and adds crispiness but is optional.
• Sprinkling additional pizza seasoning enhances flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
• Leftover garlic butter can be drizzled on top at the end for extra richness.
• Serve immediately for the best texture; leftovers can be reheated in an oven or toaster oven.

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