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This homemade French Bread Pizza features a crispy crust toasted with garlic butter and topped with melted cheese and pepperoni. It’s a go-to dinner for my family on busy weeknights. My kids love it!
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As quickly as you can defrost and heat up a frozen pizza, you can make a fresh French bread pizza with all of your favorite toppings. It’s perfect for nights I don’t have much time to prepare dinner, or if I have a group of teenagers coming over to the house. Did I mention it’s also cheaper to make than getting takeout?
Ingredients You’ll Need
- French Bread
- butter
- fresh parsley – chopped
- garlic powder
- pizza sauce (or more to taste)
- pepperoni
- Mozzarella cheese
Assembling Your Pizza
- Make Garlic Butter: Melt butter and add garlic powder and fresh parsley.
- Slice and Bake French Bread Halves: Slice bread lengthwise and brush the garlic butter on the bread. Bake for 5-8 minutes at 400 degrees until the bread is a golden brown.
- Layer Toppings: First, add a layer of pepperoni. This keeps the bread from getting soggy. Then a thick layer of pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and more pepperoni.
- Bake: For another 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Fun Variations to Try
- Margherita Style: Classic and simple, top the French bread with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil leaves for a taste of Italy.
- Combo Pizza Style: To make a “combination” pizza, add pepperoni, cooked Italian sausage, green bell peppers, black olives, mushrooms, onions, and a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza: Swap traditional pizza sauce for barbecue sauce, add cooked chicken, bacon, red onions, and cilantro, then finish with a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- Buffalo Chicken: Toss cooked chicken in buffalo sauce and layer it on the bread with blue cheese or ranch dressing, diced celery, and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar.
- Pesto Veggie: Spread pesto sauce on the bread and top with a colorful mix of sliced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and shredded mozzarella.
- Hawaiian French Bread Pizza: Create a tropical flair with ham, pineapple chunks, and mozzarella cheese for a sweet and savory combination.
- Caprese French Bread Pizza: Combine sliced fresh tomatoes, basil leaves, and fresh mozzarella on the bread, then drizzle with balsamic glaze for a delightful Caprese-inspired pizza.
Tips for Avoiding a Soggy Crust
I love using this recipe when making pizza but for a long time I didn’t understand why it was always soggy and not crispy and cheesy. Here are some tips I found that really help:
- Layer on some of your toppings FIRST, then add the sauce. I like to do a layer of pepperoni and then spread the sauce over it.
- Pre-baking the bread. You will get lightly crisp French bread pizza every time!
5-Star Reviews
“This was a hit with my 7-year old and 1-year old. I loved it also. I ate mine with a side salad. It was very filling and the tips to prevent the bread from getting soggy worked out great. Quick, easy, cheap, and a delicious meal. I will definitely be making this again. Thank you!” -Stephanie
“Best pizza I ever had! While we were eating everyone was saying it was better than Pizza Hut! Love the tip about putting the pepperoni next to the bread first instead of adding the sauce directly to the bread.” -Sherry
“Best French bread pizza I’ve ever made according to 4/4 eaters tonight. The garlic butter sent it over the top! Also easy to customize with toppings after the basic idea of toast, non-sauce layer, sauce, and then toppings. Appreciate the basic ratios, too! Thanks so much! Will definitely make again!” -RC
French Bread Pizza
Video
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter
- fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 loaf French Bread
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or more to taste)
- 1/2 cup pepperoni (or to taste)
- 2 cup Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients and preheat oven to 400-degrees.
- In a small bowl, melt butter. Add garlic powder and fresh parsley. Slice French bread lengthwise and brush garlic butter mixture onto the bread.
- Place French bread on a large baking sheet, open-side up. Bake 5-8 minute or until bread is nice and golden-brown.
- Remove bread from oven and reduce oven heat to 350-degrees. Place half of the pepperoni in a layer over the bread.
- Spread pizza sauce over the pepperoni.
- Add cheese and remaining pepperoni.
- Bake for another 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley and oregano. (optional)
- Cut into slices and serve immediately.
Notes
- To avoid soggy pizza, layer on some of your toppings FIRST, then add the sauce.
- I like to do a layer of pepperoni and then spread the sauce over it.
- Pre-baking the bread also helps so it doesn’t get soggy. You will get lightly crisp French bread pizza every time!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While the recipe uses traditional French bread, you can substitute with Italian bread, ciabatta, or even whole-grain baguettes. Softer supermarket-style loaves work best for holding toppings without becoming too hard or chewy.
Absolutely! For a vegetarian version, use plant-based toppings like vegetables and meat substitutes. For a vegan option, use dairy-free cheese alternatives and ensure your bread and butter substitutes are vegan-friendly.
Store leftover French bread pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a 350°F oven until warmed through to maintain a crispy crust.
Yes, you can freeze assembled, unbaked French bread pizzas. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze. When ready to eat, bake from frozen at 375°F until heated through and the cheese is melted.
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Made this tonight and what a delicious treat! Recipe saved and will make it again! Thank you.
Wonderful recipe. It came out great. The pizza was easy and simply DELICIOUS 😋
This is VERY good! Love the garlic butter on the bread then toasted. Will keep this for future use. Hubby loved it too!