Homemade French Bread Pizza Recipe: A Tasty Twist on Classic

Pizza nights just got a whole lot easier with this quick french bread pizza adventure!

Crispy baguettes provide the perfect canvas for melted cheese and zesty toppings.

Weeknight dinners demand simple solutions that pack maximum flavor.

Forget complicated prep and complicated ingredients – we’re keeping things deliciously straightforward.

Layers of marinara, gooey mozzarella, and your favorite protein turn plain bread into a mouthwatering meal.

Crisp edges and soft centers make this dish irresistible for hungry crowds.

Hungry?

Let’s transform that humble french bread into a pizza masterpiece you’ll want to devour immediately.

French Bread Pizza Keeps Crispness If Stored Correctly

• Store leftover French bread pizza in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the crispy texture intact.
• Warm slices at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness and melt cheese perfectly.
• Zap individual pieces for 30-45 seconds, but expect a softer texture compared to oven reheating.
• Skip freezing, as the bread's texture will become soggy and lose its delightful crunch.

Serve Alongside French Bread Pizza

• Pair with Crisp Italian Pinot Grigio: Light, zesty white wine cuts through the richness of cheese and pepperoni, refreshing your palate with each bite.
• Complement with Fresh Arugula Salad: Peppery greens dressed in lemon vinaigrette balance the pizza's heavy flavors, adding brightness and texture to the meal.
• Match with Spicy Marinara Dipping Sauce: Extra sauce enhances the pizza's flavor profile, providing a tangy counterpoint to the melted cheese and savory pepperoni.
• Serve with Chilled Craft Beer: Hoppy pale ale or light lager cuts through the fatty cheese, creating a perfect harmony of flavors that elevates the entire dining experience.

Basic Pizza Dough Tweaks

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace French bread with gluten-free baguette or cauliflower crust for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals. Use certified gluten-free pizza sauce and check cheese labels for gluten-free status.
• Vegetarian Option: Swap pepperoni with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. Add plant-based mozzarella for dairy-free alternatives and enhance flavor with fresh basil or spinach leaves.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Use portobello mushroom caps or zucchini boats instead of bread. Top with low-carb marinara sauce, mozzarella, and turkey pepperoni for a lighter meal option.
• Mediterranean Remix: Replace traditional toppings with feta cheese, sliced olives, diced tomatoes, and oregano. Drizzle with olive oil and add fresh arugula after baking for a Mediterranean-inspired pizza experience.

FAQs

• Can I use other types of bread instead of French bread?

Yes, you can substitute French bread with Italian bread, ciabatta, or even a baguette for a similar pizza-like experience.

• Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace pepperoni with vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, or spinach to create a vegetarian version.

• How can I make this recipe more kid-friendly?

Let children choose their own toppings or help spread the sauce and cheese, making it a fun cooking activity they’ll enjoy.

• Can I prepare the garlic butter mixture in advance?

Yes, you can mix the garlic butter ingredients ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, which makes preparation faster.

French Bread Pizza That’s Crunchy, Fast, And Flavorful

• Quick Weeknight Meal: Whip up this French Bread Pizza in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a delicious dinner without complicated cooking techniques.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily swap toppings to suit different tastes, making it a versatile recipe that keeps everyone happy and satisfied with minimal effort.
• Budget-Friendly Comfort Food: Transform simple French bread into a gourmet-style pizza using affordable ingredients, delivering restaurant-quality flavor at a fraction of the cost.
• Minimal Cleanup Delight: Requires only one baking sheet and a few simple utensils, ensuring a delectable meal without creating a mountain of dishes to wash afterward.

Items Used In French Bread Pizza

• French Bread: Crusty foundation for the pizza, provides a sturdy and flavorful canvas.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a golden, crispy surface when toasted.

• Garlic Powder, Dried Parsley, Italian Seasoning Blend: Classic herb and spice combination that enhances the bread's flavor profile, adds aromatic depth and traditional Italian taste notes.
• Notes: Look for fresh, high-quality dried herbs with vibrant color and strong aroma.

• No specific additional ingredients mentioned in the original recipe instructions.

French Bread Pizza Assembly

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 375°F.

Get ready for some serious pizza magic.

Step 2: Craft Garlic Butter Blend

• Softened butter
• Garlic powder
• Fresh parsley
• Italian seasoning

Step 3: Prepare the Bread Canvas

Slice your French bread in half lengthwise like you’re opening a delicious book.

Generously spread the garlic butter mixture across both halves, making sure every inch gets some love.

Step 4: Toast the Bread Base

Slide the bread onto a baking sheet and pop it in the oven.

Toast for 5 minutes until it gets slightly crispy and golden.

Step 5: Layer on the Pizza Goodness

• Spread pizza sauce evenly
• Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese
• Add pepperoni slices
• Dust with Parmesan cheese

Step 6: Add Optional Seasoning

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, shake some pizza seasoning over the top for an extra flavor punch.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Return the loaded bread to the oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden blanket.

Step 8: Serve and Devour

Slice your French bread pizza into perfect portions and serve immediately while it’s hot and irresistible.

French Bread Pizza – Key Notes

• Roast fresh garlic cloves before mixing into butter for a deeper, more complex taste that elevates the entire pizza.
• Swap pepperoni for grilled chicken, ham, or vegetarian options like bell peppers and olives to suit different dietary preferences.
• Toast the bread thoroughly before adding sauce to create a crispy base that holds up against moisture from sauce and toppings.
• Let cheese come to room temperature before adding to ensure even melting and a perfectly gooey texture.
• Assemble pizzas in advance and store in the refrigerator, then bake directly when ready to eat for a speedy weeknight dinner.

French Bread Pizza Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Savor the ultimate comfort of French Bread Pizza, a quick and delightful twist on classic Italian flavors. Crispy bread, zesty marinara, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 French bread

Butter and Seasoning:

• 4 tablespoons (4 tbsp) unsalted butter

Spices:

• 3/4 teaspoon (3/4 tsp) garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon (1/4 tsp) Italian seasoning blend

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature perfect for transforming French bread into a crispy pizza base.
2. Create a flavor-packed garlic butter blend by whisking together softened butter with aromatic herbs and garlic powder.
3. Carefully split the French bread horizontally, creating two long pizza platforms.
4. Generously coat each bread half with the prepared herbed garlic butter, ensuring complete and even coverage.
5. Position the bread on a sturdy baking sheet and briefly toast in the oven until the edges become slightly golden and crisp.
6. Retrieve the toasted bread and lavishly spread rich pizza sauce across the entire surface of each half.
7. Generously layer Mozzarella cheese to create a melty foundation, then strategically arrange pepperoni slices for maximum flavor impact.
8. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese and optional pizza seasoning to enhance the overall taste profile.
9. Return the prepared pizza bread to the oven and bake until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown landscape.
10. Allow the pizza to rest momentarily, then slice into convenient portions and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Customize toppings by swapping pepperoni with vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives for a vegetarian twist.
• Enhance flavor by using fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder for a more intense, robust taste.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like adding cheddar or provolone to create a more complex cheese profile.
• For a gluten-free version, replace French bread with gluten-free bread or cauliflower crust to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg