Feel like trying something a little different from classic pizza? Then the French Bread Pizza might be perfect.
This delightful dish is a perfect fusion of crispy French bread and gooey cheese, topped with a rich tomato sauce, and your favorite pizza toppings. It’s a simple easy meal, customizable, and deliciously satisfying for an easy dinner or easy lunch idea.
Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a quick meal option or a pizza lover seeking a new twist on a classic favorite, this homemade French Bread Pizza recipe is your ticket to a delicious meal. Then, keep this bagel pizza and this Texas toast pizza in mind for the next pizza recipe you try!
Or, you could have a go at Pizza Monkey Bread for a brilliant tear-and-share option with some pasta. And maybe you didn’t grow up making French bread pizza and are instead nostalgic for School Lunch Pizza?
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Loads of variations: Just like with any pizza recipe, you can change the toppings to suit your tastes and everyone gets what they like.
- Make-ahead recipe: Make the basics before you are ready to bake them and just put everything together for a quick lunch.
- Ready in only 20 minutes: With a little prep and a short cooking time, this delicious recipe will be ready in less than 20 minutes. Perfect for a last-minute pizza night
Ingredients Needed
I’ve highlighted a couple of ingredients below with some relevant notes. Aside from this, the ingredients needed are pretty basic.
- Bread – French or Italian bread or baguette is the best option for this type of pizza bread as it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Buy two so you can also make this cheesy pull-apart bread recipe too!
- Cheese – You can’t make the best pizza without mozzarella and this French bread pizza is no different.
- Sauce – Pizza sauce is the other must-have ingredient and also means the pizza bread is very easy to make.
Substitutions
Sometimes substitutions are necessary because of ingredients that are unavailable or needed for dietary restrictions. Here are some suggestions that can help:
- Bread: If you can’t find French bread or baguette, ciabatta is a great alternative due to its similar texture and chew. For a healthier twist, you can opt for whole-grain or multigrain bread.
- Cheese: If mozzarella isn’t available or if you want to try something different, provolone or Monterey Jack cheese would make a good substitute. For a vegan option, use a plant-based cheese of your choice.
- Sauce: In the absence of pizza sauce, marinara or a simple tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs would work just as well. For a change of pace, try using pesto or white garlic sauce as a base.
Variations
Don’t limit your creativity to what you’d usually find on a pizza. If you’re looking for a lighter, vegetarian version, consider swapping the meat for a colorful array of bell peppers, sweet corn, and caramelized onions.
Those who love seafood might want to top their pizza with anchovies, capers, and fresh arugula after baking. If you’re after a gourmet twist, a sprinkle of blue cheese, pear slices, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze would make a tantalizing combination. Remember, the sky’s the limit when you’re making your own pizza!
How to Make French Bread Pizza
This pizza bread is broken into 2 components:
- Prepare the bread
- Add the toppings and cook
Some recipes tend to saute the green peppers first to make them a bit softer but we like them crunchy so I add them raw. The choice is up to you!
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*
STEP 1: Mix the garlic butter. Combine melted butter with garlic powder.
STEP 2: Cut the bread and coat it then cook. Slice the bread in half lengthwise, then generously coat it with garlic butter. Bake it at 450 degrees for 4 minutes until golden and fragrant. (Image 1&2)
STEP 3: Add the pizza sauce. Spread approximately 1 ½ cups of pizza/marinara sauce on top (or slightly less than a 14 ounce jar, saving the remainder for dipping). (Image 3)
STEP 4: Add the cheese and toppings. Top it off with some delicious cheese and your favorite toppings for the perfect finishing touch. Toppings can include: pepperoni slices, fresh mozzarella, Italian sausage, and pre-shredded cheese. Top with parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes. (Image 4 & 5)
STEP 5: Cook and serve. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and bake for 6-7 minutes on a large baking sheet, or until the cheese has melted and turned a delicious golden brown. For an extra touch, consider broiling for a minute to enhance the flavors.
Recipe Pro Tips
- Pre-toast the bread: Before adding the toppings, it’s a good idea to toast the bread a little first. This will help to keep it from getting too soggy from the sauce.
- Customize your toppings: This is your pizza, so feel free to get creative with your toppings. Don’t feel like you need to stick to the traditional family’s favorite toppings. Think outside the box!
- Use fresh ingredients: The fresher your ingredients, the better your French Bread Pizza will taste. Nothing beats the taste of fresh basil, tomatoes, or mozzarella cheese.
- Watch the oven: The pizza can go from perfectly cooked to burned in a matter of minutes. Keep a close eye on it, especially in the final stages of baking.
- Serve immediately: French Bread Pizza is best served immediately while the cheese is still hot and gooey. If you need to save some for later, it’s best reheated in an oven or toaster oven to keep the bread crispy.
- Add a salad: Pair your pizza with a simple side salad for a complete meal. The crisp, fresh salad contrasts nicely with the rich, hearty pizza.
Recipe FAQs
A couple of steps can help prevent your French Bread Pizza from turning soggy. First, ensure you pre-toast your bread before adding the sauce and toppings. This creates a barrier that keeps the sauce from seeping into the bread. Additionally, go easy on the sauce. Too much can make the bread soggy.
Yes, you can assemble your French Bread Pizza ahead of time, but it’s recommended to add the toppings and bake just before you’re ready to serve. This will ensure the french bread loaf
remains crisp and the toppings fresh.
Substitute mozzarella with plant-based cheese and ensure your bread and sauce are vegan-friendly. You can top your pizza with a variety of vegetables, and for extra protein, add some plant-based meat substitutes.
Creating homemade pizza sauce is straightforward and allows you to control the flavor profile to suit your tastes. Start with a can of crushed tomatoes. Sauté minced garlic in olive oil
until fragrant, then add the tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity. Let it simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes to meld the flavors. Cool it before use on your French Bread Pizza. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it until it reaches your desired consistency.
What to Serve with French Bread Pizza
French Bread Pizza pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of sides. Consider serving it with a crisp Caesar salad, tangy coleslaw, or a fresh Greek salad. Steamed vegetables or roasted Brussels Sprouts can also add a nutritious touch to your meal. For a more indulgent side, try some garlic knots, focaccia bread, or cheese-stuffed breadsticks.
And of course, don’t forget a cold drink like iced tea, soda, or a glass of your favorite wine. Remember, the best accompaniment to any meal is the company of loved ones, so gather around the table and enjoy!
Storage
Storing leftover French Bread Pizza is simple and can extend your enjoyment of this delicious meal. Allow the pizza to cool completely, then place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
You can also freeze the leftover pizza for longer storage – just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer bag before freezing to preserve its quality. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator if frozen, then warm in a preheated oven until heated through, which will help maintain the crispness of the bread.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Once you make French Bread Pizza, you’ll get the urge to try more French-inspired recipes, I just know it! Here are a few suggestions to help you out.
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe
French Bread Pizza
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 loaf french bread
- 14 ounces pizza sauce You more than likely won't use all of this but you can use the extra sauce for dipping.
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella
Toppings Used in This Recipe – Amounts Vary Based on Preference
- pepperoni cut in to fourths to make triangles
- canadian bacon cut in to small triangles
- "meat lovers" cooked bacon and sausage crumbles found in the frozen section (warmed in microwave before adding to pizza)
- black olives sliced
- green pepper
- Italian dressing seasoning packet optional for pizza topping flavor
Instructions
- Melt butter and garlic powder together in the microwave.
- Cut bread in half, lengthwise and brush on melted garlic butter on to each slice of bread. (You may not use all of this and you can set aside any remaining to use later.)
- Bake at 450 for 4 minutes. This is key to keeping the bread toasty instead of getting soggy.
- Top baked bread with about 1 ½ cups of pizza sauce – dividing the sauce between the two. (This will more than likely be little less than a 14 ounce jar of pasta sauce, and you can save the rest for dipping.)
- Top each piece of sauced bread with 2 cups of cheese and favorite toppings.(We did one half of bread with cheese and pepperoni and the other half with the remaining topping ingredients listed above.)
- Bake at 450 for 6-7 minutes or until cheese has melted and is a nice golden brown. TIP: For a golden brown cheese, you may want to turn the oven to "broil" and watch carefully as it can turn golden brown, quickly!
- If desired, sprinkle on a little of the Italian dressing seasoning packet for added flavor.
- Slice french bread in to 1-2 inch pieces.
- Warm and use any leftover pizza sauce as marinara sauce for dipping the slices.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Phyllis says
I am definitely making this. I make french bread for my husband and now I can make my favorite meal pizza. Thanks for the great recipes.
Jessica says
Awww yay! So glad that you like the idea of it! Thank you so much, I appreciate it!
Abby says
My new favorite easy dinner that my kids actually eat! They are fun to make too.
Toni says
Such a fun pizza recipe! My kids enjoyed that they can customize the toppings! Thanks for the recipe!
Sha says
This French bread pizza is so interesting! And it is filled with flavors. Kids love to add cheese on top!