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Homemade French Bread Pizzas. If you love the flavor of homemade pizza but want something simple, fast, and incredibly tasty, French bread pizzas are the perfect fix. This Garlic Butter French Bread Pizza starts with garlic butter brushed on the bread and topped with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni.
We have been making these for years in our home. When my kids were younger, we would have weekly pizza nights at home and we would make homemade pizzas and they could customize their own pizzas. They loved it!
When I wanted a quick and easy version, I would pick up a loaf of French bread from the grocery store and use that as a base for our pizzas. They loved the easy French loaf pizzas and I loved the easy clean-up and prep.
Why French Bread Pizzas are so popular:
- Quick and Easy: No kneading dough, waiting for rise times, or shaping the dough.
- Customizable: Use your favorite toppings—pepperoni, veggies, sausage—and customize individual pizzas.
- Great for Groups: Everyone can top their portion the way they like.
I tried a few different versions over the years but my ultimate favorite one is to combine the warm, toasty, buttery garlic bread with pizza. So, it starts off with brushing the French bread with a homemade garlic butter and toasting it in the oven for several minutes. Then, you top it with pizza sauce, freshly grated mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni or your toppings of choice.
French Bread Pizza Ingredients:
What ingredients do you need to make easy homemade French Bread Pizzas? You only need 6 ingredients.
- French Bread: Use a standard French bread found at the grocery store. If you want a softer French bread pizza, use a softer bread. If you want a crispier, heartier French bread pizza, use a sturdy baguette.
- Garlic Butter: Melt butter and mix in garlic and spread it on the French bread to give it extra flavor and savoriness.
- Pizza Sauce: Use a jarred pizza sauce or marinara sauce. Sprinkle with dried oregano for more robust flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Use freshly grated mozzarella cheese from a block for better melting. May add some freshly grated parmesan cheese as well.
- Pepperoni or other toppings: Pepperoni is a classic topping but add any of your favorites (sausage, onions, peppers, jalapenos, mushrooms, olives, etc).
- Optional Herbs and Seasonings: Sprinkle with red pepper flakes for some heat, dried oregano for warmth, and a drizzle of honey honey after baking for sweet heat.
How to make French Bread Pizza:
Soft French bread is a hearty alternative to pizza dough in this quick and easy pizza recipe. We upped the flavor ante by brushing homemade garlic butter over the french bread and then baking it until toasty and crispy. Then topped with a fresh pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and then baking until all melted and crispy.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Cut bread in half crosswise.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, garlic, and parsley in a bowl. Melt in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Brush the bread (cut side up) with garlic butter mixture, covering as much as possible.
- Bake for about 4 minutes.
- Brush pizza sauce all over toasted bread and then top with mozzarella cheese and then pepperoni or any other toppings you would like to include.
- Bake until cheese is melted, about 12-15 minutes. If you want it to be more toasted, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, grated parmesan cheese, and even a drizzle of hot honey if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):
Can I use any type of French bread?
Yes! A classic soft French loaf from the grocery store is easiest to slice. Just avoid ultra-hard or stale baguettes (unless you want super crispy results).
Do I need to toast the bread first?
Lightly toasting helps prevent sogginess. It’s optional but recommended for a crispier final result.
What if I don’t have garlic butter?
Simply combine melted butter with garlic (minced or powdered) and a pinch of salt —instant garlic butter. Or use olive oil and garlic as a lighter substitute.
How do I avoid soggy bread?
Pre-baking the bread with garlic butter is key. Also, don’t pile on too much sauce—start with a thin layer.
How do I reheat leftovers? The best method is placing leftovers back in the oven or toaster oven at 375 degrees for a few minutes to crisp them up again.
Storage:
Since these pepperoni french bread pizzas are made with cheese, they need to be refrigerated in a airtight container. I like to put them in a large gallon-sized Ziploc sealed bag. They can also be frozen.
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French Bread Pizzas
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French Bread (soft)
- 7 to 8 Tablespoons Butter (melted)
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 1 1/4 cups Pizza Sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 3 1/2 cups Mozzarella Cheese
- 3 ounces Pepperoni Slices
- 1/2 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Cut bread in half crosswise.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, garlic, and parsley in a bowl. Melt in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Brush the bread (cut side up) with garlic butter mixture, covering as much as possible.
- Bake garlic bread for about 4 minutes.
- Brush pizza sauce all over toasted bread and then top with mozzarella cheese and then pepperoni or any other toppings you would like to include.
- Bake until cheese is melted, about 12-15 minutes. Watch closely so it doesn't become too browned. If you want it to be more toasted, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Optional: sprinkle with red pepper flakes, grated parmesan cheese, and even a drizzle of hot honey if desired.
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
