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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!
Featured with this recipe
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 pizza 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 in French Bread Pizza
The beauty of homemade pizzas is how versatile they are! All kinds of pizza toppings, cheeses, marinara sauce and crust options. For the easiest version of this pizza, here’s what you need:
- Loaf of French bread – one large loaf of French bread will easily feed 6-8 people.
- Butter – about six tablespoons butter, melted (you can also use olive oil if desired)
- Fresh parsley – finely chopped
- Garlic powder – about a teaspoon
- Pizza sauce – use your favorite bottled sauce, homemade sauce or other marinara sauce. Add more to taste.
- Pepperoni – as much as you like!
- Mozzarella cheese – about two cups or more.
- Optional Toppings: Peppers, olives, onions, pineapple, sausage, parmesan cheese, mushrooms, red peppers, spinach, red pepper flakes, ham, fresh basil, artichokes, or ground beef.
How to Make French Bread Pizza
- First, spread on some garlic butter and bake. This gives the pizza an AMAZING flavor.
- Next, add a layer of pepperoni. This keeps the bread from getting soggy.
- Then, add the sauce.
- Add cheese and some more pepperoni.
- Last of all, bake and serve.
Tips for Avoiding a Soggy Crust
I love using this French bread pizza 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 also helps so it doesn’t get soggy. You will get lightly crisp French bread pizza every time!
Fun Variations to Try
Margherita French Bread Pizza: 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 French Bread Pizza: 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 French Bread Pizza: 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.
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
More Delicious Pizza Recipes
If pizza is on your menu weekly, like it is at my house, check out more of our delicious pizza recipes.
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
- 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!
I had the components for this exact pizza left from making a grilled pizza sammie so I thought I would try it out. I had cut the recipe in half since I only had about half loaf left. Very clever using the pepperoni as a “sog deterrent” Really does work great! I used my fresh parsley and added my fresh basil on top. I also used the broiler for the same time as Worn808 did. Otherwise, the cheese wasn’t melting. I will definitely be keeping this recipe and using different toppings! Tysm for sharing!
Very good. I never thought about buttering and then garlic over the butter and browning first. Makes a big difference. Everyone loved it.
This is a delish recipe! Thank you for sharing it!! Can it be made ahead and frozen, then baked???? I’m alone, and making a whole loaf, there is always waste. I’ve tried to scale the recipe down and it’s not the same.
We haven’t tried it that way, but definitely let us know how it goes if you try it!
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.
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!
Really crispy, yummy, a hit in my family! 👪
Looking very delicious and very healthy. I will definitely try this recipe and I will definitely let you know. Thank you for sharing this post.
Thanks for the great tips and oregano on top and made the garlic butter with fresh garlic!
Excellent! I made it with hot pepper cheese and exactly to the recipe. Very good!
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!
This recipe worked perfectly, though I ended up putting the finished pizzas under the broiler for about 1 1/2 minutes. The temp suggestions and all the preparation tips were spot on. Fabulous. Crispy exterior to the bread, nice interior texture. Perfect. Don’t ever buy frozen and nuke it again.
This French bread pizza is great! I used just a little less garlic powder, I used a box grater to shred my cheese, and Prima Della Pepperoni from Walmart. I used French bread from King Soopers. Follow the directions and you will not be disappointed. It is great reheated.
This is the right way! My family loved it. Thank you for a great and easy recipe!
This is a total family favorite! I love how this method keeps it crisp and delicious, no sogginess here!
Yum!! I love french bread pizza and so does my family! It’s perfect because we can all pick our favorite toppings!
Yum! We love French bread piazza for lunch after church. My husband always asks for wings with his pizza, any chance you have a recipe for buffalo wings? ??
Yes, we do! Boneless Buffalo Wings
I read that it is better if you place down the toppings first, than the sauce and cheese. kepsthem from burning or drying out
I haven’t tried your recipe yet but, the pictures appear that you hollowed out your French Bread first. Can you tell me if that’s what you did?
I actually just pressed down on the soft part of the bread so I could fit more toppings. I didn’t remove any bread from the middle. Hope this helps!
This is by far the easiest and best recipe! Thank you!!!
Thanks Jayson! So glad you liked it!
I love your technique! I’m thinking it’s the perfect dinner after a busy Monday. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you like it, Sarah! Thanks you for the 5 stars! 🙂
Enjoy your recipes . I love to cook . Please keep them coming .
Comments like this make all the work worth it! Thank you so much!