French Bread Pizza Recipe

Introduction

French Bread Pizza is a quick and delicious twist on traditional pizza, using crispy toasted French bread as the base. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a fun snack, customizable with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread
• ¼ cup salted butter (softened)
• 1 clove garlic (minced, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
• 1 ½ cups pizza sauce
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• Toppings as desired (pepperoni, ham, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, pineapple, etc.)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450°F.
2. Step 2: Cut the loaf of French bread in half lengthwise.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter and minced garlic. Spread this mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
4. Step 4: Place the bread halves cut side up on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes, or until the bread is lightly browned and crisp on top.
5. Step 5: Remove the bread from the oven. Spread the pizza sauce over each half, then sprinkle with dried oregano.
6. Step 6: Top the sauce with shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and your choice of toppings.
7. Step 7: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, browned, and bubbly. For an extra golden top, broil for 1 to 2 minutes if desired.
8. Step 8: Let the pizzas cool for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for a stronger flavor.
• Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar or provolone for variety.
• Add fresh basil or a drizzle of olive oil after baking for extra aroma and taste.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free baguette or bread.

Storage

Store any leftover French Bread Pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes until warmed through and the crust is crisp. Avoid microwaving to keep the bread from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare French Bread Pizza ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the pizzas and refrigerate them uncovered for a few hours before baking. Just add extra baking time if cooking from cold.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Use vegan butter, plant-based cheese alternatives, and choose vegetable toppings to make a delicious vegan French Bread Pizza.

French Bread Pizza Recipe

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4.4 from 95 reviews

This French Bread Pizza recipe transforms a classic loaf of French bread into a crispy, cheesy, and customizable pizza that’s perfect for a quick meal or snack. With a garlic-butter base, flavorful pizza sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and your choice of toppings, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser baked to bubbly perfection in the oven.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base

• 1 loaf French bread
• ¼ cup salted butter (softened)
• 1 clove garlic (minced, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)

Pizza Toppings

• 1 ½ cups pizza sauce
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• Toppings as desired (pepperoni, ham, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, pineapple, etc.)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F to ensure it’s hot enough to crisp the bread and melt the cheeses perfectly.
2. Prepare Bread: Cut the loaf of French bread in half lengthwise, creating two long pieces with flat surfaces for the toppings.
3. Apply Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened salted butter with minced garlic or garlic powder. Spread this garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut side of each bread half. Place the bread halves cut side up on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes or until the surface is lightly browned and crisp.
4. Add Sauce and Seasoning: Remove the bread from the oven and spread the pizza sauce evenly over the toasted surface. Sprinkle the dried oregano over the sauce for added flavor.
5. Top and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the sauce. Add your choice of toppings such as pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, peppers, or pineapple. Bake the assembled pizzas for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned. For an extra crisp top, broil for 1-2 minutes if desired, watching carefully to avoid burning.
6. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the pizza cool for 5 minutes before slicing into pieces. This resting time allows the cheese to set slightly for easier serving.

Notes

• Use a good quality French bread loaf for the best texture and flavor.
• Feel free to customize the toppings according to your preference or dietary needs.
• Broiling at the end is optional but adds a nice golden crust to the cheese.
• To save time, you can prepare the garlic butter mixture in advance.
• Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or toaster oven to maintain crispness.

Keywords: French bread pizza, easy pizza recipe, quick pizza, garlic bread pizza, homemade pizza, baked pizza, mozzarella pizza