Your family will love this homemade French bread pizza! Crusty French bread is topped with garlic butter, pizza sauce and cheese then customized with your favorite toppings.

Sliced freshly baked French bread pizza topped with melted cheese and pepperoni on one half and tomatoes and basil on other half.

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Easy French Bread Pizza

If I ever ask my kids what they want for dinner, it’s PIZZA! We love making easy recipes like this French bread pizza, sheet pan pizza, pizza on a bagel recipe or pizza chicken roll ups. On Valentine’s we make heart shaped pizza!

We love to make French pizza bread recipe with my homemade French bread recipe. It’s much easier than making homemade pizza dough and the best part is customizing it. I make one half caprese garlic bread style and the other half with cheese and pepperoni.

Homemade French Bread Pizza Ingredients

The base of pizza with French bread requires only 5 simple ingredients. Then you can add any desired toppings that you prefer!

Ingredients for French bread pizza including French bread, marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella, garlic powder and butter on the counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • French bread: You can definitely buy french bread from the store, but I love to use homemade French bread or French baguette. My French bread recipe makes two loaves, so this pizza bread is absolutely perfect for using leftovers.
  • Butter: I like to spread butter and garlic on top of the bread, then bake it in the oven for a few minutes prior to adding the toppings. This keeps it crispy and adds flavor.
  • Garlic: I usually use garlic powder, but fresh minced garlic would absolutely work too. Just sprinkle it on top of the butter.
  • Pizza sauce: I make my own pizza sauce because it’s super quick and easy and there’s no cooking involved. If buying from the store, I love the DeLallo brand. You could also use pessto, white pizza sauce or Alfredo.
  • Cheese: You can’t have pizza without the cheese! My go-to is freshly shredded mozzarella.
  • Toppings: Anything from classics like pepperoni or sausage to ham and pineapple or your favorite veggies work.

How to Make French Bread Pizza

Showing how to make French bread pizza in a 4 step collage.
  1. Toast the bread. First, cut the loaf of french bread in half. Spread the butter on top of the bread and then sprinkle the garlic powder on top to make a garlic bread base. Bake for 3-5 minutes or until lightly toasted.
  2. Add toppings. Top with your favorite sauce, cheese and toppings.
  3. Bake. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  4. Serve. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Then cut into slices and enjoy while warm!
French bread pizzas fresh from the oven, cheese bubbling and edges crisp.

Best Pizza Bread Tips

  • Pre-bake the bread. Lightly toasting the bread first is my main tip to prevent the bread from getting soggy. Spread on the butter and garlic and bake the bread in the oven for about 5 minutes before adding the toppings.
  • Don’t overdo it on sauce. Adding too much sauce can cause the bread to get soggy as well. I add about 1/4 cup sauce per French bread half. Use the back of a spoon to evenly spread it on and leave about 1/2 inch room from the edges.
  • Prep toppings. If needed cook your meat first and if your veggies contain a lot of moisture, like mushrooms, cook them first or pat any wet ingredients dry.
  • Time saving. If in a hurry, quickly broil your bread, but watch it closely so it doesn’t burn or get too crispy.
Slices of French bread pizza served on a wooden cutting board with fresh basil garnish.

Want more great pizza recipes? Check out my crescent roll veggie pizza or any of best homemade pizza recipes. You may also love these French bread rolls!

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Sliced French bread pizza topped with melted cheese and pepperoni.

French Bread Pizza Recipe

4.97 from 56 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
This French bread pizza is simple, delicious and easy to customize with sauce, cheese and your favorite toppings. A tasty recipe that both kids and adults love.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 loaf French bread , sliced in half horizontally
  • ¼ cup salted butter , softened
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup pizza sauce
  • 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Optional toppings: Pepperoni, Sliced olives, Sliced peppers, Mushrooms, Red onions, Tomatoes, Basil, etc.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Spread 1/4 cup butter over each bread slice and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Place on a baking sheet. Bake 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
  • Spread 1/2 cup sauce evenly over the top of each slice. Add any additional toppings, if desired. Top with 1-2 cups cheese.
  • Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool for a few minutes, slice, and enjoy!

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Variations: You can get super creative with this recipe! Below are a few variation ideas that would be delicious.
Storage: Leftover pizza will keep in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in a warm oven or microwave for a few minutes. 

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 35mg, Sodium: 676mg, Potassium: 158mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 451IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 134mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Store leftover French bread pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a warm oven or the microwave until heated through.

To freeze cooked pizza, let it cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven.

You can also freeze pre-made pizza bread before baking. Press the toppings into the bread, flash freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Close up slices of French bread pizza topped with pepperoni, melty cheese and pepperoni.