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 french bread pizza.

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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 pizza bread, 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 bread pizza 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!

French bread pizza ingredients on 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 helps keep it crispy and also adds extra 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. Just mix the ingredients together! If buying from the store, I love the DeLallo brand.
  • Cheese: You can’t have pizza without the cheese! My go-to is freshly shredded mozzarella.

Pizza Topping Ideas and Variations

Below are a few variation ideas and pizza toppings that would be delicious.

  • Classic: Pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni make the best pepperoni pizza recipe!
  • Caprese: Pizza sauce, cheese, tomatoes, basil and balsamic glaze
  • Alfredo: Alfredo sauce, cheese and chicken
  • Pesto: Pesto sauce, cheese and other toppings like chicken, tomatoes or spinach
  • Spinach and artichoke: White pizza sauce, cheese, spinach and artichokes
  • BBQ chicken: BBQ sauce, cheese, chicken and other toppings like peppers, onions or bacon
  • Ham & pineapple: Pizza sauce, cheese, ham and pineapple
  • Buffalo chicken: Buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, cheese and chicken
  • Veggie: Pizza sauce, cheese and any of your favorite veggies
  • Cooked meats: Sausage, chicken, meatballs, ham or Canadian bacon.
  • Produce: Banana peppers, olives, spinach mushrooms, red onions, red bell peppers and tomatoes.
  • Garnish: Fresh basil, balsamic glaze, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, olive oil.

How to Make French Bread Pizza

Now I know that you can buy this pizza bread in the frozen freezer section (I definitely have before), but it is so much more delicious to make your own.

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. Slice and enjoy. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Then cut into slices and enjoy while warm!
Pizza bread on a baking sheet with toppings.

Best Pizza Bread Tips

To prevent sogginess and create the best pizza bread, follow these tips for a pizza night win!

  • 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.
French bread pizza on a wooden board.

Recipe FAQS

Why is it called French bread pizza?

In this case, this recipe is called French bread pizza because I treat a loaf of French bread just as I would pizza dough. I top it with everything I would put on my pizza, and therefore turn it into French bread pizza.

What is French bread pizza made of?

This recipe is made with a loaf of French bread, garlic butter, pizza sauce, and cheese. You can top it with whatever you like.

How to store and reheat pizza?

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. 

How to freeze pizza?

Yes! Cool completely then wrap in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and store in a freezer safe container up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven from frozen.

You can also freeze pre-made pizza bread! Just press the toppings into the bread, flash freeze and then once frozen store in a freezer safe container. Bake from frozen adding a few minutes to baking time.

Sliced french bread pizza on cutting board.

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!

More Delicious Pizza Recipes

Slice of french bread pizza.

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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Video

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 the butter over each bread slice and sprinkle with garlic powder. Place on a baking sheet. Bake 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
  • Spread the sauce evenly over the top of each slice. Add any additional toppings, if desired. Top with 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.
  • Classic: Pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni
  • Caprese: Pizza sauce, cheese, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze
  • Alfredo: Alfredo sauce, cheese, and chicken
  • Pesto: Pesto sauce, cheese, and other toppings like chicken, tomatoes, or spinach
  • Spinach and artichoke: White pizza sauce, cheese, spinach, and artichokes
  • BBQ chicken: BBQ sauce, cheese, chicken, and other toppings like peppers, onions, or bacon
  • Ham & pineapple: Pizza sauce, cheese, ham, and pineapple
  • Buffalo chicken: Buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, cheese, and chicken
  • Veggie: Pizza sauce, cheese, and any of your favorite veggies
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.

Slice of french bread pizza.