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.

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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!
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
- 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.
- Add toppings. Top with your favorite sauce, cheese and toppings.
- Bake. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Serve. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Then cut into slices and enjoy while warm!
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.
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
French Bread Pizza Recipe
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 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
- Classic: Pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni
- Caprese: Pizza sauce, cheese, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze
- Sauces: Alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, BBQ sauce or white pizza sauce.
- Protein: Sausage, ham, Canadian bacon or chicken.
- Veggies: Mushrooms, spinach, artichokes, onion, olives etc.
Nutrition
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.
Jay
I’ve been making French bread pizza for years but I never actually looked up a recipe until now. Making garlic bread first and then making the pizza on that made it 300% better. The fatter shorter French bread holds toppings better. I got mine at Walmart for a buck a loaf. Can’t beat that.
I Heart Naptime
Happy to hear the recipe was a success for you, Jay! Thanks for your comment and review.
Trish
Excellent…. Quick dinner and everyone raves… make it again!
I Heart Naptime
So happy it was a hit!
Lori
Easy, Quick, can please EVERYONE..
I Heart Naptime
So happy you enjoyed the recipe, Lori! :)
Yvonne
I followed this recipe exactly as instructed and the bottom of the french bread was burnt to a crisp. I have two more loaves and extra ingredients so I am going to make them again. I believe that it could be because I have a gas stove and it gets HOT! so I will try them again at 350 degrees and I am sure will have the right outcome this time. I am only posting this to warn others of the potential this happening to them. Not all ovens are built alike. Thank you for the good dinner idea.
Yvonne
I made this again at 350 and cut the time in half still following the actual recipe and they turned out beautiful. If you can add a note in your recipe about this so people are aware, I will definitely give you 5 stars instead of 4. Thank You!
Jamielyn Nye
Glad to hear it turned out a lower temperature for you! Thanks for sharing
Bailie Clark
Would this be good to freeze? Like make a bunch and freeze them?
I Heart Naptime
I think you definitely could! Just make sure to wrap in foil and then place in a freezer bag so that they stay fresh for longer.
Jan
Thanks for this recipe, it’s quick, easy, and delicious! I can’t wait to try more of your recipes :)
I Heart Naptime
You are so welcome, Jan! :)
Nellie Tracy
Love how simple this recipe is – and delicious. My kids love it and I love it even more because of how easy it is. Thank you!
wilhelmina
So yummy! This is a great family recipe that we all enjoyed!
Bee
This is a great idea and way to use up any leftover bread. This recipe will also be great to have at all times for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
These sound delicious! Dangerously good…
Catalina
How good this bread pizza looks! I am mouthwatering!
Jade Manning
These look delicious! Perfect for the weekend!!!
Beth Pierce
What a fun family dinner to make together and personalize how each sees fit! And delicious too!
Jen
I’m all about thicker crusts on pizza so these look perfect to me! So quick and easy.
Demeter
I love to cut these up and serve at parties. Always a crowd pleaser.
Cathy
This looks so absolutely perfect! Great for dinner or game days!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
I love all of the tips on variations for french breat pizza. I want to make them all.
Kimberly @ Berly’s Kitchen
This is one of my absolute favorite recipes. It’s easy to make, and everyone can add their favorite toppings. French bread pizzas remind me of being a teenager and my grandmother would stock her freezer with Red Baron French bread pizzas. I’d always have those at her house. Pinned this to my pizza board. Love the idea of making a margarita pizza. Yum! So good! :)
Jamielyn
I love how you can change it up with toppings too! Easy and delicious for everyone!