French Bread Pizza

Name: Oven Baked French Bread Pizza
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 loaf French bread; 2 garlic cloves (minced); ¼ cup salted butter (melted); 1 cup pizza sauce; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; About 24 pepperoni slices

French Bread Pizza is crispy, cheesy, and super satisfying. Just grab a loaf of French bread, pile on your favorite toppings, and dinner is done in about 25 minutes!

Should You Make This?

Time: 25 Minutes (10 minutes to prep and 15 minutes for baking)

Ingredients: 6 simple ingredients: a loaf of bread, garlic, butter, pizza, mozzarella, pepperoni

Ease: Super easy — no dough, no fuss, a perfect lazy dinner option.

Ingredients & Substitutions

French Bread – A standard loaf of French bread works great, but Italian bread or sub rolls also work well for smaller, individual pizzas.

Garlic – Fresh minced garlic adds bold flavor, but you can substitute with ½ to 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if that’s what you have on hand.

Butter – Melted butter helps the bread get crispy and adds flavor. You can swap in olive oil for a slightly different taste or dairy-free option.

Pizza Sauce – My favorites are Mezzetta Pizza Sauce (sweet, spicy, and robust) and Rao’s Homemade Arrabbiata Sauce (spicy and flavorful).

Mozzarella Cheese – You can use shredded mozzarella or a pre-made pizza cheese blend.

Pepperoni Slices – Classic and delicious, but you can also use cooked sausage, chopped veggies, or whatever toppings you love.

Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below

How to Make French Bread Pizza

Step 1 | Prep the Bread

Slice the French bread in half lengthwise. If needed, shave a bit off the bottom so it sits flat.

Step 2 | Toast the Bread

Mix melted butter and minced garlic, then spread over the cut sides. Place on a baking sheet, cut-side up, and bake at 425°F for 5–10 minutes.

Step 3 | Add the Toppings

Spread pizza sauce over the toasted bread, then top with mozzarella and pepperoni. Bake for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden.

Step 4 | Let Cool and Slice

Let the pizzas cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve.

Tips & Notes

Use Parchment Paper: It makes cleanup a breeze and prevents the cheese from sticking to the pan.

Customize it: Swap pepperoni for sausage, veggies, or whatever toppings you love—this is a great clean-out-the-fridge meal.

Freezer-friendly: Assemble and freeze unbaked for a quick meal later (see freezing instructions below).

Make It Ahead of Time!

Prep: Assemble the pizzas (skip toasting the garlic bread step), then freeze them unbaked.

Store: Place on a baking sheet or cutting board and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Cook: Preheat oven to 400°F. Unwrap and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bread is heated through.

Common Questions

Do I have to toast the bread first?

Toasting isn’t required, but it helps prevent sogginess and makes the bread even crunchier.

What kind of bread works best?

A standard loaf of French bread works great, but you can also use Italian bread or sub rolls for smaller, individual pizzas.

Have you tried this recipe yet? I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below or tag @MeganVsKitchen on social.

Oven Baked French Bread Pizza

French Bread Pizza is the quick and easy way to get crispy, cheesy, homemade pizza on the table in about 25 minutes—no dough required!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 25

Servings: Servings

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Slice the French bread in half lengthwise. If needed, you can carefully shave a little off the bottom to help it sit flat on the baking sheet.
Stir the melted butter and minced garlic together in a small bowl. Spread it evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
Place the bread halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, just until lightly toasted. This helps keep the bread from getting soggy once the toppings go on.
Take the bread out of the oven and spread a layer of pizza sauce over each half. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, then add your pepperoni slices or any toppings you like.
Pop the pizzas back in the oven and bake for 10 to 14 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the bread are golden brown.
Give the pizzas a few minutes to cool before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Notes

To Freeze for Later:

Assemble the pizzas (skip toasting the garlic bread step), then freeze them unbaked. Place on a baking sheet or cutting board and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To Bake from Frozen:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Unwrap and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is heated through.

Nutrition

The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.

Author: Megan

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