This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.
French Bread Pizza combines my two loves: French Bread and Pizza all in one easy dinner! Crunchy, garlicky, and delicious, this easy pizza recipe has your favorite toppings, stays crunchy even with the sauce, and is the perfect dinner or appetizer!
We love that making French Bread Pizza easy and fast – no yeast required. It’s the perfect last minute easy dinner recipe, especially if you have leftover bread or if you want to use the second loaf in my two loaf homemade French Bread Recipe! It’s also a great appetizer for a party…or just because you love pizza.
French Bread Pizza Ingredients
- French Bread: use any kind you like, but it’s best to get a long loaf of french bread, not a round one. Sourdough bread or any kind of bread that’s a similar shape with a crusty outside is perfect for pizza.
- To make the bread crunchy so the pizza sauce doesn’t soak in you’ll need to toast it first, so I give it a slathering of garlic and olive oil to add tons of flavor.
- I talk more about sauce options in variations, but you need some sort of pizza sauce. I love my homemade no-cook pizza sauce but you can also use marinara sauce.
- Mozzarella cheese, of course! I recommend shredding your own cheese for optimal melting. (Packaged shredded cheese is coated with preservatives to keep it fresh, and thus doesn’t melt as well.)
Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions. See below the recipe card for even more information: process shots, variations, FAQ and more.
SAVE THIS RECIPE
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Expert Tips
- If you prefer a softer pizza (soggy, as some would call it), skip the first bake.
- You do not have to add the garlic to the oil.
- You can make French bread pizza in an air fryer! Do the pre-cook at 400°F for a few minutes then the same once the toppings are added. This is my favorite air fryer.
French Bread Pizza Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French Bread
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- ½-1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Assorted Toppings
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a cookie sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
- Slice the french bread in half horizontally. Place both halves face up on prepared cookie sheet. I sometimes cut it in half first to make cutting easier (making 4 halves).
- Crush garlic in a garlic press and stir into olive oil in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to rub the oil over the top of the bread.
- Bake the bread for about 4-5 minutes, or until the edges just get lightly brown and the top has formed a "crust" (don't let the top get too golden).
- Spread sauce evenly over bread. Top with cheese and toppings.
- Bake again for 5-12 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Slice and serve hot. Store leftovers in refrigerator.
Notes
- Don’t like garlic? Skip adding it to the oil.
- Want it softer? Skip the first bake.
Topping Ideas:
- Pepperoni, salami, sausage
- Olives, mushrooms, peppers, onions
- Ham, pineapple
- Reheat pizza in the oven or using a toaster oven or air fryer to keep leftovers crunchy.
Modify with AI
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Crazy for Crust. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization is strictly prohibited.
Did you try this recipe? Click here to rate the recipe below.
How to make French Bread Pizza Step-by-Step
- Slice French bread loaf in half horizontally. Just cut carefully so you don’t end up with it thick at one end and skinny at the other.
- I like to mix minced garlic with oil and brush it all over the top of the pizza then toast it for a few minutes, just until that “crust” forms on the top so the sauce doesn’t soak in.
- Add pizza sauce and desired toppings.
- Bake again until cheese is melted.
Variations
Making pizza is so easy and fun to try different variations for ANY time of day. I’m sharing delicious variations on how to easily switch up this one homemade pizza recipe. Use your favorite pizza toppings!
- Hawaiian Pizza: use pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese, top with ham and pineapple and bacon.
- Pesto: use pesto instead of sauce, top with mozzarella and your favorite toppings.
- BBQ Chicken: use BBQ sauce and mozzarella, then top with sliced red onions and leftover chicken.
- Breakfast French Bread Pizza: skip the sauce and top with scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon and cheddar cheese.
- Top your pizza with any veggies you like, bell peppers, tomatoes, olives, etc. Or even fresh basil, oregano, or parsley.
Other favorite pizza recipes:
This is the perfect easy 30 minute meal or Friday night dinner – use your favorite toppings. My kids love this!
