Homemade French bread pizza is a quick and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With a crispy garlic butter French bread base and customizable toppings, you can create a unique and satisfying pizza in 30 minutes or less!

Whether you’re looking for a casual family dinner or a quick weeknight meal, homemade French bread pizza is a fun and easy dinner.

Easy French Bread Pizza Recipe

Homemade French bread pizza is a delicious and satisfying dinner that can be made quickly and easily. French bread pizza is a great recipe for family dinner, casual gatherings with friends, or a quick weeknight meal.

I grew up with Stouffer’s French Bread Pizza and this recipe is so much better! Plus, making it yourself allows you to control the quality of ingredients and adjust the recipe to suit your tastes and dietary preferences.

Need a vegan pizza? No problem! Swap in veggies for toppings and your favorite plant-base cheese.

This easy homemade French bread pizza recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd or for an easy dinner option any night of the week.

Looking for a from-scratch recipe? Try my Same Day Cast Iron Skillet Pizza recipe!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Quick and Easy – This whole recipe comes together in 30 minutes! While I make my pizza sauce from scratch, you can use store bought and make this recipe even easier.

Customizable – You can customize this pizza recipe to be exactly what you want! Pick your favorite toppings, sauce, cheese, and more. This is also a great build-your-own recipe for when you have guests.

Family friendly – If you want a fun and delicious way to get the whole family cooking, French bread pizza is it! This is a great hands-on project for kids, too. The perfect delicious recipe to bond over!

How to Make French Bread Pizza

This recipe couldn’t be easier to make any night of the week!

Tools Needed

• Baking Sheet
• Mixing Bowl
• Saucepan
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board

Ingredients and Substitutions

• French bread. You’re looking for the large 16 oz French bread in your grocery store’s fresh bakery.
• Pizza sauce. My recipe calls for a bit of olive oil, garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and crushed tomatoes. It’s simple and classic, but you can also use store bought.
• Garlic butter. A bit of salted butter, garlic, parsley, basil, and parmesan spread on the bread before the pizza toppings really takes this pizza to the next level.
• Whole milk mozzarella. Always grate your own cheese! Pre-shredded cheese is coated in cellulose to keep it from sticking together, but it really doesn’t melt well.
• Fresh mozzarella. The combination of fresh and shredded mozzarella makes these pizzas so cheesy!
• Pepperoni. I always prefer using pepperoni with natural casings so you get those glorious pepperoni cups.

The Process

1. Make the sauce. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan. Once the oil is shimmering, add the minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes and sugar and season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer 15-20 minutes.
2. Mix the butter. Combine the room temperature butter, parsley, basil, garlic, onion powder, parmesan and pepper in a small bowl. Mix until well combined.
3. Prep the bread. Cut the French bread loaf in half lengthwise and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Spread the butter evenly between bread halves. Bake for 5 minutes.
4. Make the pizza. Remove the bread from the oven and top with pizza sauce, shredded cheese, fresh mozzarella, and pepperoni. Return to the oven for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melty and pepperoni is crispy. Serve right away.

Recipe Tips

French bread pizza truly is so easy to make, but here are all my best tips for making the perfect pizza every time.

1. Choose a sturdy French bread that can hold up to the weight of the toppings. The freshly baked bread from your local grocery store is always best!
2. Use a light hand when adding toppings to avoid overwhelming the bread and making it soggy.
3. Bake the pizza on a sheet pan in the top 1/3 of the oven for a crisp crust.
4. Broil for extra crispy pepperoni. You can use the broiler towards the end to get crispy pepperoni, but keep a close eye on the pizza while baking to prevent burning.
5. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving to prevent the cheese and toppings from sliding off.

Storage Instructions

By following these best practices, you can store your French bread pizza safely and enjoy it for days to come!

Once the French bread pizza has cooled down, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator. Be sure to refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacteria growth. You can also store the pizza in an airtight container. Store for up to 3 days.

Make sure to reheat your pizza thoroughly before enjoying.

Best Ways to Reheat Leftover French Bread Pizza

Long gone are the days of reheating pizza in the microwave until it’s rubbery! You can still have fantastic French bread pizza, even days after making it. Here are all my favorite ways to reheat leftover pizza:

1. The Air Fryer. This is my favorite method for reheating pizza! The circulation of hot air get the pizza crispy and melty again without drying it out. Reheat at 400 F for 5-6 minutes.
2. Toaster oven. This is how I used to cook those old school Stouffer’s French bread pizzas! The toaster oven is great for re-heating pizza. Set to 375 F for 7-8 minutes.
3. Oven. Throw your pizza on a sheet tray and into a 400 F oven for 10 minutes. You’ll have hot and gooey pizza in no time.
4. Skillet. Preheat a skillet over medium heat and add the pizza to the skillet with 1 tablespoon of water. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes. The water evaporates and leaves the crust crispy. The only problem with this method is you can only do so much pizza at a time!

French Bread Pizza FAQs

Can you use store bought sauce to make French bread pizza?

Absolutely! Pick your favorite brand and use that if that’s easier on you. I always prefer to make my own pizza sauce and my recipe only takes 20 min! You could also swap in pesto for marinara.

What are the best toppings for French Bread Pizza?

The sky is the limit here! I love a classic pepperoni pizza, but you can also use toppings like sausage, thinly sliced onions, olives, mushrooms, and thinly sliced bell pepper. Choose your favorites, but take care not to overload the pizza.

How do you keep the French bread from getting soggy when making pizza?

Make sure to be a bit light handed with the sauce and toppings. If you’re using fresh mozzarella, be sure to pat it really dry before using. Make sure to use a thick pizza sauce that isn’t watery.

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When the pizza craving hits, give this French Bread Pizza recipe a try! It’s perfect for game day, family dinners, and more. If you do give it a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss a new recipe! You can also snap a photo & tag @JENNYGOYCOCHEA on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your SMF creations!

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