• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Dash for Dinner
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Dinner
  • Slow Cooker
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • About
  • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Dinner
    • Slow Cooker
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • About
    • Disclaimer
      • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Dinner Recipes

    French Bread Pizza

    Published: Sep 20, 2023 · Modified: Jan 28, 2024 by Dorothy Bigelow · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    A rectangular slice of pizza on a sheet of parchment paper.
    A hand taking a rectangular slice of pizza from a baking sheet.
    Two halves of French Bread Pizza on a baking sheet.

    This French Bread Pizza recipe is the easiest way to have a pizza night! Ready in less than 20 minutes and picky eater approved.

    Oh, and don't forget to try my easy recipe for English Muffin Pizzas next time.

    Slices of rectangular pizza, topped with pepperoni slices.
    Jump to:
    • Reasons To Love This Recipe:
    • Ingredients
    • Cooking Instructions
    • Pizza Topping Ideas
    • Storing and Reheating
    • Air Fryer Instructions
    • Variations
    • More Easy Dinner Ideas
    • French Bread Pizza

    One of my family's favorite meals is this easy French Bread Pizza. I mean, it's pizza, so of course it's going to be a hit!

    Cheesy, crusty, and chewy, this pizza bread is the perfect solution to busy weeknights. All you need is a quick trip to the grocery store to grab a loaf of French bread, some pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings - then you've got everything you need to skip the drive-thru and have dinner at home instead.

    Reasons To Love This Recipe:

    1. It's perfect for pizza night. All you need are a few simple ingredients, and you're ready to get started.
    2. Quick and easy. Don't have enough time for homemade pizza dough, but you're craving something more than frozen pizza? This recipe is the perfect solution!
    3. Customizable. No need to agree on the toppings, cheese, or sauce. Each family member can pick their favorite combo, then bake and enjoy together.
    4. Easy meal. French bread pizza is perfect for busy weeknights - just assemble, bake, and add an easy side like a bagged salad or fresh veggies and dip.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients needed to make French bread pizza: pizza sauce, shredded cheese, pepperoni, garlic butter, and French bread.
    • Bread: You'll want a large, crusty loaf of bread. French bread is most typically used, but Italian bread or Sourdough works well too.
    • Garlic butter: This can be purchased, OR you can make your own. I've included a quick and easy recipe in the recipe card for you!
    • Pizza sauce: Use your favorite brand of pizza sauce, homemade pizza sauce, or marinara sauce.
    • Shredded cheese: I recommend using a pre-shredded blend of cheese (pizza or Italian blend) for convenience. If you want to shred your own, use 2 ¼ cups of shredded mozzarella + ¼ cup of shredded parmesan cheese.
    • Toppings: You can use classic pepperoni or any combination of your favorite pizza toppings.

    Check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and the quantities needed. 

    Equipment

    • Large baking sheet: Since French loaves are quite large, you'll need a large baking sheet in order to fit both sides at once. A standard half-sheet pan works (we like USA brand sheet pans).
    • Parchment paper: This makes for such an easy cleanup! I buy pre-cut sheets to avoid waste and make dinner time simple.

    Cooking Instructions

    Two halves of a French Loaf on a baking pan.
    Spreading pizza sauce on French bread halves.

    Step one: Cut the loaf of French Bread in half and spread with softened garlic butter (or brush with melted garlic butter).

    Bake in a 450ºF (232ºC) oven for 8 minutes, or until lightly toasted.

    Step two: Spread each half with ½ cup of your favorite pizza sauce.

    Topping the Pizza Bread

    French bread topped with shredded cheese.
    Two halves of French Bread pizza topped with pepperoni.

    Step three: Top each half with approximately 1 ¼ cups of shredded cheese, for a total of 2 ½ cups used.

    Step four: Add your favorite pizza toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, green pepper, sausage, bacon, etc.

    Baking

    Two halves of French Bread pizza on a baking sheet.
    Pizza bread cut into slices on a baking sheet.

    Step five: Bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

    Step six: Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

    A hand taking a slice of French Bread pizza.

    Pizza Topping Ideas

    Whether you want to go for the classic pepperoni pizza vibe or get seriously creative, you can achieve your flavor dreams with custom toppings.

    • Pepperoni slices
    • Crumbled Italian sausage
    • Bacon bits
    • Mushrooms
    • Green peppers
    • Red onion
    • Fresh basil
    • Sundried tomatoes
    • Olives
    • Spinach
    • Artichokes
    • Roasted red peppers
    • Caramelized onions
    • Red pepper flakes
    • Feta cheese
    • Fresh mozzarella slices
    • Pineapple
    Rectangular slices of pizza piled up on parchment paper.

    Storing and Reheating

    Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Reheating: The best results come from reheating the leftovers in an oven or an air fryer (350ºF for 4-10 minutes), but you can also reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

    Air Fryer Instructions

    If you have an oven-style model air fryer (I like the Cuisinart Air Fryer) you may be able to fit the French bread halves in fairly easily. If you have a basket model, you will have to cut the pieces to size and work in batches.

    1. Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF.
    2. Cut the bread to size (if needed) and spread with garlic butter.
    3. Cook in the air fryer for 2-4 minutes, or until toasted.
    4. Remove from the air fryer and top with pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and the toppings of your choice.
    5. Return to the air fryer and cook for another 4-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

    Note: Since air fryers have a fan inside, some models blow the cheese and toppings around significantly. This can be avoided by using a toaster oven-style option instead.

    Half of a loaf of French bread pizza on a sheet of parchment paper.

    Variations

    BBQ Chicken: Use barbecue sauce in place of the tomato sauce, sprinkle on a blend of mozzarella and gouda cheeses, and top with shredded cooked chicken and sliced red onions.

    Margherita: Use your favorite pizza or San Marzano tomato sauce, then top with fresh mozzarella slices and bake as directed. When the French bread pizza is removed from the oven add chopped fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

    Using deli rolls: For individual serving size, you can easily make this recipe with deli roll halves (or check out my recipe for English muffin pizzas).

    More Easy Dinner Ideas

    • English muffin pizzas on a sheet pan.
      English Muffin Pizzas
    • A skillet with chicken covered in a creamy sauce.
      Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Chicken
    • A wooden spoon scooping out a portion of hamburger helper.
      Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni (Hamburger Helper)
    • Lifting a square of casserole from a baking dish.
      John Wayne Casserole

    If you loved this recipe for French Bread Pizza, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.

    A rectangular slice of pizza topped with pepperoni and basil.

    French Bread Pizza

    This French Bread Pizza recipe is the easiest way to have a pizza night! Ready in less than 20 minutes and picky eater approved.
    4.34 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Main Dishes
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes
    Cooling time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 33 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 409kcal
    Author: Dorothy Bigelow

    Equipment

    • Baking sheet
    • Parchment paper

    Ingredients

    • 1 loaf French bread split lengthwise
    • ¼ cup garlic butter* softened or melted
    • 1 cup pizza sauce
    • 2 ½ cups shredded cheese, pizza blend or 2 ¼ cups mozzarella + ¼ cup parmesan cheese
    • Toppings of choice pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, crumbled bacon, etc.

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 450ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment.
    • Place both halves of the French bread on the baking sheet, and spread with softened garlic butter (or brush melted garlic butter).
      Two halves of a French Loaf on a baking pan.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Remove from the oven.
    • Spread each half with ½ cup of pizza sauce.
      Spreading pizza sauce on French bread halves.
    • Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese blend on each half of the French bread.
      French bread topped with shredded cheese.
    • Add any toppings of your choice (pepperoni, mushrooms, etc).
      Two halves of French Bread pizza topped with pepperoni.
    • Bake in the oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
      Two halves of French Bread pizza on a baking sheet.
    • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
    • Slice into wedges and serve immediately.

    Video

    Did you try this recipe?Tag me at @dashfordinner and share your photos!

    Notes

    *Garlic butter recipe: Combine ¼ cup of softened (or melted) butter with 2 cloves of finely minced garlic (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder) , ¼ teaspoon of dried parsley, and a pinch of salt. 
    Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF, cut the bread to size (if needed), and spread with garlic butter. Cook in the air fryer for 2-4 minutes, or until toasted. Then remove them from the air fryer and top with pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and the toppings of your choice. Return to the air fryer and cook for another 4-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 744mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 413IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 3mg

    Please note that some of my blog posts here at Dash for Dinner may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. Please see my Disclaimer for more information.

    More Dinner Recipes

    • Lifting mini pepper nachos from a sheet pan.
      Bell Pepper Nachos
    • A slow cooked filled wtih cooked meatballs, a thin sauce, and several pepperoncini peppers.
      Mississippi Meatballs
    • A slow cooker filled with shredded chicken and topped with pepperoncini peppers.
      Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken
    • Scooping cooked potatoes, green beans, and smoked sausage from a slow cooker.
      Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes

    Reader Interactions

    4.34 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Dorothy!

    Dash for Dinner was started when I had my first child, as an effort to help other families who were struggling with cooking delicious meals while balancing it all. 

    Our recipes are quick, easy, and created with the busy home cook in mind.

    Read more about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • A chip being dipped into a cold salsa and cream cheese taco dip.
      Layered Cream Cheese and Salsa Dip
    • A bowl filled with cabbage and ground beef stir fry.
      Inside Out Egg Roll
    • A hand holding a halved baby potato encrusted with parmesan cheese.
      Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
    • A bowl of maple glazed carrots, with a large serving spoon taking a portion out.
      Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021-2023 Dash for Dinner on the Feast Plugin

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.