French bread pizza is a fun twist on a classic! Choose your favorite toppings and pair with protein for a quick and easy snack or lunch.
We have a weekly pizza night at our house.
We’ve perfected our Homemade Pizza Dough and Pizza Sauce, and we enjoy a balance of our classic favorite pizza recipes and new flavors.
The last time I made Homemade French Bread, Mr. Crumbs asked if I could turn that into pizza as well. The kids seconded this idea, and since I always have what I need to make pizza on hand, of course I tried it. And the results were delicious!
Can you make pizza on French bread?
Absolutely! By slicing a loaf of French bread in half, loading it up with toppings, and baking it in the oven, you have a yummy twist on that classic pizza flavor.
HOMEMADE FRENCH BREAD PIZZA
Homemade French bread pizza is a million times better than Stouffer’s could ever make. Not only is it SUPER easy, but also:
- You can customize it with whatever favorite pizza toppings you want, and it’s easy to make multiple French bread pizzas with different toppings for everyone’s favorites.
- It’s frugal! Make your own pizza bread for a fraction of the price of store-bought.
- French bread pizza comes together fast. We pretty much have pizza night down to a science, but if you aren’t there yet, this is a quick and easy version, especially if you make the bread ahead of time.
- Homemade French bread pizza has simple, real food ingredients.
- Plus, you can make it allergy-friendly by using einkorn (a possibility if you’re sensitive to gluten) and dairy-free cheese.
FRENCH BREAD PIZZA RECIPE INGREDIENTS
- French Bread. My Homemade French Bread is easy to make and perfect for this crusty French bread pizza recipe, but you can also use a loaf from the store. Note that French Bread is different from a French Baguette. You want the wider French bread loaves for this recipe.
- Shredded Cheese. I use the classic mozzarella here, but feel free to try different cheeses – cheddar or Parmesan cheese would also be yummy.
- Pizza Sauce. This is another one that’s super easy to whip up. We love our Easy Pizza Sauce Recipe, or you can use your favorite marinara sauce.
- Toppings. Pick your favorites! Pepperoni, sausage, olives, bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms, jalapeno, pineapple, Canadian bacon, etc. Kick it up a notch with fresh basil and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes!
Since I bake so much of my own bread, like loaves of French bread, I started milling my own flour. If you’re interested in milling your own grains or making your own flour, I highly recommend Mockmill. For my full review, check out this post.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST PIZZA BREAD RECIPE
Step 1: Make Homemade French Bread and let it cool completely. Alternatively, use a loaf of store-bought French bread. Slice the bread through the middle horizontally and place it face-up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
Step 2: Spread Pizza Sauce over the two pieces of bread. Top with cheese and desired toppings.
If you want meals like this to actually keep you full, start by asking, “Where is the protein coming from?” Choose toppings that contain protein and serve even more protein on the side. See below for ideas.
Step 3: Bake the pizza bread at 350F for about 15 minutes, and then place it under the broiler for about 2-5 minutes, or until the cheese is light brown and bubbling.
Step 4: Let the French bread pizza cool on the sheet pan for a couple of minutes before slicing it using a large chef’s knife. Be sure to cut the bread pizzas using one large cut and not drag the knife through the cheese!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be good for a few days before it gets soggy. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep it crisp.
FRENCH BREAD PIZZA RECIPE TIPS
- Since this recipe is for French bread pizza (emphasis on French bread), I’ve included the recipe for French bread below. Homemade French bread isn’t hard, but it can be time-consuming. Here’s how to make it SUPER fast and easy!
- Any time you make French bread, make a 2x or 3x batch. When it’s cooled, slice it horizontally and store it in the freezer. Double wrapping the loaf will keep out freezer burn and keep your bread super soft when it’s time to make pizza. Thaw the frozen bread at room temperature before making the pizza bread recipe.
- Homemade pizza sauce also freezes well, and you can pre-shred mozzarella cheese and store it in pizza-appropriate portions.
- Make sure the toppings are fully cooked. Since French bread pizza is only in the oven for a short time, you want toppings that are ready to go. Luckily, you can get those ready ahead of time, too, and refrigerate or freeze them as well.
All of these combined means EASY homemade French bread pizzas any night of the week!
FRENCH BREAD PIZZA RECIPE VARIATIONS
| Flavor | Additions | Result |
| BBQ Chicken Pizza Bread | Replace pizza sauce with BBQ Sauce and top with shredded cooked chicken and sliced red onions | Lightly sweet and tangy |
| Hawaiian French Bread Pizza | Top with ham or Canadian bacon and pineapple | Sweet and salty |
Buffalo Chicken Bread Pizza | Use blue cheese or Ranch Dressing instead of pizza sauce, top with cooked chicken, and drizzle with Buffalo Sauce | A balance of heat and creaminess |
| Chicken Pesto Recipe Pizza Bread | Use Spinach Pesto as the sauce, top with cooked chicken and a mixture of cheeses | Rich and savory |
| Supreme French Bread Pizza | Top with pepperoni, Italian sausage, green peppers, black olives, onions | A little bit of everything! |
WHAT TO SERVE WITH HOMEMADE FRENCH BREAD PIZZA
This simple pizza bread recipe is absolutely delicious on its own for a light meal or snack, and it’s also perfect served with any of these for a heartier meal:
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Skillet Pizza Veggie Pasta
- Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup
- Giant Italian Easy Meatballs
CAN A REAL FOODIE EAT FRENCH BREAD PIZZA?
French bread pizza is on the higher side when it comes to carbohydrates. It is on a base of bread, after all! It also contains some fat and protein, especially depending on your choice of toppings.
If you are watching your carbs, you might think French bread pizza is out the window. But real life includes all sorts of foods – no eliminating foods or food groups. Understand the nutrition of French bread pizza and how it fits with your macro goals, and supplement with protein so your meals are balanced.
That might mean making a slice of French bread pizza your side dish and loading up the rest of your plate with a lean protein like chicken breast, and plenty of produce, like a salad. You’ll have a balanced meal and still get to enjoy that pizza flavor!
RECIPE PIZZA BREAD FAQS
What’s the difference between French bread pizza and pizza bread?
I tend to think of them as the same thing: French bread pizza is like a traditional pizza, except instead of a pizza crust, you’re putting your toppings ON TOP of a loaf of French bread (which equals pizza bread). Some people also refer to pizza bread when they mean stromboli, where the dough is wrapped around the toppings.
How do you make French bread pizza in the microwave?
I haven’t tested the microwave method myself, but you could probably prepare the French bread pizza recipe below, and instead of putting it in the oven, put it in the microwave.
I don’t think I’d recommend this method, though, as the dough will get super soft and the toppings will get mushy…whereas the best pizza will have a firm dough and browned ingredients on top. If you can’t do an oven, a toaster oven would be your best bet, or you could try to make smaller French bread pizzas in the air fryer. You can even wrap the French bread pizzas in aluminum foil and cook them on the grill.
How do you make French bread pizza not soggy?
First, don’t cook it in the microwave! I also recommend starting with ingredients at room temperature (especially if you’re using bread that was frozen), and keeping the sauce to just a thin layer.
Can you use an Italian loaf, or make pizza baguette recipes instead?
Yes! You can use any similar-shaped bread to make pizza bread recipes, although each will give you a slightly different texture. Follow the recipe as written (except for making the bread), and you’re good to go! You can also use sliced Italian bread instead to make individual recipe pizza breads.
MORE PIZZA FAVORITES
Want more yummy pizza recipes for pizza night? Try some of these family favorites:
- Homemade Pizza Pockets
- Easy Pizza Bagels
- Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza
- How to Freeze Pizza Dough
- Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce
High Protein Recipes on Repeat
Download the top 15+ recipes that are on repeat in my house, making it easy to feed my family AND meet my protein goals!
French Bread Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French Bread
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese shredded (113g)
- 4 oz pepperoni (113g)
- Other toppings as desired
Instructions
- Make homemade French bread and let it cool completely. Alternatively, use a loaf of store-bought French bread. Slice the bread through the middle horizontally and place face-up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Spoon pizza sauce over the two pieces of bread. Top with cheese and desired toppings.
- Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes, and then place under the broiler for about 2-5 minutes, or until the cheese is light brown and bubbly.
- Let cool for a couple minutes before slicing using a large chef’s knife. Be sure to cut the French bread pizza using one large cut, and not drag the knife through the cheese!
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