This quick and easy French bread pizza makes the perfect snack or lunch. Choose your favorite toppings for a classic pizza flavor with this frugal family favorite.
When my husband was in college, his diet consisted of Coke, Doritos, Hot Pockets, pizza from a local shop, and microwaveable French bread pizzas.
He was your typical picky eater before college too, when his mom would serve the same macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, and green beans on rotation just so that there was SOMETHING on the table he’d eat.
He’s come A LONG way since then and he’s really expanded his palate, but he’s still a huge fan of pizza in all its forms including Traditional Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Pizza Bagels, MINI Pizza Bagel Bites (because according to him, they’re totally different), Cast Iron Skillet Pizza, and even Dessert Pizza.
We’ve even perfected our Homemade Pizza Dough and Pizza Sauce with fresh tomatoes!
The last time I made Homemade French Bread, he asked if I could turn that into pizza as well. Since I always have what I need to make pizza on hand, of course I tried it. And the results were delicious!
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 with our favorite Pizza Dough Recipe, 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 French bread pizza recipe, but you can also use a loaf from the store.
- 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. Find my easy Pizza Sauce recipe here or 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!
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 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.
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 bubbly.
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.
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 pizza.
- 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!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH HOMEMADE FRENCH BREAD PIZZA
This simple pizza bread 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:
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).
Can you use an Italian loaf, or make baguette pizza bread recipes instead?
Yes! You can use any similar-shaped bread to make pizza bread recipes. 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 French bread pizzas.
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
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This quick and easy French bread pizza makes the perfect snack or lunch. Choose your favorite toppings for a classic pizza flavor with this frugal family favorite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2-4 1x
- Category: Breads
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 batch French Bread
- ½ – 1 cup homemade pizza sauce
- 4–8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 4–8 oz pepperoni
- 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!
Notes
- Any time you make French bread, make a 2x or 3x batch.
- When it’s cooled, slice 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 pizza.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza
- Calories: 410
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