Description
This French Bread Pizza recipe is a quick and delicious way to enjoy a homemade pizza using a loaf of French bread as the crust. Topped with a flavorful pesto butter base, classic pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella, and your favorite toppings, it’s baked to melty perfection and finished with a broil to achieve a lovely golden top. Perfect for a cozy family meal or casual get-together, this recipe yields crispy, cheesy pizzas bursting with taste in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Base & Sauce
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt (or 1/4 teaspoon salt + garlic powder)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1 loaf French Bread (about 1 lb, NOT a baguette)
- 1 1/4 cups pizza sauce (more or less, to taste)
Cheese & Toppings
- 2 packed cups (8 oz.) low-moisture freshly shredded mozzarella cheese (more or less, to taste)
- Toppings as desired: pepperoni, cooked Italian sausage, sautéed mushrooms, diced peppers, olives, etc.
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese (on micro planer)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet (15×21 inches) with foil for easy cleanup. Set this aside as you prepare the pizza.
- Slice the Bread: Cut the French bread loaf in half lengthwise. Press down the cut side with your hands firmly to flatten it and prevent any mounding during baking. This step helps the cheese and toppings stay evenly in place on your bread base.
- Pesto Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Whisk in the basil pesto, dried oregano, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the top surfaces of each bread half with this pesto butter mixture. Place the bread halves, pesto side up, on the prepared baking sheet and bake them in the preheated oven for 6-7 minutes to start crisping the base and infuse flavor.
- Crisp Pepperoni: While your bread is in the oven, arrange the pepperoni slices in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate and microwave for about 40 seconds. This quick step removes excess grease and helps the pepperoni crisp up nicely on your pizza.
- Add Toppings: Remove the partially baked bread from the oven. Spread pizza sauce evenly over each slice, then scatter the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Add the par-cooked pepperoni and any other desired toppings like sautéed mushrooms, olives, or peppers. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over everything to finish.
- Second Bake: Return the topped bread pizzas to the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a beautiful golden brown finish, switch your oven to the broil setting and broil the pizzas on high for 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to ensure they do not burn.
- Enjoy: Remove from the oven, slice into servings, and serve while warm. Offer extra red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, or other favorite toppings on the side for guests to customize their slices.
Notes
- Use a loaf of French bread (softer and wider) instead of a baguette for the ideal crust base that holds toppings well.
- Microwaving pepperoni before adding to the pizza reduces grease and keeps slices crisp.
- Broiling at the end gives a beautiful browned top—stay attentive as it can burn quickly.
- Customize toppings freely based on preference and availability.
- For a vegetarian version, omit meat toppings and load with vegetables and extra cheese.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan adds a nice sharp finish that pre-grated cheese doesn’t provide.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
