Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
French Bread Pizza recipe
French bread pizza has a wonderfully generous balance of soft bread and golden, cheesy topping. A little garlic butter sits underneath the sauce, with pepperoni over the mozzarella. Cutting the loaf into slices makes it easy to share while the cheese is still warm and stretchy.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Original yield
- Serves 6
- Ingredients
- 6 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Pork
- Cuisine
- American
- Cooking method
- Baking · Baked & roasted
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 30 minutes or less
- Dish type
- Pizza
A few quick notes
1. Flatten the cut bread slightly
Slice the loaf lengthwise and flatten a little before spreading the cut sides with butter.
2. Toast before topping
Give the buttered bread its first toasting stage before adding sauce and cheese.
3. Use a thin sauce layer
Spread sauce evenly over both halves without making the layer too thick.
Get to know the ingredients
Soft French bread
Use the listed soft loaf, or try Italian bread or ciabatta.
Garlic butter
Spread it over the cut sides before the first toasting stage; regular butter is also listed.
Freshly grated mozzarella
Grate the cheese yourself for this topping.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 6. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 7 steps completeMake room for French Bread Pizza recipe
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Melt and lightly brown
Finish baking on the upper rack until the cheese melts and begins to brown, then slice and serve.
A little more help as you go
Use the upper oven rack
Keep the rack in the top third as directed to help protect the bread's bottom.
Lower the oven after toasting
Reduce the oven temperature after the first toast before baking the topped bread.
A few questions you might have
Do I sauce the bread before toasting?
Toast the buttered bread first, then spread on sauce and add toppings.
Why flatten the bread?
The directions say a slight flattening helps prevent the edges from curling.
Can I use regular butter?
Yes, regular butter is the alternative listed for garlic butter.
What other bread is suggested?
You can use Italian bread or ciabatta if French bread isn't available.
Where should the oven rack be?
The top third of the oven is specified for the bread's cooking stages.
Any more cooking tips?
Tips: Buy the bread ahead of time. I think it’s best to buy the bread ahead of time, seal it in a plastic bag, and use it in a day or two. This helps the crust soften so it doesn’t dry out in the oven. Place the oven rack in the top third of the oven to prevent the bottom of the bread from burning. Flatten the bread. I like to flatten the loaf of bread slightly to prevent the edges from curling. I borrowed my bread flattening method from Serious Eats French Bread Pizza. Shred your own cheese. I highly recommend using freshly grated mozzarella. It melts better. Pre-shredded cheeses contain an anti-caking agent that can result in a slightly grainy texture. Toast the bread first. Make sure you toast the bread before you add the sauce and toppings. This helps prevent it from becoming soggy! If you can’t find French bread, Italian bread or ciabatta will work as well. Just don’t overbake or they will be very hard! Make less. If you’re looking to make a smaller serving, you can easily make half or even a quarter of a pizza. You can freeze the leftover bread and use it another time! Storage: Baked French bread pizza will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I recommend reheating in the oven or air fryer for best results.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: thereciperebel.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.