Crispy Homemade French Bread Pizza Recipe: A Family Favorite

Weeknight dinners just got easier with this mouthwatering French bread pizza that combines crispy bread and melted cheese in one delightful bite.

Crusty French bread serves as the perfect canvas for a quick and satisfying meal.

Layers of savory marinara sauce, gooey mozzarella, and your favorite toppings create a simple yet irresistible dish.

Forget complicated recipes and lengthy prep times – this pizza comes together in minutes.

Each slice delivers a crisp exterior with a soft, cheesy interior that will have you coming back for more.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility, letting you customize toppings to suit your taste.

What Makes French Bread Pizza So Quick and Tasty

• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients effortlessly to match your taste preferences, creating personalized pizzas in minutes.
• Quick Family Meal: Transform simple French bread into a crowd-pleasing dinner that satisfies both kids and adults with minimal cooking skills required.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Use leftover ingredients or affordable pantry staples to craft delicious pizzas without breaking the bank, making it a wallet-friendly meal option.
• No-Fuss Preparation: Minimal steps and basic ingredients mean you can whip up a tasty meal with little effort, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.

What You Need to Make French Bread Pizza

• French Bread: Soft and crusty bread perfect for pizza base.

• Pizza Sauce: Classic tangy sauce that brings delicious flavor.

• Pepperoni Slices, Cooked Sausage, Shredded Chicken: Juicy and flavorful protein options.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy and melty cheese that ties everything together.

• Turkey Bacon: Crispy and lean bacon alternative.

• Fresh Spinach: Light and nutritious green vegetable.

Optional Toppings: Optional additional ingredients to customize your pizza.

How to Assemble French Bread Pizza at Home

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 375°F, getting ready for some delicious pizza magic.

Step 2: Slice the Bread

Grab your French bread and slice it lengthwise, creating two perfect pizza canvases.

Place these halves on a baking sheet with the cut side facing upward.

Step 3: Sauce It Up

Generously spread pizza sauce across both bread halves, creating a flavor-packed foundation.

Step 4: Craft Pepperoni Paradise

• Pepperoni slices
• Cooked sausage
• Turkey bacon

Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese over the toppings.

Step 5: Create Chicken Spinach Delight

• Shredded chicken
• Fresh spinach leaves
• Turkey bacon

Cover with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Step 6: Add Extra Flair

Feel free to toss on any additional toppings that make your taste buds dance.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly golden blanket and the bread edges turn wonderfully crispy.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Pull out your masterpiece, let it cool for a moment, then slice into delectable pieces.

Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Smart Tips for Crispy, Cheesy French Bread Pizza

• Select fresh, crusty French bread for the best texture and flavor, ensuring a crispy base that holds toppings perfectly.
• Pat chicken and spinach dry before adding to prevent soggy bread and maintain a crunchy bottom crust.
• Grate cheese fresh for superior melting and more even coverage across your pizza bread surface.
• Layer ingredients strategically, placing heavier items like meat closer to bread and lighter ingredients like spinach on top to prevent uneven cooking.
• Replace mozzarella with plant-based cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version that still delivers rich, satisfying flavor.

How to Store and Heat Up French Bread Pizza

• Store leftover French bread pizza in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm slices in a preheated 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness and melt the cheese evenly.
• Heat pizza slices for 30-45 seconds for a quick meal, but expect a softer bread texture compared to oven reheating.
• Skip freezing this pizza since the bread's texture will become soggy and lose its original crispy quality.

What Goes Well with French Bread Pizza

• Pair Zesty Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich pepperoni and sausage flavors, cutting through the cheese's richness while enhancing the pizza's savory profile.
• Craft Cool Side Salad: Toss together a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan to balance the pizza's heaviness, adding freshness and a crisp texture contrast.
• Serve Crisp Beer Companion: Choose a hoppy pale ale or amber lager that matches the pizza's robust meaty tones, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the melted cheese and spicy toppings.
• Create Tangy Dipping Sauce: Whip up a quick garlic aioli or spicy marinara sauce for extra flavor depth, allowing guests to customize their French bread pizza experience with additional zesty notes.

French Bread Pizza Flavor Combos You’ll Enjoy

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace French bread with gluten-free baguette or cauliflower crust for celiac or wheat-sensitive individuals.
• Vegetarian Version: Swap meat toppings with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms. Add crumbled feta or plant-based cheese for protein.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Use zucchini boats or portobello mushroom caps instead of bread. Top with traditional pizza ingredients and low-moisture mozzarella.
• Vegan Alternative: Substitute dairy cheese with cashew or almond-based cheese. Use plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh for toppings, maintaining similar pizza flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of bread for this recipe?

Yes, while French bread works best, you can also use ciabatta, Italian bread, or sourdough for similar results.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use whole grain bread, lean meats like chicken or turkey, reduce cheese amount, and add more vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! You can partially prepare these pizzas ahead of time, wrap them, and bake when ready to eat. They’re perfect for quick lunches or dinners.

• Can I freeze these French bread pizzas?

Yes, you can assemble the pizzas, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking.

French Bread Pizza Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Homemade French Bread Pizza brings classic Italian flavors dancing across a crispy canvas of golden bread. Melted cheese, zesty sauce, and premium toppings create a quick weeknight meal that connects comfort and gourmet in one delightful slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 loaf French bread (from Walmart)
• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) pizza sauce
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation Components:

• 1 knife for cutting bread

Optional Garnish:

(none specified in original recipe)

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to a moderate temperature of 375°F, preparing the baking environment for crispy, melted pizza perfection.
2. Slice the French bread lengthwise into two equal halves, positioning them cut-side up on a clean baking sheet for optimal topping distribution.
3. Generously distribute pizza sauce across the bread surface, ensuring an even layer that will enhance the overall flavor profile.
4. Craft the pepperoni and sausage variation by layering cooked sausage, pepperoni slices, and turkey bacon strategically across one bread half.
5. Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni and sausage topped bread, creating a melty foundation.
6. On the second bread half, arrange shredded chicken, fresh spinach leaves, and additional turkey bacon to create a complementary flavor combination.
7. Complete the second pizza variation by covering the toppings with the remaining mozzarella cheese, ensuring full coverage.
8. Add any desired extra toppings to personalize the pizzas according to individual preferences.
9. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for golden, bubbling cheese and crisp bread edges.
10. Once perfectly cooked, remove the French bread pizzas from the oven and allow them to cool briefly before slicing into manageable portions.
11. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the delightful blend of crispy bread and melted toppings.

Notes

• Toast the bread lightly before adding sauce to prevent sogginess and enhance crispiness.
• Customize toppings by using leftover rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked proteins for quick meal prep.
• Pat spinach leaves dry to prevent excess moisture from making the pizza soggy during baking.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like adding parmesan or provolone for extra flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1280 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 72 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg