Description
This French Bread Pizza recipe transforms a classic loaf of French bread into a delicious, easy-to-make pizza loaded with garlic butter, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni toppings. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or casual gathering, this recipe offers crispy edges with a melty cheesy center and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Base
- 1 loaf French Bread (about 1lb, 20-21 inches long)
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pizza Toppings
- 1 ½ cups pizza sauce
- 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 25 pepperoni slices (or toppings of choice)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425° F (218° C) to prepare for baking the pizza slices.
- Prepare French Bread: Cut the loaf of French bread in half lengthwise, then cut each half into smaller slices. Arrange the slices on a large, light-colored baking sheet to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Make Garlic Butter Mixture: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine olive oil, butter, minced garlic, dried oregano, and salt. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and butter is melted. Lower the heat slightly if needed to avoid burning. Remove from heat once ready.
- Brush Bread with Garlic Butter: Using a pastry brush, generously brush the prepared garlic butter mixture onto each bread slice, making sure to cover the edges as well. Evenly sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the brushed slices for added flavor.
- Initial Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bread slices for 6-7 minutes. This step helps to crisp the bread and infuse it with the garlic butter and Parmesan flavors.
- Add Toppings and Bake: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Evenly spread pizza sauce over each slice, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese and pepperoni or your choice of toppings. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 10-13 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the edges of the bread are golden brown and crisp. For extra browning on top, broil at 450° F for about 1 minute, keeping close watch to prevent burning.
- Serve: Once baked, allow the French bread pizzas to cool slightly. Slice further if needed and serve warm for the best taste experience.
Notes
- You can substitute pepperoni with any favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or cooked sausage.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture or part-skim to reduce fat content.
- Adjust the amount of garlic in the garlic butter mixture according to your preference for more or less pungency.
- Broiling is optional and useful for achieving a crispier top layer but requires close attention.
