This 25-minute garlic bread pizza recipe is one of the easiest meals I’ve ever made, and the kids always love it! Turn a loaf of French bread into the perfect little pizzas, with homemade garlic butter, pizza sauce, and your favorite toppings. My family and I always have so much fun making these French bread pizzas on Friday nights, but they’re also a life-saver on busy weeknights.
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When I was a kid, I loved garlic bread pizzas because they just seemed more fun than regular pizza, and I think my kids feel the same way. I know they love being able to pick their own toppings–though it’s usually just pepperonis or extra cheese.
Even though this recipe is just as easy as the ones I had after school (way back when), this version definitely taste even better. I think making the garlic butter from scratch is the real secret!
Ingredients for Garlic French Bread Pizzas
- Bread: Use a loaf of French or Italian bread–soft, bakery-style loaves work best for these pizzas.
- Butter: Let the stick of butter sit out for a while to soften, so it’s easy to mash and mix with the other ingredients.
- Garlic: Use minced or pressed garlic. Fresh garlic cloves will have the most flavor, but those jars of minced garlic are great for convenience.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley is used for the garlic butter, and as garnish. You can use your preferred herbs instead (basil, tarragon, or Italian seasoning if you don’t have fresh herbs).
- Pizza Sauce: A store-bought jar of pizza sauce is easiest, or try making my homemade marinara sauce.
- Cheese: Low-moisture, freshly-shredded mozzarella is best for this recipe. I also mix in some Parmesan.
- Toppings: Use pepperonis, or your preferred toppings.
If you’re starting with frozen garlic bread, skip the garlic butter, then just add the pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings.
Topping Ideas
I love how versatile these easy garlic bread pizzas are–you can really get creative with the toppings, and make them however you like. Keep it classic with pepperonis, sausage crumbles, cheese, olives, or peppers. Or make them feel a little gourmet, with roasted garlic, feta crumbles, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, or anything else you can dream up!
How to Store and Reheat
These are best served fresh after baking, but they can be stored wrapped in foil (or in an airtight container) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven to make them crisp again.
Serving Suggestions
These French bread pizzas make a fun lunch, snack, or easy dinner! Since they’re garlic bread and pizza in one, they’re great as a quick meal without any extras. For the little ones, I try to add some applesauce or sweet potato chips to the plate so they get some fruits and veggies in too. For myself, I toss up a greek salad or cucumber tomato salad.
Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter:
- ½ cup salted butter softened
- 6 garlic cloves finely minced or pressed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
For the French Bread Pizzas:
- 1 pound French bread or Italian bread
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese shredded
- 15 pepperoni slices
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
- red pepper flakes optional
- chopped fresh parsley to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the garlic butter.½ cup salted butter, 6 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Cut the bread in half lengthwise to make 2 long pieces, just like garlic bread.1 pound French bread
- Spread half of the butter mixture on each piece of bread. Place the bread, cut side up, on the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and spread ¼ cup pizza sauce on each bread.½ cup pizza sauce
- Evenly divide the shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and parmesan between the slices of bread.8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese, 15 pepperoni slices, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and the edges of the bread are golden. Remove from the oven and let sit for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with red pepper flakes, parsley, and more parmesan, if desired. Slice and serve.red pepper flakes, chopped fresh parsley
Becky’s Tips
- A bakery style loaf with a soft crust is best for this recipe.
- For an uber fast dinner use frozen garlic bread in place of the bread and garlic butter mixture.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Garlic Bread Pizza Step by Step
Make the Garlic Butter: Preheat the oven to 400℉. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside. Next, in a small bowl, mix together ½ cup of softened salted butter, 6 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley.
Slice the Bread: Cut a loaf of French bread in half lengthwise, to make 2 long pieces.
Spread on the Garlic Butter: Spread half of the garlic butter mixture onto each piece of bread.
Bake: Place the bread, buttered side up, on the prepared sheet pan, and bake for 5 minutes.
Add the Pizza Sauce: Remove from the oven, then spread ¼ cup of pizza sauce on each piece of bread.
Add the Toppings: Evenly divide 8 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese, 14-15 pepperoni slices, and 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese between the 2 slices of bread. Then bake the French bread pizzas for 15-18 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and the edges of the bread are golden. Remove from the oven and let them sit for 2-3 minutes.
Serve: Garnish the garlic bread pizzas with red pepper flakes, parsley, and more parmesan, if desired. Then slice and serve!
