Delicious quick and easy French bread pizza is perfect for that quick evening meal or a party. And at only 20 minutes, it's faster than a speeding pizza dude.
Introduction
We all need a fast and easy dinner at times, but there is no law against it tasting great. You have seen French bread pizza but never really thought about doing it yourself. So let's see how simple it really is to do.
Many home cooks worry about pizza dough. They will use premade; they will buy dough at the store or pizza joint. Just use French bread. So easy.
This is perfect for the family that can't agree on toppings or for parties, cut up as finger food.
My Rating
I do love pizza, but this was just excellent and very little work. Wifo was a solid five also.
🥖Bread
You need nice french bread. This will be half the taste, and bland white bread just won't do. You need to know your baker.
Don't buy the cheap stuff. You want something that tastes outstanding, which comes from some nice gluten development.
Some French bread will have a harder crust. I would opt for a bit softer crust for this recipe, which will usually be sold in plastic instead of paper bags. Definitely, do not buy the baguettes that are sold uncovered.
🥣Sauce
For my "cooking for two" meal, I used about ½ cup of pre-made pizza sauce for the two 9-inch pizzas. If you're doing a large amount for a party, it may be worth making your own.
My homemade sauce recipe: One 6 oz can of tomato paste and 6 oz water. 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 clove garlic, and ½ teaspoon oregano. This will make about 1 ½ cups of sauce, which is three times what I use here for two 9 inch pizzas, so you can judge from there. It will freeze well.
Be careful about the amount of sauce. The bread will act like a sponge and absorb it. You want some taste, not a sloppy mess. A little too little is better than too much here.
👨🍳Toppings
I'm traditional, so Italian sausage and pepperoni for me. Please note in the pictures that even my normal size pepperoni is cut in half.
Remember, your space is limited, and toppings tended to get out of control, so only one or two will do. Also, don't use anything that will release a lot of fluid, like pineapple.
⏰How Long To Bake?
About 10 minutes at 375° convection or 400° conventional oven. The browning of the cheese will tell you when done. A larger pizza will take slightly longer.
📖Pizza Recipes
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
Preheat oven to 375° convection or 400° conventional. While preheating, you should have time to do the preparation of the pizza.
Slice a loaf of French bread horizontally. I used a 9-inch baguette, but any length should be fine. A sub bun would work, also. But the quality of the bread will determine the taste.
Prep toppings. I browned ½ pound of Italian sausage and drained well. Plus, I cut some pepperoni in half.
Top with sauce. It took about ½ cup for the two halves.
Add toppings.
Bake on the middle rack until nicely browned. About 10 minutes.
📖Recipe
Quick French Bread Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread - 9 inch for two servings
- Prepared pizza sauce
- Toppings of choice.
- mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° convection or 400° conventional.
- Slice a loaf of French bread horizontally. I used a 9-inch baguette, but any length should be fine. A sub bun would work ok also. But the quality of the bread will determine the final taste.
- Prep toppings. I browned ½ pound of Italian sausage and cut some pepperoni in half.
- Top with sauce. It took about ½ cup for two halves. Add toppings. Add mozzarella cheese.
- Bake on middle rack until nicely browned. About 10 minutes.
My Private Notes
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips:
- I suggest using a softer crust French bread. Those will probably be sold in plastic bags, not in paper or unwrapped.
- If doing a larger amount, it is worth time doing your own sauce. My homemade sauce recipe: One 6 oz can of tomato paste and 6 oz water. 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 clove garlic, and ½ teaspoon oregano. This will make about 1 ½ cups of sauce which is three times what I use here for two 9 inch pizzas so you can judge from there.
- Do not overdo the sauce, the bread can act like a sponge and absorb too much.
- Top as you wish.
- Great for a pizza party for teens. They can prepare as they wish.
- The results are very dependent on the quality of bread.
- I generally only cook what we will eat but store and reheat like leftover pizza.
- I do prepare toppings ahead frequently.
- Nutrition is calculated on one half of a 9 inch baguette.
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
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Publisher Note: Originally Published November 15, 2015. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Sam
So easy! Loved it!
Greg
Hi DrDan,
Can your French Bread Pizza also be cooked on a gas grill (2008 Weber Genesis) using the indirect method? If so, at what surface temperature and would you also suggest around 10 minutes as the oven recipe calls for (as well as observing the browning)?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Greg,
Welcome to the blog.
I have not done this but cooking indirectly on a large grill will be very much like an oven. I would try 350-400 degrees on the indirect side. 450 degrees max. The endpoint is the browning.
Dan
Ellen horak
Delicious!!!! Everyone flipped over it!! I am from Louisiana so a loaf of French bread made this perfection! Light, crispy and chocked full of taste! Yet another winner, Dr. Dan!! Going back to try another recipe of yours! Thank you!
Miss Kinsey
Very good. Easy quick... And yes basic common sense on certain things.. But thanks for pointing them out for the Lazy ones. .. Ha ha. Lol
Jon Eric
Yep - another great one. Super to easy to make in a pinch and very delicious! Thanks, Dr. Dan.
Leslie
Meant to say quick and yummy
DrDan
You know I just switched to a Mac and the spell check is just killing me... it decided to mis-spell my name.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Leslie
Made this tonight,Buick and yummy!(give it 5 stars)
Charles
Nope, still a basically empty page.
DrDan
WordPress Error ... fixed
Dan