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    🏠Home » Recipes » Pizza Recipes

    Quick and Easy French Bread Pizza in 20 Minutes

    Feb 6, 2023 · Modified: May 28, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · 11 Comments

    Recipe Table of Contents    
    4.68 from 58 votes

    Delicious Quick and Easy French Bread Pizza is the perfect 20 minute evening meal or a party. Full of your favorite toppings, browned melted cheese, and crispy crust.

    French bread pizza on a gray plate.
    Jump To:
    • 🥖Ingredients
    • 👨‍🍳How to make French bread pizza
    • ⏰How Long To Bake French Bread Pizza?
    • ✔️Ingredient Tips and Variations
    • ❓FAQs
    • 🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
    • Recipe
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    We all need a fast and easy dinner at times. This homemade French bread pizza in the oven for a delicious dinner. The perfect recipe to let kids customize their pizzas and it's faster to make than pizza delivery.

    A small baguette will make two large servings while a full-size loaf will make 4-6 servings. It is easy to prep the toppings a few days ahead, and they will come together in only a few minutes.

    This is perfect for the family that can't agree on toppings or for parties, cut up as finger food.

    Check out some other easy pizza recipes, like Tortilla Pizzas, Crock Pot Pizza Casserole, Biscuit Pizza, White Pizza, and Basic Homemade Pizza Dough. This recipe is featured in Game Day Party Recipes.

    🥖Ingredients

    • bread load
    • recipe
    • oven temp
    • pizza bread
    • butter and garlic powder—optional to brush the bread

    👨‍🍳How to make French bread pizza

    1. Use a horizontally cut loaf of French bread or a sub sandwich bun.
    2. Prep toppings—Chop vegetables and brown Italian sausage, and trim other toppings to be appropriate for the pizza size, like cutting the pepperoni in half.
    3. Mix sauce if using homemade or use jarred sauce.
    4. Top each half loaf of bread with sauce. Add toppings. Add mozzarella cheese.
    5. Bake on the middle rack until nicely browned—about 10 minutes.

    ⏰How Long To Bake French Bread Pizza?

    About 10 minutes at 375° convection or 400° conventional oven. The browning of the cheese will tell you when done. A larger French bread pizza will take slightly longer.

    ✔️Ingredient Tips and Variations

    • 🥖The Bread
      • You need nice french bread. This will be half the taste, and bland white bread won't do. You need to know your baker.
      • My 9-inch loaf of bread is 2 large servings. A full-size loaf will be wider but not twice as long and give 4-6 servings.
      • Don't buy the cheap stuff. You want something that tastes outstanding and comes from some excellent gluten development.
      • Some French bread will have a harder crust. Opt for a bit softer crust for this recipe, which will usually be sold in plastic instead of paper bags. Do not buy the baguettes that are sold uncovered.
      • If the bread is very soft inside, give it a brush of olive oil and toast it under a broiler for a few minutes until firming up and browning a little.
    • 🥣The Sauce
      • 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.
      • It takes about ¼ cup per 9-inch pizza (half a loaf.), so jar sauce is very convenient.
      • If you're doing a large amount for a party, it may be worth making your own.
      • My simple homemade sauce recipe will make about 1 ½ cups and freezes well.
        • One 6 oz can of tomato paste and 6 oz water.
        • 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 clove garlic, and ½ teaspoon oregano. A pinch of red pepper flakes is optional.
    • 👨‍🍳Toppings
      • Remember, you have a limited surface area to cover. Cut things like pepperoni slices in half and chop vegetables small. And only add a few toppings.
      • Meats: Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni, and ham are the common ones.
      • Vegetables: chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, or red onions.
      • Cheese: Everybody uses mozzarella cheese, but a sprinkle of Romano or Parmesan cheese adds a nice flavor.

    ❓FAQs

    What can I do about the bread getting soggy?

    The most important factor is the choice of bread. Some will have excellent gluten formation and be more resistant to becoming soggy. But on to things you can do.
    1) Use the optional garlic butter and toast lightly.
    2) Do not overdo the sauce; only use a light coat.
    3) Put the cheese on before the sauce, like Chicago pizza. You can add more cheese after the sauce and toppings if you want.
    4) Try not to use toppings that release a lot of water like chunks of pineapple or even tomatoes.

    Can I freeze French bread pizza?

    Yes. After it is baked and cooled, seal it airtight and freeze it for 3-4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

    How to reheat French bread pizza?

    Any pizza is best reheated in the oven on a baking sheet at 375° for 10-15 minutes. An air fryer or toaster oven will also work well. Microwaves will tend to get soggy results.

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    This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

    101's Best Recipes, Appetizer and Party Recipes, Easy Dinner Recipes, Italian Recipes, Pizza Recipes
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    🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

    French bread with toppings for pizza

    Preheat oven to 375° convection or 400° conventional. While preheating, you should have time to prepare the pizza.

    Graphic Cutting French bread in half on a white boardfor Pinterest of French Bread Pizza

    Slice a loaf of French bread horizontally. The recipe is for a 9-inch loaf—2 servings. For a full-size loaf, you will have 4-6 servings, depending on the size—adjust the other ingredient, and cooking time will increase.

    melting butter in a small bowl in a microwave

    Optional toasting with garlic butter: You should do this if using sub buns or the French bread has a soft center. Mix 2 tablespoons of melted butter and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. Brush the bread with the butter mixture and broil it on a baking sheet for a few minutes to light brown. For a large loaf, use double the amount.

    browning sausage in a skillet

    Prep your favorite pizza toppings. I browned ½ pound of Italian sausage and drained it well. Plus, I trimmed some pepperoni in half.

    spreading sauce on French bread halves

    Top with sauce. It took about ½ cup for the two halves. Keep it light; you are adding flavor, not soaking the bread or filling holes.

    French bread pizzas topped and ready to bake

    Add toppings.

    French bread pizzas coming out of oven

    Bake on the middle rack until nicely browned—about 10 minutes.

    cut up French bread pizza on black board
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    Recipe

    French Bread Pizza on a gray plate

    Quick and Easy French Bread Pizza in 20 Minutes

    From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
    Delicious Quick and Easy French Bread Pizza is the perfect 20 minute evening meal or a party. Full of your favorite toppings, browned melted cheese, and crispy crust. 
    Tap to leave a Rating
    4.68 from 58 votes
    Print Email CollectionCollected
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings #/Adjust if desired 2

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Convert to Metric
    • 1 loaf French bread - 9 inch for two servings
    • Prepared pizza sauce
    • Toppings of choice.
    • mozzarella cheese
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    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375° convection or 400° conventional. While preheating, you should have time to prepare the pizza.
      French bread with toppings for pizza
    • Slice a loaf of French bread horizontally. The recipe is for a 9-inch loaf—2 servings. For a full-size loaf, you will have 4-6 servings, depending on the size—adjust the other ingredient, and cooking time will increase.
      Graphic Cutting French bread in half on a white boardfor Pinterest of French Bread Pizza
    • Optional toasting with garlic butter: You should do this if using sub-buns or the French bread has a soft center. Mix 2 tablespoons of melted butter and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. Brush the bread with the butter mixture and broil it on a baking sheet for a few minutes to light brown. For a large loaf, use double the amount.
      melting butter in a small bowl in a microwave
    • Prep your favorite pizza toppings. I browned ½ pound of Italian sausage and drained it well. Plus, I trimmed some pepperoni in half.
      browning sausage in a skillet
    • Top with sauce. It took about ½ cup for the two halves. Keep it light; you are adding flavor, not soaking the bread or filling holes.
      spreading sauce on French bread halves
    • Add toppings.
      French bread pizzas topped and ready to bake
    • Bake on the middle rack until nicely browned—about 10 minutes.
      French bread pizzas coming out of oven
    See the step-by-step photos in the post. Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print.

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    Recipe Notes

    Pro Tips:

    1. I suggest using a softer crust of French bread. Those will probably be sold in plastic bags, not paper or unwrapped. If you start with a hard crust and bake it more, it will be too hard.
    2. If doing a larger amount, it is worth the time to do your 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. An optional pinch of crushed red pepper for heat. This will make about 1 ½ cups of sauce, which is three times what I use here for two 9-inch pizzas so that you can judge from there.
    3. Do not overdo the sauce; the bread can act like a sponge and absorb too much.
    4. Top as you wish.
    5. Great for a pizza party for teens. They can prepare as they wish.
    6. The results are very dependent on the quality of the bread.
    7. I generally only cook what we will eat but store and reheat it like leftover pizza.
    8. I do prepare toppings ahead frequently.
    9. Nutrition is calculated on a full 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

    Nutrition Facts
    Quick and Easy French Bread Pizza in 20 Minutes
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 589 Calories from Fat 225
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 25g38%
    Saturated Fat 12g60%
    Cholesterol 65mg22%
    Sodium 1611mg67%
    Carbohydrates 61g20%
    Fiber 3g12%
    Sugar 6g7%
    Protein 31g62%
    Vitamin A 550IU11%
    Vitamin C 1.7mg2%
    Calcium 840mg84%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
    Course : Main Course
    Cuisine : Italian

    © 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.

    Publisher Note: Originally Published November 15, 2015. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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    1. Sam

      September 25, 2021 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      So easy! Loved it!

      Reply
    2. Greg

      March 16, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      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)?

      Reply
      • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

        March 16, 2021 at 4:38 pm

        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

    3. Ellen horak

      September 13, 2018 at 5:56 pm

      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!

      Reply
    4. Miss Kinsey

      November 18, 2017 at 6:55 pm

      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

      Reply
    5. Jon Eric

      January 30, 2016 at 10:47 pm

      Yep - another great one. Super to easy to make in a pinch and very delicious! Thanks, Dr. Dan.

      Reply
    6. Leslie

      November 20, 2015 at 11:40 pm

      Meant to say quick and yummy

      Reply
      • DrDan

        November 20, 2015 at 11:53 pm

        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

    7. Leslie

      November 20, 2015 at 11:40 pm

      Made this tonight,Buick and yummy!(give it 5 stars)

      Reply
    8. Charles

      November 15, 2015 at 10:51 pm

      Nope, still a basically empty page.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        November 15, 2015 at 10:53 pm

        WordPress Error ... fixed

        Dan

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