This Oven-Baked French Bread Pizza is everything a quick weeknight dinner should be: fast, customizable, and unbelievably delicious. With a crispy crust, gooey cheese, and all your favorite toppings, it’s a family-friendly crowd-pleaser that can be ready in about 20 minutes. Perfect for those evenings when cooking feels like a chore, but you still want something warm and satisfying.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Effortless: This is your go-to when you’re short on time. Just assemble and bakeโno dough to knead or wait to rise.
- Super Customizable: Everyone gets exactly what they want! Half pepperoni, half veggie? Done in one tray.
- Crispy, Cheesy Perfection: Toasty French bread with golden edges, layered with melty cheese and your favorite toppings? Pure joy.
- Fun for All Ages: Kids can help choose and add toppings, making dinner a fun family activity.
Ingredients Youโll Need
- French Bread: Use a fresh, crusty loaf; slice it lengthwise for the perfect pizza base.
- Pizza Sauce: A good-quality jarred marinara or homemade sauce works beautifully. Spread generously for bold flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts into that irresistible gooey layer. Donโt be shy with it.
- Toppings of Choice: Pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, red onions, cooked sausage, fresh basilโgo wild.
- Olive Oil: A light brushing helps the bread crisp up and adds flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: A sprinkle over the top brings everything together with classic pizza flavor.
Variations
- Margherita Style: Swap mozzarella for fresh slices, add tomato and basil for a fresh twist.
- Buffalo Chicken: Top with shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles, and red onion.
- BBQ Delight: Use BBQ sauce instead of marinara and add chicken, red onion, and cilantro.
- Vegan Version: Use vegan cheese and load up on veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach.
How to Make Oven-Baked French Bread Pizza
Step 1: Prep the Bread
Preheat your oven to 425ยฐF (220ยฐC). Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise and place it cut-side up on a baking sheet. Lightly brush the surface with olive oil.
Step 2: Add the Sauce and Cheese
Spread a generous layer of pizza sauce on each bread half. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, covering all the way to the edges for that perfect cheesy bite.
Step 3: Add Toppings
Top with your favorite ingredients. Mix and match however you likeโthis part is all yours to customize.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden and crisp.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Let it cool slightly, slice into portions, and serve hot.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale bread crisps up even better in the oven.
- Pre-Toasting Optional: For extra crunch, pre-bake the bread for 3-4 minutes before adding sauce.
- Avoid Overloading: Too many toppings can make the pizza soggy. Keep it balanced.
- Finish Under the Broiler: For extra golden cheese, broil for the last minute.
How to Serve
Standalone Meal:
Serve slices with a fresh side salad or soup for a more balanced dinner.
Party Appetizer:
Cut into smaller pieces for an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer at gatherings.
Dipping Game:
Offer marinara, garlic butter, or ranch for dippingโgreat for kids and adults alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers:
Wrap tightly in foil or place in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing:
Wrap the assembled but unbaked pizzas in foil and freeze. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Reheating:
Reheat in the oven at 350ยฐF until warmed through and crispy. Avoid the microwave if you want to maintain that crunch.
FAQs
Can I use other types of bread?
Absolutely! Ciabatta, hoagie rolls, or even naan bread work well. Just make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold toppings.
Whatโs the best way to keep the bread from getting soggy?
Pre-baking the bread for a few minutes and avoiding too much sauce or wet toppings will keep it crisp.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free baguette or bread of your choice. Keep an eye on the baking time as some GF breads cook faster.
What cheese alternatives can I use?
Feel free to use cheddar, provolone, or even a blend for different flavors. Vegan cheese options work well too.
Final Thoughts
This Oven-Baked French Bread Pizza is the answer to “Whatโs for dinner?” on the busiest nights. Quick, delicious, and endlessly adaptable, it turns a humble loaf of bread into something truly special. Try it once and it just might become your favorite last-minute meal!
PrintOven-Baked French Bread Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and delicious twist on pizza using French bread as the crustโperfectly toasty, topped with sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
- 1 (14 oz) loaf French bread (about 17โณ long)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (or garlic butter)
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 3/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (โ7 oz)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Desired toppings (pepperoni, sausage, veggies, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ยฐF and line a baking sheet.
- Cut the French bread loaf in half lengthwise, then into four pieces; place cut-side up.
- Brush cut sides (and optionally bottoms) with olive oil or garlic butter.
- Bake for 4โ5 minutes until lightly toasted.
- Remove bread, spread with pizza sauce, sprinkle with mozzarella & Parmesan, add toppings.
- Bake 10โ13 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly; broil 1 minute if you like it browned.
- Let cool slightly; slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Use soft, bakery-style French bread (not too crusty) to avoid dryness.
- Pre-toast bread to prevent sogginess.
- Customize with any cooked toppingsโmeat or veggies.
- For extra flavor, brush with garlic butter instead of plain oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (approx. one bread half)
- Calories: 607
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1547 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 79 mg
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