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Back when I needed something that tasted like legit pizza but didn’t want to wait for delivery, this cheesy French bread version totally saved me. Grab a crusty bakery loaf and you’ll get that crunchy bite regular dough just can’t do. Then you can toss on whatever toppings your crew actually likes. I found this one on a night when no one was patient and I really didn’t feel like wrestling with homemade dough.
The first time my kids got these, they totally freaked out (in a good way). They thought it was like eating garlicky toast and pizza together. Now they actually beg for this instead of my usual pizza because the edges get all crispy and the garlic flavor is wild.
Tasty Ingredients
- French bread loaf: Choose a crusty one from the store—soft bread won’t cut it
- Mozzarella: Seriously, pile it on—this is what makes it deliciously gooey
- Pepperoni or favorites: Go classic, or top with whatever you know will get eaten
- Punchy garlic butter: This bit makes all the difference from just sauce on bread
- Packed pizza sauce: Whatever brand you usually grab totally works
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Simple Step-by-Step
- Final baking
- Back to the oven for 10-14 minutes. Watch for super melty, bubbly cheese and nice golden edges. Keep it out for a couple minutes before you cut it so the cheese doesn’t slip off.
- Adding toppings
- Once toasted, take out your bread and spoon on pizza sauce, then stack it with shredded mozzarella. Lay out pepperoni or let folks pick their own toppings.
- Pre-bake the bread
- Set your loaf on the baking sheet, cut sides up, then bake it for around 5 to 10 minutes—just enough to crisp it so it doesn’t get soggy later.
- Mix the garlic butter
- Stir up melted butter and chopped garlic, then slather both bread halves with it. This is what makes it way tastier than just bread and sauce.
- Prep your loaf
- Turn on your oven to 425°F. Using a bread knife, split your French bread lengthwise. If the bottom is rounded, just trim it a bit so it lays flat and doesn’t tip all over your tray.
Big tip: always pre-bake! I didn’t do this at first and the bread soaked up all the sauce, turning mushy instead of crispy. Toast it with the garlic butter first, and you’ll nail that perfect texture every single time.
Favorite Ways to Serve
These are filling all by themselves, but serving them with a simple green salad or some sliced fruit is awesome. That fresh stuff just works against all the melty cheese. Iced tea, cold sodas, or a beer match up really well, too.
Switch It Up
Play with different grated cheeses—sometimes I sprinkle in some parmesan or a pizza blend for something new. Any toppings go, honestly—maybe mushrooms, sausage, peppers, or whatever your people are into. Sometimes I just do one half all cheese (for the picky side of the family) and go wild on the other for the adults.
Freezer Friendly
If you want to make these ahead, build them all the way (skip toasting), wrap well, and freeze flat for up to two months. Bake from frozen at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes and they come out crispy and fresh.
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Now this is the kind of dinner that always hits the spot. No fancy gear, no tricky steps—just a seriously fun twist on pizza that’s way easier and almost impossible to mess up. Sometimes, it’s the simplest food that makes everyone the happiest.
Recipe FAQs
- → What’s the trick to keeping the bread from turning soggy?
- Toast the bread coated in garlic butter for about 5-10 minutes beforehand. This adds a barrier so the sauce doesn’t soak in.
- → Can I customize the toppings for this pizza?
- For sure! Use whatever you enjoy on your pizza – think mushrooms, peppers, sausage, or olives. Just keep it light to avoid sogginess.
- → Is it OK to make this ahead and freeze it?
- Of course! Assemble it (skip the toasting) and freeze until solid. Wrap them up and keep frozen for up to 2 months. Bake from the freezer at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
- → What type of bread should I use?
- Go for a firm French baguette or crusty Italian bread. Softer bread might not hold up to the sauce and toppings.
- → When’s the pizza fully cooked?
- Look for bubbly, melted cheese and golden, crispy bread edges. Usually takes about 10-14 minutes in the oven at 425°F.