Skip delivery and make this easy French bread pizza at home, packed with bold Italian-inspired flavors. It’s ultra-cheesy, simple to prepare, and a fun, creative way to enjoy pizza without fuss.
This post is sponsored by our long-term partner DeLallo — thank you for supporting the brands that keep Salt & Lavender cooking! I only work with brands whose products I love. All opinions are my own.
Why you’ll love it
Transforming a grocery-store French loaf into a hearty, melty pizza is deeply satisfying. It’s quick to make, feeds a crowd, and you control the ingredients. Using high-quality jarred pizza sauce and pantry-friendly toppings yields bright tomato flavor, savory pepperoni, tangy pepperoncini, and briny black olives. Layered over crusty bread and plenty of mozzarella, the result is comforting and familiar but faster than a traditional pizza.
What you’ll need
- French bread – a 16-ounce loaf works well
- Butter – spread on the cut sides to help the crust brown and stay tender
- Pizza sauce – a quality pizzeria-style jarred sauce gives great tomato flavor
- Mozzarella – shredded, for that classic melty topping
- Pepperoni – thin slices are perfect for even coverage
- Pepperoncini – sliced, for a mild tangy kick
- Black olives – sliced, for texture and salty contrast
Helpful tips
- Day-old French bread is ideal: slightly firmer slices are easier to cut and crisp up nicely in the oven.
- Watch the broiling step closely; the cheese can go from golden to burnt quickly.
- If you want to vary toppings, this recipe is very flexible—add vegetables, different cheeses, or swap pepperoni for cooked sausage or shredded chicken.
How to make easy French bread pizza
This overview walks through the main steps. Full ingredient amounts and detailed instructions are listed in the recipe section below.
Preheat the oven and position the rack in the upper third. Slice the loaf in half lengthwise and place the halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Spread softened butter evenly over each cut surface and bake briefly to warm and crisp the bread foundation. Remove from the oven, spread the pizza sauce over both halves, then top with shredded mozzarella and your chosen toppings such as pepperoni, pepperoncini, and black olives.
Bake until the cheese melts and the toppings are heated through, then finish under the broiler for a minute or two to achieve golden, bubbly cheese. Slice into portions and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
What to serve with French bread pizza
- If you enjoy dips with pizza, a creamy ranch or garlic dip pairs nicely and cools the palate.
- A simple green salad balances the richness—try mixed greens with a light balsamic or honey-mustard vinaigrette.
Leftovers and storage
- Reheat gently in a 350°F oven, loosely wrapped in foil with the cheese side up, until warmed through. For a crisp finish, broil briefly after reheating.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for a couple of days; for best texture eat within 24 hours.
- Freezing is not recommended because the texture of the bread and toppings can degrade after thawing.
More cheesy favorites
- Pepperoni French Bread Pizza
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Baked Feta Pasta
- BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
- Four Cheese Baked Rigatoni
If you make this French bread pizza, please leave a star rating and a short review. Feedback helps others find and enjoy the recipe. You can also follow the author on Instagram for more ideas and updates.
Easy French Bread Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) loaf French bread
- 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick), softened
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella
- 2–3 ounces pepperoni (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup sliced mild pepperoncini
- 1/3 cup sliced black olives
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
- Cut the bread in half horizontally as evenly as possible. Place both halves cut-side up on a baking sheet and spread the softened butter over each cut surface.
- Bake the buttered bread for 5–6 minutes until slightly crisp and warmed through, then remove it from the oven.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over each half. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella across both pans, then arrange pepperoni, pepperoncini, and black olives on top.
- Bake for 12 minutes until the cheese is melted and the toppings are hot. Finish under the broiler for a minute or two to brown the cheese, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Slice the finished bread into portions and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Customize toppings to taste—this is a very flexible recipe. Add vegetables, extra cheese, or swap proteins as you prefer.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is appreciated, but copying full recipes without authorization is prohibited.