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BeeyondCereal » Recipes » Lunch Recipes

French Bread Pepperoni Pizza

Modified: Oct 18, 2023 · Published: Mar 30, 2021 By Nicole Durham
This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment · Cost Recipe $4.53 / Serving $1.13

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5 from 1 vote
promotional images for French Bread Pizza

French Bread Pepperoni Pizza is an easy to make pizza creation packed with crisp and soft bread with cheese and sauce covered toppings. Every bite is delicious and filling.

two baked halves of french bread pizza on a white plate.

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French bread pizzas are incredibly easy to make at home, and that's part of why I love them so much. With a one dollar loaf of bread and a few simple toppings, you can turn out a cheap, filling meal in just minutes.

One of the best parts is how customizable they are. Go classic with pepperoni and mozzarella, load them up with colorful veggies for a vegetarian option, or mix and match toppings to fit whatever you're craving.

They come together fast, making them perfect for busy weeknights or casual get togethers with friends. The simplicity and affordability are exactly why french bread pizzas still hold a special place in my kitchen.

For more pizza inspiration, check out my Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Bake, Mini Bagel Pizzas, and Muffin Tin Pizza Bombs.

Jump to:
  • 💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
  • 🥄 Instructions for French Bread Pepperoni Pizza
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
  • ❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
  • 🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
  • ❓ Recipe FAQs
  • 🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe

  1. Budget friendly and filling. These are perfect for pizza night when delivery isn't in the budget and you don't want to make homemade crusts like Pizza Dough In a Bag.
  2. Fast to make. Prep and bake time are quick, and you can have pizza on the table in under 30 minutes. It's not quite as fast as Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza or Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza, but you get more servings with very little extra effort.
  3. Surprisingly hearty. The thick bread and generous cheese make these pizzas extra filling, and you may even have leftovers for later.

🛒 Ingredients

French bread. Use one loaf of french or Italian bread. Day old bakery bread works great and is often cheaper. If you grab two loaves, you can also make a Party Sub Recipe for lunch.

Toppings. Pepperoni, sausage, peppers, or veggies all work well. Choose your favorites to build a pizza you'll love.

Cheese. Shredded mozzarella or pizza blend cheese works best. Cheese you shred yourself will melt better than pre shredded.

See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.

💰 Budget-Friendly Tips

Use store brands: Store-brand bread, sauce, and cheese keep costs low without sacrificing flavor.

Stretch toppings: Use small amounts of leftover chicken or veggies from the fridge.

Skip specialty cheese: Plain mozzarella melts well and is usually the cheapest option.

🥄 Instructions for French Bread Pepperoni Pizza

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Step 2: Slice the french bread loaf in half and then in half again so that there are two top halves and two bottom halves.

Step 3: Brush the tops with olive oil and bake in the oven for 3 minutes to help toast the bread so that the sauce doesn't soak into the bread as much.

two olive oil toasted halves of french bread on a baking sheet.

Step 4: Spread sauce over the top of the toasted bread.

spread pizza sauce on the french bread to make pizza.

Step 4: Top with cheese and your favorite pizza toppings.

French bread pizzas with cheese, toppings unbaked on baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese has melted and french bread is desired crispness.

Serve warm.

Two baked halves of French bread pizza on baking sheet, sauce bowl in background.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

  1. Choose the right bread. French bread has a firm crust with a chewy interior. For a softer bite, use a softer Italian loaf from the bakery.
  2. Olive oil step. This step is optional. Skip it for a softer texture, or include it to help prevent the sauce from soaking into the bread for a firmer bite.
  3. Adjust the texture. Whether you use olive oil or not, this french bread pizza turns out delicious every time.
  4. Air fryer option. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Slice the bread to fit and brush with olive oil. Air fry for four minutes to crisp, then add sauce, toppings, and cheese. Air fry for another five minutes at 350°F until melted and lightly toasted. Serve warm.

❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead

Storage: Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.

Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 380°F for 2-3 minutes or the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes.

Make Ahead: Assemble French Bread Pepperoni Pizzas without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours before baking.

🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas

Serve French Bread Pepperoni Pizza with a simple green salad, fresh fruit, or raw veggies with dip for an easy, budget-friendly meal.

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❓ Recipe FAQs

How long are French bread pizzas good for?

These bread loaf pizzas are best eaten after being made while still warm but leftovers could be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day before getting soggy in texture. Reheat before eating for that nice warm feeling.

How do you make french bread pizza?

Take a loaf of French bread and slice it in half lengthwise along the middle to make a top and bottom half. Spread sauce on top, cover in pizza cheeses and toppings and bake until cheese is melted.

How long to cook a French bread pizza

The french bread pizza cook time is dependent on the oven temp. The higher the oven temp, the less time it takes in the oven because the cheese melts faster. I like to cook mine at 425 for about 10-15 minutes.

two baked french bread pizza halves on a plate.

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🐝 If you tried this French Bread Pepperoni Pizza, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!

📖 Recipe

baked french bread pizzas on a baking sheet.
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French Bread Pepperoni Pizza

By: Nicole Durham
Cost: Recipe $4.53 / Serving $1.13
5 from 1 vote
French bread pizzas are an easy to make pizza creation packed with crisp and soft bread with cheese and sauce covered toppings. Every bite is delicious and filling.
Prep TimePrep: 15 minutes mins
Cook TimeCook: 15 minutes mins
Total TimeTotal: 30 minutes mins
ServingsYield: 4 halves
CaloriesCal: 128kcal
: Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
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Equipment

  • Bread knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Baking Sheet
  • Spoon
  • Pastry Brush

Ingredients
 

  • 1 French bread loaf - ($1.00)
  • ¼ cup olive oil - ($0.56)
  • 1 cup pizza sauce - ($0.97)
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese or Italian blend cheese, shredded - ($2.00)

Optional Toppings

  • Cooked chicken
  • Pepperoni
  • Bell peppers, sliced
  • Pineapple
  • Mushrooms
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Slice the bread. Slice the French bread loaf in half crosswise, then slice each piece lengthwise to expose the soft interior.
  • Toast the bread. Brush the cut sides and crust lightly with olive oil. Place cut-side up on a baking sheet and bake for 3 minutes to lightly toast.
  • Add sauce. Remove from the oven and spread pizza sauce evenly over the toasted bread.
  • Top the pizzas. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and add desired toppings.
  • Bake. Return to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bread reaches your preferred crispness.
  • Serve. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Bread choice. French bread gives a firmer, chewier base, while an Italian loaf creates a softer texture.
  • Prebake option. Brushing with oil and prebaking helps prevent soggy bread but can be skipped if a softer pizza is preferred.
  • Storage. Best enjoyed fresh. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day and reheat before serving.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1halve | Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.9g | Protein: 10.1g | Fat: 7.4g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5.2g | Cholesterol: 5.1mg | Sodium: 345.1mg | Potassium: 146.1mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 1.7g | Vitamin A: 35.9IU | Vitamin C: 3.6mg | Calcium: 290.2mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Nutrition and cost info are estimates and may vary. See How We Calculate Recipe Costs.

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About the Author

Nicole Durham

Nicole is the frugal foodie behind Beeyond Cereal. Based in Michigan, she shares budget-friendly recipes, homemade pantry staples, and practical tips to help families stretch every grocery dollar. When she’s not developing recipes, Nicole enjoys crocheting, thrifting, and spending time with her two kids, always with a cup of coffee close by.

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Hey, I'm Nicole

The proud owner and recipe developer behind BeeyondCereal. Here, I'm passionate about showing people how to navigate the kitchen with frugality in mind, whipping up family-friendly recipes that not only save money but also bring joy to every meal.

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