Homemade French Bread Pizza is a delightful dish that combines the rich, comforting flavors of freshly baked bread with your favorite pizza toppings. By making both the French bread and pizza sauce from scratch, this recipe elevates your pizza experience, giving you full control over the ingredients for a truly homemade touch.
Whether you’re craving a custom creation or looking for a family-friendly meal, this homemade French bread pizza will satisfy all your cravings with its delicious and customizable flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Customizable: Use your favorite toppings to make it your own.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make the bread ahead of time and freeze it for future use.
- Family-Friendly: A hit with kids and adults alike!
Homemade French Bread Pizza Ingredients
For the Homemade French Bread:
- 2 ¼ cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant active dry yeast
- 2 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
For Topping the Pizza:
- Homemade Pizza Sauce (recipe below)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Your choice of toppings: pepperoni, cooked sausage, veggies, etc.
Homemade French Bread Pizza Sauce Ingredients:
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp minced garlic
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried)
1 ½ tsp dried oregano (or 1 ½ tbsp fresh)
How to Make Homemade French Bread Pizza
Step 1: Make the French Bread
Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes until it’s foamy.
Mix the Dough: Add salt, olive oil, and 2 cups of flour. Mix well, then add flour ¼ cup at a time until the dough comes together.
Knead the Dough: Knead the dough in a stand mixer for 2-3 minutes. Cover the bowl and let it rest for 10 minutes. Repeat this process 4 more times.
Shape and Bake: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into two loaves, shape them, and let them rise for about 30 minutes. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 2: Make the Pizza Sauce
Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 10 seconds.
Add Tomato Paste: Stir in tomato paste, spreading it along the pan’s bottom. Cook and stir for 1 minute.
Combine Ingredients: Remove the pan from heat and stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Use or Store: Spread over pizza dough immediately, or store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Step 3: Assemble the Pizza
Prepare the Bread: Slice your freshly baked bread in half lengthwise.
Add the Sauce: Spread a generous layer of homemade pizza sauce over the cut sides of the bread.
Top It Off: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly and add your favorite toppings.
Step 4: Bake the Pizza
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F.
Bake: Place the prepared bread pizzas on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve: Let it cool slightly before serving.
Tips for Perfect French Bread Pizza
- Crispy Base: For an extra-crispy crust, lightly toast the bread halves before adding the sauce.
- Cheese Variety: Mix mozzarella with Parmesan or provolone for extra flavor.
- Make It Ahead: Bake the French bread ahead of time and freeze for easy pizza nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought French bread?
Yes! While homemade French bread enhances the flavor, store-bought bread works well for a quicker option.
How do I store leftovers of this homemade French bread pizza?
Wrap leftover French bread pizza tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Can I freeze homemade French bread?
Absolutely! Once baked and cooled, wrap the loaves tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before slicing and topping.
Topping Ideas
- Classic Pepperoni: Always a crowd-pleaser.
- Veggie Delight: Mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and olives.
- Meat Lover’s: Sausage, bacon, ham, and pepperoni.
- Margherita: Fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Homemade French bread pizza is a deliciously easy meal that combines the comfort of homemade bread with the endless possibilities of pizza toppings. With the addition of this simple, flavorful pizza sauce, your pizza night is sure to become a family favorite. Give it a go and let us know your favorite topping combi
More Easy Pizza Recipes
- Easy Deep-Dish Pizza Dough
- How to Cook a Pizza on the Grill
- Pizza Ranch Dessert Pizza Recipe Blueberry Pie Copycat
- Easy S’mores Dessert Pizza Recipe
Sign up for the free newsletter and follow along on Pinterest so you never miss another post again.
Homemade French Bread Pizza
This homemade French bread pizza recipes takes pizza night to the next level using a from scratch sauce and French bread pizza crust.
Ingredients
For the Homemade French Bread:
- 2 ¼ cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant active dry yeast
- 2 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
For the Pizza Toppings:
- Homemade Pizza Sauce (recipe below)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Your choice of toppings (pepperoni, cooked sausage, veggies, etc.)
Homemade Pizza Sauce Ingredients:
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 ½ tsp dried oregano (or 1 ½ tbsp fresh)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes until foamy. Add salt, olive oil, and 2 cups of flour. Mix well, then gradually add flour ¼ cup at a time until dough forms. Knead in a stand mixer for 2-3 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Repeat this process 4 more times. Turn dough onto a floured surface. Divide into two loaves, shape, and let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 10 seconds. Stir in tomato paste, cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste. Spread over pizza dough immediately or store in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for 3 months.
Slice freshly baked bread in half lengthwise. Spread a generous layer of homemade pizza sauce over the cut sides. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and your choice of toppings.
Set oven to 400°F. Place prepared bread pizzas on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden. Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Use store-bought French bread and a jar of homemade sauce to make this a quick recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 673Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 1035mgCarbohydrates: 108gFiber: 5gSugar: 7gProtein: 23g
As an avid gardener, dedicated homemaker, and culinary enthusiast, I bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to every aspect of homemaking, recipes, travel, and gardening. My journey is deeply rooted in a love for nature, food, and exploration, which I share through my engaging content.
With years of experience cultivating a vibrant garden and crafting delicious recipes, I specialize in creating farm-to-table homestyle dishes that highlight the freshest ingredients. My culinary creations are inspired by my extensive travels, allowing me to infuse a variety of flavors from my travels into my kitchen.
Through my blog, I aim to inspire others with practical gardening tips, mouth-watering recipes, and unique travel experiences. Whether you're looking for garden-to-plate cooking ideas, copycat recipes, or advice on homemaking, I provide a trusted source of information and inspiration.
Join me as I blend the joys of gardening, cooking, and travel into a harmonious lifestyle, offering readers a well-rounded perspective on how to bring these passions into their own homes.