When my house is brimming with hungry guests, I try to prepare a well-liked dish that is easy to prepare and affordable. French bread pizzas fit the bill and they also happen to be fun!
To make French bread pizzas, you need some bread. French bread is the normal bread used to make them (as their name indicates), but in a pinch you can use a variety of other breads: sub sandwich rolls, bagels, crusty dinner rolls, baguettes, etc.
You also need pizza toppings. Here’s where the fun begins. You can choose traditional pizza toppings and/or utilize some less traditional ones!
Peek around your fridge and pantry because you probably have a few things on hand that will work—you may or may not need to grab toppings at the grocery store.
Common pizza toppings
- Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Pepperoni
- Canadian bacon
- Italian sausage
- Anchovies
- Bell peppers
- Olives
- Mushrooms
- Onion
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Pineapple
Novel pizza toppings
- Alfredo sauce
- Pesto
- BBQ sauce
- Cheddar cheese
- Provolone cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Bacon
- Ground beef
- Chicken
- Sriracha
- Broccoli
- Cilantro
- Spinach
- Jalapeno peppers
- Banana peppers
- Avocado
- Eggplant
- Artichoke
- Zucchini
Once you have all your toppings ready, cut the French bread lengthwise and then slice into pieces that are a good length for individual pizzas (somewhere in the 6-10 inch range). Now family members or guests can assemble their own pizzas! This ensures that each person will love his or her pizza and provides an opportunity for more fun as competitions ensue to see who can put the most toppings on his pizza, who can create the most beautiful pizza, or who is daring enough to make the most exotic pizza.
The simple way to bake the pizzas is to place them on baking sheets and bake at 375° for about 12 minutes or until the cheese melts. If you have extra time available and you desire a little more flavor, you can flavor and crisp your bread before topping it. Simmer some butter and garlic on the stove and brush this on the bread before baking it. Bake the bread at a higher temperature (450°) for 4-5 minutes, then remove and top with whatever sauce, cheese, meats, and veggies you desire. Reduce the oven temperature to 375° before placing the topped bread back in it. Bake until the cheese melts.
Because these pizzas are individualized and can be eaten by hand, your family members and guests will devour them in no time! I think it’s nice to serve some vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, bell peppers, etc.) alongside them, but the pizzas are hearty enough to be served on their own, if needed. Cleanup is a breeze because you don’t have to wash a bunch of pots and pans or silverware.
Would these work for your next gathering? What would you put on your French bread pizza?
Shared at the following:
Coffee and Conversation, The Art of Homemaking, Monday’s Musings, Home Inspiration Linky, What’s for Dinner? and Weekend Potluck.
We’re pretty boring with our toppings. Sauce and cheese for me and my husband. The kid spices it up with pepperoni. I had a Hawaiian pizza once and enjoyed it. Can’t get the family to be that adventurous though. The French bread pizza idea is great so everyone can do their own thing.
Hi Joey,
There’s nothing wrong with boring! They are still good with those basic toppings you mentioned. If you ever have someone visiting who does like additional toppings, then this would be a great way to accommodate their tastes, too.
This is such a fun idea, Shannon. Perfect for a family full of picky eaters- everyone can customize their own. All your recipes look so good. They are making me hungry, even though I cannot eat this late. 😀😀 Thank you for taking time to stop by my blog and leave a recipe tip there, too.
Yes, Erin, definitely good for picky eaters!
The french bread pizza is a good idea… pizza is quick and certainly enjoyable… my family would use quite a few toppings! 🙂
The “quick” aspect is very helpful in a meal!
I like making meals like this because each person can make their own.
I like that about this, too, Lindsay! Everyone helps out in making it and you know they’ll like their pizzas.
Pizza bar!! We did that for a bbq, but I like your french bread!! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!
I’ve never thought of it as a pizza bar, but that’s kind of what it is. Fun and flavorful!
I like this idea so much! Two stores in my town have very nice French bread for .99
My grands and children would enjoy making these too.
Thank you for the idea
Hi Rhonda,
Kids love them! (I think most adults do, too.)