Easy Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe: Homemade French Bread Pizza (Oven or Air Fryer)

Garlic bread pizza takes two family favorites and combines them into one easy dinner, with no dough to knead or delivery to wait on. A split loaf of French bread gets a savory herb and garlic spread first, then a layer of pizza sauce and melty mozzarella, so every bite tastes like crispy garlic bread and cheesy pizza at the same time. This homemade French bread pizza bakes up golden in the oven or the air fryer, so you can choose whichever method fits your evening. It's one of the easiest French bread dinner ideas to keep in your rotation for busy weeknights, game days, and family pizza nights.

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Why this is the best Garlic Bread Pizza recipe

It's a simple recipe. This easy garlic bread pizza uses basic ingredients like French bread, garlic butter, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings. You can find everything at your local grocery store or supermarket, and there's no need to make homemade pizza dough.

It's quick and easy. Homemade French bread pizza comes together in minutes and can be cooked in either the oven or air fryer. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table without spending a lot of time in the kitchen and want something that tastes better than frozen pizza.

Garlic bread pizza tastes amazing. The garlic butter gives the bread a rich, savory flavor, while the pizza sauce, melted mozzarella, and toppings make every bite taste like your favorite pizza. The edges of the French bread get crispy while the inside stays soft and chewy. Kids especially love it because it's simple and predictably delicious.

Garlic bread pizza is great for family pizza nights, quick lunches, or an easy dinner. Everyone can customize their own garlic bread pizza with their favorite toppings, so even picky eaters can make something they enjoy. You can also make several pizzas at once in the oven or cook smaller portions in the air fryer.

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What you'll need to make the best Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe

Equipment

• Baking sheet - You will only need a large baking sheet if you are baking your garlic bread pizza in the oven. I think that's the easiest way because you don't have to bake the pizza in batches, but if you're only planning on making a small amount, the air fryer is also quite convenient.
• Parchment paper - I use parchment to line my baking sheet for easier cleanup.
• Garlic press - I love my garlic press. It's the best way to distribute that tangy fresh garlic flavor throughout your meat mixture. If you don't have a garlic press, you can smash the cloves with the wide edge of your chef knife, then remove the papery skin and cut the garlic as fine as you can possibly get it with the sharp side of the knife.

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See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.

Ingredients

• French bread - You need a whole loaf that is not sliced. The best place to find this is in the bakery section of a grocery store. Make sure it is not sliced!
• Butter - You will use this melted. It can be salted or unsalted butter.
• Garlic - I prefer fresh garlic in this recipe.
• Italian seasoning - Italian seasoning makes the pizza taste like pizza. You could also use a pizza seasoning if you have that instead.
• Pizza sauce - Pizza sauce is different than spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce. It is thicker and has more Italian seasoning in it. Definitely go for the pizza sauce if you can because marinara sauce will make your bread soggy.
• Mozzarella cheese - Mozzarella is the classic pizza flavor but you could use another kind of cheese if you needed to. Cheese purists are going to tell you that you need to grate your own mozzarella immediately before baking the pizzas, but I think this is silly. I have been buying pre-shredded cheese in the grocery store for 25+ years, and I have only ever had one bag of cheddar that didn't melt properly. If you want to grate your own mozzarella, that's terrific. It will probably taste a little better and a little fresher. But if you don't want to grate your own mozzarella, I'll give you no shade. Your pizza will taste great with bagged cheese.

How to make easy Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe

How to make garlic bread pizza in the oven

1. Preheat the oven to 425℉ and line the baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Slice your bread in half so you have two long halves of bread, a top piece and bottom piece, each the full length of the loaf.
3. Stir together the melted butter, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic in a small bowl.
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4. Brush the garlic butter mixture over the inside halves of the cut bread
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   and sprinkle ¼ cup of shredded cheese over each half.
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5. Bake the garlic bread for 5 minutes, or until the cheese has started to melt.
6. Remove the pizzas from the oven and divide the pizza sauce evenly between the two pieces of garlic bread
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   and top them with the remaining cheese (half of the cheese on each).
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7. Bake again for about 10 minutes.
8. Turn off the oven, but don't remove the pizzas. Turn on the broiler to high and broil for 1-2 minutes or until golden bubbles start to form. Remove the pizza from the oven immediately.
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9. Slice and enjoy!
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How to make garlic bread pizza in the air fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer to 370℉.
2. Slice your bread in half so you have two long halves of bread, a top piece and bottom piece, each the full length of the loaf. Cut each of the halves in half so you have four shorter pieces that will fit into your air fryer basket.
3. Stir together the melted butter, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic.
4. Brush the garlic butter mixture over the inside halves of the cut bread and sprinkle ¼ cup of freshly shredded cheese over each half.
5. Air fry the garlic bread at 370ºF for 3 minutes, or until the cheese has started to melt.
6. Divide the pizza sauce evenly between the pieces of garlic bread and top them with the remaining cheese.
7. Air fry again for about 5-6 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
8. Remove from the air fryer, slice, and enjoy.

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Cook's Tips

You can make the herb and garlic spread ahead and keep it in the fridge, but assemble the pizzas right before baking so the bread doesn't get soggy.

Make sure you bake the French bread twice. The first baking is necessary to keep the crust crispy and prevent sogginess.

If you want to be fancy, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some fresh basil ribbons make a nice finish for garlic bread pizza.

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Substitutions & variations

You can make this garlic bread pizza with regular French bread, Italian bread, or a baguette. French bread has a soft center and crispy crust, while a baguette will give you a thinner, crunchier texture. You can also use store-bought frozen garlic bread to save time. I would recommend Texas Toast garlic bread if you buy it pre-made.

If you don't have Italian seasoning, make a quick homemade version with one tablespoon each of dried basil, dried oregano, and dried parsley, one teaspoon each of dried thyme, dried rosemary (crush it first), and dried marjoram, plus a half teaspoon of garlic powder. Measure from that mixture because you definitely won't need all of it. I think it's much easier to just buy a jar of Italian seasoning at the grocery store.

Fresh mozzarella cheese is the classic choice for homemade French bread pizza because it melts beautifully and gives that familiar pizza flavor. You can also use any melty cheese, including an Italian cheese blend, provolone, cheddar, or a combination of your favorite cheeses. Freshly shredded cheese usually melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese but is not necessary.

For a different flavor, try Alfredo sauce or ranch dressing with cooked chicken and bacon, BBQ sauce with shredded chicken, or pesto with mozzarella and sliced tomatoes.

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The toppings are easy to change based on what your family likes. Try pepperoni slices (regular or mini), cooked Italian sausage, crumbled bacon, ham, mushrooms, green bell peppers, caramelized onions, black olives, or pineapple. Just make sure any raw meat is fully cooked before adding it to the pizza.

For a vegetarian garlic bread pizza, skip the meat and add your favorite veggies. Spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and bell peppers all work well.

If you like spicy pizza, sprinkle on some crushed red pepper flakes or add sliced jalapeños.

Storing leftover garlic bread pizza

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

The bread will get soggy in the microwave, so reheat leftovers in the air fryer or oven rather than the microwave to keep the crust crisp.

Garlic bread pizza can be frozen for up to 2 to 3 months if individually wrapped. Don't wrap them until they're completely cooled to room temperature to avoid condensation that will make them soggy. Reheat from frozen in the oven or air fryer. There is no need to thaw them first.

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Check out more delicious recipes for pizza night

• Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
• Old School Pizza Burgers
• BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza
• Thai Chicken Pizza with Peanut Sauce
• Chicken Crust Pizza
• Homemade White Pizza (Spinach, Mushroom, Onion & Ranch)
• Lunchbox Pizza Muffins
• 2 Minute Microwave Pizza in a Mug Recipe
• Homemade Pizza Dough
• Grilled Pizza Dough
• Sourdough Pizza Dough

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