Name: Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: ½ cup salted butter softened; 6 garlic cloves finely minced or pressed; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley; 1 pound French bread or Italian bread; ½ cup pizza sauce; 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese shredded; 15 pepperoni slices; 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese; Red pepper flakes (optional); Chopped fresh parsley to garnish (optional)

There's something incredibly satisfying about combining two classics into one easy, crowd-pleasing dish. This Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe brings the best of crispy, buttery garlic bread together with melty cheese and your favorite pizza toppings. It’s fast, comforting, and perfect for a casual night in or a fun dinner party.

The image shows four slices of pepperoni pizza arranged on a wooden board, stacked slightly on top of each other in a vertical line. Each slice has a golden-brown crust with melted, stretchy white cheese covering the surface. Bright red pepperoni slices are placed evenly on top of the cheese, with small green herb sprinkles scattered across for garnish. The cheese is bubbling and toasted with some darker golden spots, and the crust edges look crispy. A small glass dish with red chili flakes is partly visible at the right side on the white marbled surface beneath the board. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe more times than I can count – it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and so forgiving for busy evenings when you want something tasty but don’t want to fuss. Plus, I love how it brings that satisfying crunch of garlic bread together with gooey pizza cheese and toppings. It’s basically a hug on a plate.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of things you probably have on hand – that makes it my go-to quick meal.
Customizable: You can play around with toppings, cheeses, or even switch up the herbs to your taste each time.
Perfect for Sharing: Sliced into pieces, everyone can grab what they want, making it an easy party or family dinner dish.
Fast & Fuss-Free: It comes together in about 25 minutes, so it’s great for when dinnertime sneaks up on you.

The image shows two pieces of bread topped with melted cheese that looks creamy and slightly browned on the edges. On top of the cheese, there are six round slices of pepperoni on each piece, sprinkled with red chili flakes and small bits of green herbs. The bread is placed on a wooden board with a clear glass of a light yellow drink on the right side and a small white bowl with red pepper flakes near a white cloth with black lines, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe brings something special to the table, whether it’s flavor, texture, or that unbeatable aroma. Choosing quality basics honestly makes a difference, and I’ll share tips that have helped me get the best results every time.

Flat lay of minced garlic cloves, softened salted butter, chopped fresh parsley, a long loaf of French bread with a soft crust, vibrant red pizza sauce, shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced pepperoni, and grated Parmesan cheese, all beautifully arranged with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and fresh parsley leaves, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Salted Butter: Softened butter blends into the garlic perfectly, giving that rich, creamy backdrop.
Fresh Garlic: Minced or pressed garlic releases a punchy aroma—not the jarred stuff here for the best flavor.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a touch of brightness and color in the garlic butter and as garnish.
French or Italian Bread: Use a bakery-style loaf with a soft crust so it crisps up without getting too hard.
Pizza Sauce: A good-quality, thick sauce spreads easily and won’t make the bread soggy.
Low-Moisture Mozzarella: Freshly shredded mozzarella melts beautifully and gives you that gooey cheese pull.
Pepperoni Slices: Classic and flavorful – feel free to swap for your favorite toppings.
Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled on top for an extra punch of umami and to brown nicely in the oven.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Adds a little heat if that’s your vibe.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I always encourage you to make this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe your own. Try swapping toppings, adding veggies, or even using different cheeses to suit your mood or what’s in the fridge. I’ve played around with it a lot and love how flexible it can be.

Variation: One time, I added sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach before baking – it gave a lovely earthy layer that balanced the richness perfectly.
For a vegetarian option: Ditch the pepperoni and load up on roasted veggies or just extra cheese and herbs.
Spicy Kick: Try adding some sliced jalapeños or swap red pepper flakes for a sprinkle of chili powder.
Make it cheesy: Mix in fresh mozzarella chunks or add a layer of creamy ricotta before topping with sauce and pepperoni.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Garlic Butter

I start by mixing softened salted butter with finely minced garlic and fresh parsley. The key here is to let the butter soften at room temperature so it spreads easily without tearing the bread. You want the garlic finely minced or pressed to release all its flavor without big chunks—trust me, that punch of garlic butter sets the whole base up for greatness.

Step 2: Ready the Bread

Cut your French or Italian bread in half lengthwise, just like you’re preparing traditional garlic bread. Spread half of the garlic butter mixture evenly over each piece – don’t be stingy here; this is what makes the crust flavorful. Place cut side up on a lined baking sheet and pop it into a 400°F oven for about 5 minutes. This short bake lets the garlic butter soak in and the bread start to crisp slightly without drying out.

Step 3: Assemble the Pizza Layers

Take the bread out of the oven and spread ¼ cup of pizza sauce on each half. Then sprinkle evenly with freshly shredded low-moisture mozzarella, lay down your pepperoni slices, and finish with a dusting of parmesan cheese. Make sure not to overload it – you want the bread to stay crisp underneath all that melty goodness.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden & Bubbly

Slide your assembled bread pizzas back in the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes. You'll know it’s done when the cheese is bubbling and the edges of the bread turn a beautiful golden brown. Let it rest a few minutes before slicing – this little pause helps the cheese set so it doesn’t slide off when you cut.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that transform this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe from good to amazing, so I’m passing them on to you!

Butter Softening: Always soften butter at room temp, never melt it. Melted butter can make the bread soggy instead of perfectly crisp.
Sauce Thickness: Thicker pizza sauce works best here to prevent soggy bread—if your sauce is thin, strain it a bit in a fine mesh.
Freshly Shredded Cheese: I prefer shredding mozzarella myself as pre-shredded cheese often has additives that prevent perfect melting.
Rest After Baking: Let your bread pizza sit for 2–3 minutes after baking to help the cheese set for cleaner slices.

How to Serve Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe

Garnishes

I always sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley on top after baking to add color and freshness. If you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes finishes it off beautifully. Sometimes I add a final dusting of parmesan cheese, too – it’s just so good melted on top!

Side Dishes

This garlic bread pizza pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad—something simple like baby arugula with lemon vinaigrette balances the richness. Roasted veggies or a bowl of soup on the side also make a lovely, rounded meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I like slicing the garlic bread pizzas into bite-sized squares and serving them on a big wooden board with bowls of extra toppings and dipping sauces nearby. It turns dinner into a fun, interactive experience with friends or family!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, cool them completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge. I’ve found they keep well for up to three days without losing too much crispness.

Freezing

I like to freeze unbaked assembled garlic bread pizzas wrapped tightly in foil and plastic wrap. When I’m ready, I thaw in the fridge overnight and bake fresh, which keeps the bread from getting soggy. This way, you can enjoy it anytime without a lot of prep.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes to regain that crispy crust and melty cheese feel. Microwaving works in a pinch but I find it makes the bread a bit chewy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other breads besides French bread?

While French or Italian bread with a soft crust is best for crisping and holding the toppings, you could experiment with a sturdy ciabatta or baguette. Just keep in mind that breads with very hard crusts might be tougher to bite into once baked.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the garlic butter and assemble the bread pizzas ahead of time, then refrigerate them before baking. If you want to freeze them, wrap tightly and bake from thawed for the best texture.

What are good alternatives to pepperoni?

Great alternatives include sausage, ham, bacon, mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives. Basically, any pizza topping you love works here – just adjust the quantity to avoid soggy bread.

Can I use pre-made frozen garlic bread?

Absolutely! Using frozen garlic bread is a super quick shortcut. Skip the garlic butter step and just top the thawed bread with sauce, cheese, and toppings before baking. This method saves time and still tastes fantastic.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen for how effortlessly it brings everyone together around a warm, simple meal. It’s both nostalgic and fun, letting you enjoy all the best pizza flavors on a crunchy garlic bread foundation. I hope you have as much fun making it as I do eating it – consider this your trusty weeknight hero that’s ready whenever hunger strikes.