When garlic bread and pizza join forces, you get an irresistible, budget-friendly dinner: garlic bread pizza with pepperoni. It’s a perfect Friday-night treat or a fast weeknight meal — cheap to make and easy to prepare.
This isn’t a typical Running to the Kitchen recipe, but pizza is one of my true food loves — the kind I’d pick for a last meal. I’m partial to New York–style slices: chewy, foldable, with a flavorful crust. Variations like prosciutto stromboli are also favorites, and this garlic bread pizza ranks right up there.
If you crave the comfort of garlic bread or the melty satisfaction of pizza, this pizza bread recipe combines both. It takes less time than ordering takeout and delivers the same crave-worthy flavors at a fraction of the cost.
Why you’ll love this garlic bread pizza recipe
- Melted, cheesy bites in every slice
- Customizable with your favorite pizza toppings
- Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing
- Less expensive than delivery
- A rich garlic-butter base that elevates the flavors
- Ready in about 25 minutes
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tip
Want this gluten-free? Use a gluten-free loaf or baguette — the recipe works just as well with alternatives you can find at most grocery stores.
What you need to make garlic pizza bread
- 1 baguette or loaf of your choice
- Softened butter
- Fresh garlic (minced)
- Chopped parsley
- Grated mozzarella
- Grated Parmesan
- Pizza sauce or a quick Neapolitan-style sauce
- Pepperoni slices (optional)
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tip
Use fresh garlic for best flavor instead of jarred minced garlic. If you have garlic confit on hand, it makes an excellent, mellow alternative.
Although store-bought frozen garlic bread can shorten the steps, making your own garlic butter and spreading it on the loaf gives you control over ingredients and flavor. If a French baguette isn’t available, choose a sturdy loaf like ciabatta, a rustic Italian loaf, or a boule. The bread should hold toppings and become crisp on the outside.
How to make garlic bread pizza
Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Slice the baguette lengthwise and place the halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley until smooth. Generously spread the garlic butter over the cut sides of the bread and bake for 5 minutes.
Remove the bread from the oven and spread pizza sauce over each half. Top with mozzarella, Parmesan, and pepperoni. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake an additional 12–15 minutes. For a crisp, golden finish, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end until the edges and pepperoni begin to brown.
Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let the pizza bread rest for a couple of minutes. Slice into squares and serve warm.
Other toppings to try
Garlic pizza bread is as flexible as any pizza. Add sliced mushrooms, onions, olives, bell peppers, or crumbled sausage. We recommend keeping toppings light so the bread doesn’t get soggy — try one or two toppings per half to test different combinations.
For a margherita-style bread pizza, finish with fresh basil leaves right before serving.
How to serve
Pair this carb-forward comfort food with a simple green side or salad to balance the meal. Bitter greens, a light vinaigrette, or a peppery mizuna salad all work well alongside the richness of the cheese and garlic butter.
This 25-minute recipe is ideal for casual Friday dinners, busy weeknights, or game-day gatherings. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser that competes with other classic party foods.
Storing, reheating and making ahead
To prepare ahead, mix the garlic butter and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble and bake. Keeping it sealed prevents your fridge from smelling strongly of garlic.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This recipe doesn’t freeze well after baking — thawed cheese and bread textures can suffer.
Reheat slices in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer at 300°F until warmed through for the best texture and to restore some crispness.
More pizza recipes to try
If you enjoy skillet or “cheater” pizzas, try whole wheat skillet pizzas with chorizo and spinach, zucchini pesto skillet pizzas, or naan-based quick pizzas for another fast, tasty option.
Garlic Pizza Bread
Ingredients
- 1 French bread baguette
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ¼ cup softened butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 2 ounces pepperoni slices
Instructions
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Heat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the baguette lengthwise and place cut side up on the baking sheet.
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In a small bowl, combine the garlic, butter and parsley. Spread generously on the bread.
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Bake the bread for 5 minutes. Remove and spread the pizza sauce on each half. Top with both cheeses and pepperoni slices.
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Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end until edges are golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
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Shut off the oven, open the oven door and allow the garlic bread pizza to rest for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.