Name: Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 23 min
Total time: 33 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 just something incredibly comforting about that perfect combination of crispy garlic bread and melty pizza toppings, right? This Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe takes just a handful of simple ingredients and turns them into a seriously delicious, crowd-pleasing meal that you’ll want to make again and again.

The image shows four slices of pepperoni pizza on a wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. Each slice has two or three red pepperoni circles on top. The pizza has a thick layer of melted yellowish-white cheese with some browned spots from baking. Small green herb pieces are sprinkled across the cheese on every slice. The crust is golden brown and crispy around the edges. A small clear glass bowl with red chili flakes is visible at the right edge of the image. 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’m all about quick meals that don’t skimp on flavor, and this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe hits all the right notes. It’s easier than making homemade pizza dough, but somehow feels just as special and satisfying.

Speedy preparation: You’re basically layering flavors on ready-to-go bread—super easy and fast.
Perfect crispy-cheesy texture: The bread crisps up just right while the cheese bubbles golden and gooey.
Endless customization: You can switch up toppings or add your favorites with zero fuss.
Great for gatherings: It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for casual dinners or parties.

Two oval-shaped bread bases are topped with a thick layer of melted white cheese that covers each base fully, bubbling slightly with a golden edge. On top of the cheese, five bright red pepperoni slices are evenly spaced in one bread and six in the other, each slice sprinkled with small bits of green herbs and light brown seasoning. The bread edges are golden brown and crispy, with some parts puffed up. The bread rests on a light wooden board with a small clear bowl of red chili flakes next to it. To the right, there is a clear glass of light-colored drink and a white cloth with black stripes on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here is doing a little bit of heavy lifting—bringing in flavor, texture, or that all-important garlicky goodness. I always try to grab fresh parsley and freshly shredded mozzarella to really elevate the flavors.

Flat lay of sliced French bread with a soft crust, a generous curl of softened salted butter mixed with finely minced garlic and chopped fresh parsley, bright red pizza sauce dollops, shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese heaps, thin round pepperoni slices, small piles of grated Parmesan cheese, vibrant red pepper flakes scattered lightly, and fresh green parsley leaves for garnish, all beautifully arranged and placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Salted butter: Softened butter blends perfectly with garlic, giving that rich, creamy base for the garlic butter spread.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic packs the bold punch that makes this recipe unforgettable.
Fresh parsley: Adds a bright, herbal note that balances all the richness.
French or Italian bread: A bakery-style loaf with a soft crust works best to soak up the garlic butter and still crisp up nicely.
Pizza sauce: I like a good-quality sauce with some herbs—it adds that classic pizza vibe without extra effort.
Low-moisture mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded mozzarella melts beautifully and avoids sogginess.
Pepperoni slices: Classic topping that goes perfectly with the garlic butter’s richness.
Parmesan cheese: Sprinkling Parmesan on top adds a savory depth and extra crispy crust edges.
Red pepper flakes (optional): A little heat can take this to bold new heights if you like a kick.

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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 love tinkering with this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe depending on who's joining me in the kitchen. Don’t be afraid to swap out toppings or even try a vegan cheese alternative if you want to keep things dairy-free.

Variation: Once I swapped out pepperoni for sautéed mushrooms and olives – surprisingly delicious, and a hit with my vegetarian friends.
Spicy twist: Adding jalapeños and a drizzle of hot honey on top creates a fun sweet-spicy combo I’m hooked on.
Make it cheesy: Mixing mozzarella with a bit of sharp cheddar ups the flavor punch and gives a beautiful orange hue.
Gluten-free adjustment: Use gluten-free baguette and you’re good to go without missing a beat on taste or texture.

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

Step 1: Create the garlic butter magic

Start by softening your butter—this makes mixing in the minced garlic and chopped parsley a breeze. It sounds basic, but taking that extra minute to really mash those flavors together sets up the whole dish. Make sure your garlic is finely pressed or minced so it spreads evenly and doesn’t have overwhelming chunks.

Step 2: Prep the bread and bake for a crisp base

Cut your loaf in half lengthwise, aiming for two even pieces that will hold the toppings. Spread a generous layer of the garlic butter on each cut side, then place the bread cut side up on a lined baking sheet. Pop it in the preheated 400℉ oven for about 5 minutes—this softens the bread slightly while crispening the edges beautifully.

Step 3: Layer with sauce, cheese, and toppings

Once out of the oven, spread pizza sauce evenly across the surface. Don’t overload it, or the bread will get soggy. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella first, arrange pepperoni slices, and top with Parmesan—this layering ensures every bite is bubbling with cheesy goodness and flavorful heat from the pepperoni.

Step 4: Final bake and finishing touches

Back into the oven for 15-18 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the edges have that golden crunch. Let it rest a few minutes after baking—this helps everything set so it slices cleanly. Finish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and fresh parsley if you like a little extra flair (and flavor).

Top Tip

I’ve made this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe dozens of times and one thing I’ve learned is that the quality of your bread and cheese truly makes or breaks the dish. Here are a few extra tips I swear by:

Use fresh, soft bakery-style loaf: Avoid super crusty bread or you’ll lose that tender, pillowy inside that balances the crisp outside.
Freshly shred your mozzarella: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that affect meltiness and texture.
Don’t skip the resting: Letting the pizza sit for a couple of minutes after baking helps the cheese firm up just enough so slices hold together.
Watch the oven closely: Every oven heats differently; keep an eye so your bread edges don’t burn before the cheese bubbles.

How to Serve Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe

Garnishes

My go-to garnish combo is a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for color and brightness, plus a few red pepper flakes if we want a touch of heat. Parmesan on top adds that salty crisp edge everyone appreciates.

Side Dishes

I like pairing this garlic bread pizza with a simple green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette—something fresh to cut through all that richness. A light tomato soup also works beautifully if you want something cozy and warming alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served mini versions using French bread baguette slices topped similarly—easy finger food that disappears fast! You can also arrange the garlic bread pizzas on a large wooden board with bowls of dipping sauce or extra toppings for a fun build-your-own style spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I usually slice pieces before refrigerating so they’re easy to reheat and serve without fuss.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these before fully assembled and baked, wrapped tightly in foil and placed in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven until warm and bubbly.

Reheating

Reheat in a 350℉ oven for 8-10 minutes on a baking sheet to keep the crust crispy and the cheese melty. Microwaving tends to make the bread soggy, so I avoid that whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of bread for this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe?

Absolutely! While a soft bakery-style French or Italian loaf works best, you can experiment with ciabatta, baguettes, or even sourdough. Just keep in mind that the bread’s texture will influence the final crispiness and chew.

How do I prevent the garlic bread pizza from getting soggy?

The key is not to overdo the pizza sauce and to bake it long enough so that the bread crisps up again after adding the toppings. Using low-moisture mozzarella also helps reduce excess moisture.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Definitely! Skip the pepperoni and load up on veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach. For a vegan version, use vegan butter, dairy-free cheese alternatives, and check the pizza sauce ingredients to ensure there are no animal products.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover garlic bread pizza?

The best way is to reheat it in the oven at 350℉ for 8-10 minutes on a baking sheet to keep the bread crispy and the cheese melty. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that crisp texture.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe has become a go-to for me when I want a meal that's quick, tasty, and totally satisfying. I love how it brings the best of garlic bread and pizza together with minimal fuss — and trust me, your family and friends will be asking for seconds (and the recipe) before you know it. Give it a try, and I bet it becomes a new favorite in your kitchen, too!