The Best Recipe for a Crispy Pepperoni French Bread Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French Bread Loaf (about 24 inches long and 4 inches wide, fresh bakery style)
• 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for brushing the exterior of the bread)
• 8 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (melted, cooled slightly before mixing with seasonings)
• 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder (granulated garlic for the butter spread)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt (for the butter spread)
• 0.25 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (adds a hint of heat to the crumb)
• 1.5 cups Canned Crushed Tomatoes (no‑cook pizza sauce base)
• 1.5 teaspoons Italian Seasoning (blend of oregano, basil, fennel, etc.)
• 0.5 teaspoon Sugar (balances tomato acidity)
• 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground if possible)
• 12 ounces Low‑Moisture Mozzarella Cheese (grated fresh for best melt)
• 1 ounce Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated for nutty flavor)
• 2 ounces Pepperoni (thinly sliced)

Instructions

1. Trim and Slice the Bread

   Place the French loaf on a cutting board. Cut it lengthwise down the middle, then cut each half into roughly equal slices about 1‑inch thick. Trim any uneven ends so the pieces lie flat on a sheet pan.

   Time: PT5M

2. Brush Exterior with Olive Oil

   Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the outside of each bread slice with the tablespoon of extra‑virgin olive oil.

   Time: PT2M

3. Prepare Garlic‑Butter Spread

   Melt the 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Let cool just until it thickens slightly.

   Time: PT3M

4. Butter the Crumb Side

   Brush the melted garlic‑butter mixture onto the interior (crumb) side of each bread slice.

   Time: PT2M

5. Pre‑Bake the Bread

   Place the brushed bread slices on the sheet pan and bake in a pre‑heated 450°F oven for about 5 minutes, until the edges just begin to turn light brown.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 450°F

6. Make the Quick No‑Cook Sauce

   In a mixing bowl, combine 1½ cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Whisk until smooth.

   Time: PT5M

7. Grate the Cheeses

   Grate the 12 oz mozzarella and the 1 oz Parmesan using the large holes of the box grater.

   Time: PT4M

8. Assemble the Pizza

   Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on each pre‑baked bread slice. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly, then add the grated Parmesan. Top with thin slices of pepperoni, distributing them evenly.

   Time: PT5M

9. Bake the Finished Pizza

   Return the assembled slices to the 450°F oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. Check at the 10‑minute mark as ovens vary.

   Time: PT15M

   Temperature: 450°F

10. Cool and Serve

    Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

350

Protein

15g

Carbohydrates

35g

Fat

15g

Fiber

2g