Name: Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 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

Nothing beats the smell of warm, buttery garlic bread, especially when it's topped with melty cheese and pepperoni. This Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe is a total game changer—combining two favorites into one irresistible treat. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to for a quick, cozy meal.

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 geek out every time I make this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe because it’s ridiculously simple but tastes like something from a fancy pizzeria. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend snacks—and everyone I’ve shared it with asks for seconds!

Fast and Easy: You can whip it up in about 25 minutes, which means dinner on the table super quick.
Comfort Food Classic: It combines the best flavors of garlic bread and pizza — buttery, garlicky, cheesy, and savory with pepperoni.
Customizable: Swap out pepperoni for veggies or different cheeses; it’s a blank canvas for your cravings.
Kid-Friendly: Not too spicy or fancy, making it a hit with little ones and adults alike.

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 plays a starring role. Fresh garlic butter lays a rich, aromatic foundation, while mozzarella melts perfectly and pepperoni adds that classic pizza flavor. The French bread is key—soft, sturdy enough to hold toppings, and great toasted crisp.

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: Provides richness and carries the garlic flavor beautifully—softened so it spreads easily.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh is best here for a punch of bold, aromatic flavor. Mince or press for maximum garlicky goodness.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and freshness to balance the richness.
French or Italian Bread: A bakery-style loaf with a soft crust works wonders—avoids being too tough or too crumbly.
Pizza Sauce: Use your favorite jarred or homemade sauce; it brings that classic savory tomato flavor.
Mozzarella Cheese: Low-moisture shredded cheese melts evenly without leaving the bread soggy.
Pepperoni Slices: The perfect salty, spicy topping that pairs beautifully with garlic butter.
Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled on top for an extra layer of sharp, nutty flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): Adds heat if you like a little kick.
Extra Parsley for Garnish: A final fresh touch that looks and tastes great.

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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

This recipe is endlessly adaptable—my family loves the classic pepperoni, but I often like to mix in mushrooms or swap mozzarella for provolone. You can easily make it vegetarian or even experiment with different bread bases. The important part is making it your kind of comfort food.

Variation: Once, I swapped pepperoni for sautéed spinach and roasted red peppers, and it was surprisingly delicious—a fresh, vibrant twist I recommend trying!
Make It Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free baguette, and you’re all set for gluten-sensitive guests.
Cheese Swap: Try mixing mozzarella with fontina or gouda for a creamier, smokier flavor.
Spice it Up: Add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of chili powder to the garlic butter for subtle heat.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Garlic Butter

First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. While that heats up, mix softened butter, minced garlic, and fresh parsley in a small bowl. This is your magic garlic butter that’ll soak into the bread and make it heavenly.

Step 2: Slice the Bread and Spread the Butter

Cut your French or Italian bread lengthwise into two long halves, just like you would for garlic bread. Spread the garlic butter evenly over the cut sides—don’t be shy here. Place the bread cut side up on your baking sheet and pop it into the oven for about 5 minutes. It preps the bread by toasting it lightly and allowing the butter to absorb.

Step 3: Add Sauce, Cheese, and Toppings

Take the bread out and spread about ¼ cup of pizza sauce on each half. Now comes the fun part — sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly, layer on the pepperoni slices, and finish with a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese. At this point, your kitchen is going to smell amazing!

Step 4: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

Put the pizzas back in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes. Keep an eye out for bubbly cheese and golden-brown bread edges. Once done, let it rest a couple minutes before slicing — this keeps the cheese from sliding everywhere and gives the flavors a chance to settle.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

I love sprinkling a bit of extra Parmesan, fresh parsley, and sometimes red pepper flakes on top for color and flavor punch. Then just slice and serve hot. It’s that simple to impress.

Top Tip

From my many tries making this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe, here are my most helpful tips so you get it right the first time—with max flavor and perfect texture every time.

Use Fresh Garlic: Pre-minced garlic doesn’t give the same punch. Freshly pressed or finely minced garlic blends beautifully into butter for that authentic garlic bread flavor.
Don’t Skip the Pre-Bake: Toasting the bread with garlic butter for 5 minutes before topping avoids sogginess — trust me, it makes all the difference.
Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that can affect melting, so grab a block and shred it yourself for that perfect gooey texture.
Watch Your Oven: Oven temperatures vary; start checking around 15 minutes to avoid burnt edges and keep cheese melty.

How to Serve Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe

Garnishes

I always top my slices with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Sometimes I add red pepper flakes for a gentle heat. It adds brightness and a lovely finishing touch—plus, it looks fantastic on the plate.

Side Dishes

Pair your Garlic Bread Pizza with a crisp Caesar salad or roasted veggies to balance the richness. A simple cucumber and tomato salad also provides a refreshing contrast that complements the warm, cheesy bread.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I slice the Garlic Bread Pizza into bite-sized “pizza fingers” and serve it on a wooden board with dipping sauces like ranch or marinara alongside. It’s perfect finger food for gatherings and always a crowd-pleaser.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover garlic bread pizza keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend wrapping tightly in foil or cling film so the bread stays soft and the cheese doesn’t dry out.

Freezing

While I don’t freeze it often because it’s so quick fresh, you can freeze fully assembled and baked Garlic Bread Pizza. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, uncovered. This crisps the bread back up and melts the cheese without making it soggy. Avoid the microwave if you can—it tends to get rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen garlic bread for this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe?

Yes! If you’re short on time, frozen garlic bread is a fantastic shortcut. Just skip making the garlic butter and spread the pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings directly on the thawed bread before baking.

What’s the best bread for Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe?

I recommend a bakery-style French or Italian loaf with a soft crust and tender crumb. Avoid sandwich bread or overly crusty baguettes, since you want enough structure to hold toppings but still be easy to bite into.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! For a vegetarian version, just omit the pepperoni and load up on your favorite veggies. For vegan, use dairy-free butter spread and vegan cheese alternatives, plus veggie toppings.

How do I keep the bread from getting soggy?

The trick is the initial 5-minute bake with garlic butter before adding sauce and toppings. This toasts the bread slightly and creates a barrier so the sauce doesn’t soak in too much. Also, use low-moisture mozzarella to avoid excess water.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe is my secret weapon when I want something comforting but fuss-free. It’s quick, flexible, and nails those flavor-packed vibes everyone loves. I promise you’ll find yourself making it again and again. Go ahead—grab some bread, garlic, and cheese, and create your own slice of happiness tonight.