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)

Imagine the aroma of warm garlic butter mingling with melted cheese and pepperoni, all atop crispy toasted bread. That’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe with you—it’s like garlic bread and pizza had a delicious love child, and honestly, it’s a total game changer for quick dinners or snack time.

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, and it never fails to impress. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but delicious enough to serve guests, plus it hits all those flavorful notes that keep you going back for more.

Simple Ingredients: The recipe uses pantry staples and fresh garlic for that unbeatable flavor combo.
Super Quick: You can have this on your table in about 25 minutes, perfect for busy days.
Kid-Friendly: My kids love helping put these together, and they’re always excited to eat them!
Customizable: You can swap toppings easily or adjust the garlic butter for your own twist.

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

This Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe thrives because each ingredient adds something special—from the rich, buttery garlic base to the melty cheese and spicy pepperoni. Choosing the right ingredients really makes a difference, so here are some tips.

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: Using salted butter gives that perfect balance of richness and seasoning; plus, it melts beautifully on the bread.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic is a must for that punch of flavor—mince or press it for even distribution.
Fresh parsley: Adds brightness and color to both the garlic butter and as a garnish.
French or Italian bread: Choose a bakery-style loaf with a soft crust—it crisps nicely but stays tender inside.
Pizza sauce: Use your favorite brand or homemade; it adds that classic tomato tang that balances the richness.
Mozzarella cheese: Low-moisture, freshly shredded mozzarella melts best without releasing excess moisture.
Pepperoni slices: For that classic pizza taste, but you can swap for any favorite toppings.
Parmesan cheese: Sprinkled on top, it adds a salty, nutty finish.
Red pepper flakes (optional): For a touch of heat, but totally up to your spice preference.
Chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish): A fresh touch that wakes up your senses visually and taste-wise.

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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

The beauty of this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe is in how easily you can make it your own. I love to swap pepperoni for sautéed mushrooms or olives when I’m in the mood for something different—and you should absolutely experiment with what you love.

Variation: When I want a veggie-packed version, I add bell peppers and spinach before the cheese—always a hit with guests who’d otherwise skip pizza night.
Dietary tweak: Use a gluten-free loaf and dairy-free cheeses to suit special diets without missing out on flavor.
Speed hack: On hectic nights, I start with frozen garlic bread (skip the garlic butter step) and just add sauce and toppings—it’s a lifesaver.

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

Step 1: Whip up the Garlic Butter

Start by softening the butter so it’s easy to mix—if you forget, just microwave for 10-15 seconds. Then combine the butter with finely minced garlic and fresh parsley. This butter slathered on your bread is the foundation of flavor, so don’t skimp on the garlic—it’s what gives the recipe its name and magic.

Step 2: Prep the Bread & Toast

Slice your French or Italian bread lengthwise to create two big “pizza bases.” Spread half the garlic butter on each piece, place cut side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake at 400℉ for about 5 minutes. This quick toasting sets the crust just right to hold toppings without getting soggy.

Step 3: Add Sauce & Toppings

Take the garlic-toast bread out of the oven and spread a nice quarter cup of pizza sauce on each piece. I like to make sure the saucing is even but not too heavy—you don’t want drippy bread! Then go ahead and sprinkle on the shredded mozzarella, pepperoni slices, and a generous bit of parmesan.

Step 4: Bake to Melty Perfection

Pop the loaded pizzas back in the oven for 15-18 minutes until the cheese bubbles and edges of the bread turn beautifully golden. Let the pizzas rest for a couple of minutes after baking so the cheese sets slightly, which makes slicing and serving much easier!

Top Tip

From my many attempts with garlic bread pizza, a few simple tips make all the difference to get perfectly crispy crust and ooey cheese that’s not greasy or soggy.

Soft Butter is Key: Don’t forget to soften your butter before mixing the garlic; it spreads better and infuses the bread with flavor evenly.
Freshly Shredded Cheese: Using freshly shredded mozzarella melts better and avoids the waxy texture of pre-shredded blends.
Don’t Overload Sauce: Too much sauce makes the bread soggy quickly—light layers keep it crisp and tasty.
Watch the Bake Time: Oven temps vary, so start checking at 15 minutes to avoid burning the crust while ensuring the cheese is bubbly.

How to Serve Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe

Garnishes

I usually finish my garlic bread pizzas with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and fresh parsley for that pop of color and subtle heat. Sometimes a light dusting of extra parmesan on top adds a lovely salty finish that brings all the flavors together. It just feels like that little extra bit of love on your plate.

Side Dishes

Pairing this Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe with a simple green salad cuts through the richness nicely. A crisp Caesar salad or even some roasted veggies on the side works beautifully, balancing textures and keeping your meal fresh. For a cozy night, a warm bowl of tomato soup turns this into an irresistible comfort combo.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or family dinners, I love cutting the bread pizzas into bite-sized squares and arranging them on a platter with sides of garlic mayo and ranch for dipping. It turns a casual meal into a fun finger-food spread everyone crowds around. You can even jazz it up with various toppings in different sections—something for every taste bud!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When I have leftovers (which is rare!), I let the garlic bread pizza cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Stored in the fridge, it stays good for up to two days—perfect for a quick lunch or snack the next day.

Freezing

Freezing this recipe works surprisingly well—just be sure to wrap the cooled bread pizzas individually in foil and place them in a freezer bag. When you want one, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then reheat for crispiness. It’s not quite as fresh as baking from scratch but close enough when time is tight.

Reheating

I always reheat garlic bread pizza in the oven or a toaster oven if I want to keep the crust crisp. About 8-10 minutes at 350℉ usually does the trick. Microwaving is quick but can make the bread soggy, so I reserve that for emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different breads for this recipe?

Definitely! While a bakery-style French or Italian loaf works best, you can try ciabatta, sourdough, or even thick slices of baguette—just watch the baking time to avoid burning.

How do I make this recipe vegetarian?

Simply replace the pepperoni with your favorite vegetarian toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or even artichoke hearts. The garlic butter and cheese combo is delicious enough to stand on its own.

Can I prepare the garlic butter ahead of time?

Yes! You can mix the garlic butter up to two days ahead and keep it refrigerated. Bringing it back to room temperature before spreading makes it easier to use.

What’s the best way to get a crispy crust?

Pre-toasting the garlic butter-coated bread before adding sauce and toppings is key. Also, baking at a high temperature (around 400℉) ensures the edges get nice and golden while the cheese melts perfectly.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe has become my go-to secret weapon for impressing my family with minimal effort. The blend of crispy garlicky bread, savory sauce, and melty cheese just hits the spot every time. Give it a try—you might find it becoming a beloved staple in your home too!