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Crispy Loaded French Bread Pizza with Pepperoni

crispy loaded french bread pizza - featured image

A quick and easy snack featuring crispy toasted French bread topped with marinara, melty mozzarella, and spicy pepperoni. Perfect for busy nights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf French bread (1214 inches, day-old preferred)
  • 2025 thinly sliced pepperoni slices
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 200g)
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce (125ml)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Fresh basil or parsley leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Slice the French bread in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 1-inch thick slices.
  3. In a small bowl, combine olive oil and garlic powder. Brush this mixture evenly over the cut side of each bread slice.
  4. Place the bread slices cut side up on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 6-8 minutes until golden and firm.
  5. Remove toasted bread from the oven and spread about 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce evenly on each slice.
  6. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce, then layer 3-4 slices of pepperoni on each piece.
  7. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese (if using) over the toppings.
  8. Return the loaded bread slices to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles and pepperoni edges crisp.
  9. Let the pizzas cool for a couple of minutes, then garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

Toast the bread first to avoid sogginess and achieve a crispy crust. Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting. Watch the oven closely after adding toppings to prevent burning. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end but watch carefully. Leftovers reheat best in the oven to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: French bread pizza, pepperoni pizza, quick snack, easy pizza recipe, loaded pizza, crispy pizza, weeknight snack