This copycat Red Baron French Bread Pizza recipe is easy to customize and great for a casual Friday night dinner at home. Topped with garlic-infused olive oil, pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and quartered pepperoni for an authentic Red Baron feel, this French bread pizza is easy to make and so much better than the store-bought version!

Growing up, French bread pizzas were a staple in our home, with a few boxes stashed in the freezer at all times. These days, I prefer to indulge in homemade pizza prepared with healthy ingredients, like Portobello Mushroom Pizzas with Chicken, BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza, or Zucchini Pizza.

French Bread Pizzas (copycat Red Baron) – Healthyish Foods

That’s why I decided to recreate Red Baron French bread pizza with fresh ingredients and a slightly more gourmet feel. What’s even better about this recipe is that you can totally customize it with a variety of toppings, such as vegetables, ground turkey sausage, or shredded chicken. 

Plus, it’s made in just 25 minutes, because we’re not spending hours making pizza crust from scratch. This leaves you with plenty of time to whip up a healthy side dish like Chopped Salad or Butter Lettuce Salad

What is French Bread Pizza?

Instead of a traditional yeast and flour pizza crust, French bread pizza is made using a sliced-open loaf of French bread. The toppings are piled onto the cut side of the loaf. Then, it’s baked in a hot oven for about 10 minutes. It’s far better than freezer pizza and much faster than ordering takeout! 

French Bread Pizzas (copycat Red Baron) – Healthyish Foods

Recipe Ingredients

  • French Bread – Look for a long, oval-shaped loaf with a soft, squishy crust. French bread crust should crisp up well during baking but still be easy to bite into.
  • Olive Oil – This forms the base of the garlic sauce. 
  • Garlic Paste – This is simply garlic blended into a spreadable consistency. If needed, finely minced garlic cloves can be substituted for garlic paste. 
  • Pizza Sauce – I like to use Delallo pizza sauce, but you can use whatever you like.
  • Mozzarella Cheese – For the best results, use a block of low-moisture mozzarella and shred it yourself.
  • Pepperoni – Typically, plain cheese is my go-to. However, I used quartered pepperoni to make this recipe more like the original Red Baron French bread pizza.
  • Parmesan Cheese – This adds a rich, slightly nutty flavor. You can use pre-grated parmesan cheese, as long as it’s not the kind from the shaker bottle. 
  • Oregano – A key ingredient in any good pizza recipe! 
  • Kosher Salt and Pepper – Adjust to taste. 
  • Red Pepper Flakes – For a touch of heat. A little goes a long way, though, so if you don’t like heat, feel free to leave these out. 

Topping Ideas

I used cheese and pepperoni to make this French bread pizza a true copycat recipe. However, you can use this recipe as a base and add any of your favorite pizza toppings. Feel free to get creative! 

Here are some ideas:

  • Vegetarian – For a lighter option, include fresh vegetables, such as bell peppers, broccoli, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. 
  • Meat Lovers – Add pepperoni, sausage, and bacon for a hearty and filling slice. 
  • BBQ Chicken – Toss shredded chicken thighs in a tangy-sweet BBQ sauce and top them with mozzarella cheese and red onions. Use this BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza recipe for inspiration. 
  • Buffalo Chicken – Whip up a batch of this One Pan Buffalo Chicken, spread it over French bread, and top with mozzarella cheese. 

How to Make a Copycat Red Baron French Bread Pizza Recipe

  1. Get prepared. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the loaf of French bread in half lengthwise and then again widthwise, This should leave you with four equally-sized pieces.
  2. Make the garlic sauce. In a small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic paste, and a few cracks of black pepper. Brush a light coating of garlic oil onto the inside of the French bread. 
  3. Add toppings. Spread about 1 ½ ounces of pizza sauce onto each piece of French bread. Then, top each piece with shredded mozzarella, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Lastly, add the quartered pepperoni. If you have any extra toppings, you can add these, too!
  4. Bake. Transfer each piece of French bread pizza into the oven, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Then, broil for one to two minutes or until the cheese is extra melty on top. Keep an eye on the pizzas to prevent them from burning!
  5. Serve. Top the pizzas with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, and enjoy your pizzas while they’re hot! 
French Bread Pizzas (copycat Red Baron) – Healthyish Foods

Tips for Success

  • Be careful not to overdo it on the sauce. Too much pizza sauce can cause French bread pizza to become soggy because the sauce soaks into the bread.
  • Don’t use French bread that has a hard, crispy crust. This most likely means it’s old and dried out. French bread should be soft and easy to squeeze. Day-old bread is best because it’s not too hard or too soft.
  • For an extra crispy crust, bake the bread for a few minutes after you’ve added the garlic olive oil. Once the top starts to turn golden brown, remove it from the oven, and add the rest of your toppings. Then, finish baking as normal, allowing the cheese to become nice and melty. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe ahead of time? To make ahead, assemble the French bread pizzas with the garlic olive oil, sauce, cheese, and toppings. Cover them in plastic wrap, and place them in the refrigerator for up to one day. When you’re ready to bake your pizzas, simply take them out of the fridge, and transfer them to the heated oven. 

How long do leftovers last? This French bread pizza recipe is best when eaten immediately. However, leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for three to four days. Reheat leftover pizza in the microwave or oven until heated through. 


Can I freeze homemade French bread pizza? To freeze, fully assemble your French bread pizza, but don’t bake it. Place the assembled pizzas on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the French bread pizzas into ziplock plastic bags and freeze for up to three months. 

Thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to eat. Then, warm them in the microwave or oven just until heated through. Be careful not to let them burn!

French Bread Pizzas (copycat Red Baron) – Healthyish Foods

French Bread Pizza (Red Baron Copycat Recipe)

Better than the original, this copycat Red Baron French Bread Pizza combines fresh, whole-food ingredients and your favorite toppings in just 25 minutes!
5 from 2 votes
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Equipment

  • 1 baking tray

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf French bread, 10-inch loaf
  • 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste
  • 6 ounces pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, split among 4 pizzas
  • 10 slices pepperoni, cut into quarters, split among 4 pizzas
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, sprinkled over 4 pizzas
  • 2 teaspoons oregano, about 1/2 teaspoon per pizza
  • pinch kosher salt, to taste
  • few turns cracked black pepper , to taste
  • red pepper flakes, as garnish

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the French bread loaf in half lengthwise, then in half again widthwise. You should have 4 pieces.
  • Next, in a small bowl combine the oil, garlic paste and a few cracks of fresh black pepper. Brush a light coating of the garlic infused oil over the inside of French bread.
    Add the pizza sauce. I used about 1.5 ounces per piece. Top with shredded mozzarella, oregano, and a pinch of kosher salt. Add the quartered pepperoni or any toppings you desire.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes. Broil for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is extra melty on top. Keep a close eye on the pizzas when you broil to prevent them from burning.
    Serve with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Enjoy while they are hot!

Notes

How long do leftovers last? This French bread pizza recipe is best when eaten immediately. However, leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for three to four days. Reheat leftover pizza in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 530kcal, Carbohydrates: 61g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 32mg, Sodium: 1248mg, Potassium: 332mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 477IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 285mg, Iron: 5mg