If you’ve ever stood at a crossroads between making pizza or garlic bread, why not choose both? Garlic bread pizza combines two beloved comfort foods into one irresistible creation—crunchy, buttery garlic bread loaded with all your favorite pizza toppings.
Perfect for weeknight dinners, game-day snacks, or party appetizers, this quick recipe delivers bold flavors and a satisfying texture with minimal effort. Whether you use store-bought bread or homemade dough, this garlic bread pizza is guaranteed to impress.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
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Two Favorites in One – The ultimate fusion of garlic bread and pizza, delivering crispy edges and gooey, cheesy centers.
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Quick and Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes using simple ingredients.
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Customizable Toppings – From classic pepperoni to vegetarian options, make it your own.
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Great for Any Occasion – Ideal for appetizers, lunch, dinner, or snacks.
Ingredients List
Here are the essential ingredients you’ll need to make garlic bread pizza:
For the Garlic Bread Base:
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1 loaf French bread, Italian bread, or thick Texas toast slices
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
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3 garlic cloves, minced (or 1½ teaspoons garlic powder)
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
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½ teaspoon salt
For the Pizza Toppings:
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½ cup pizza sauce or marinara
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1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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12–15 slices of pepperoni (optional)
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¼ cup sliced black olives (optional)
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¼ cup chopped onions or bell peppers (optional)
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Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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Italian seasoning (optional)
Timing & Servings
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 15 minutes
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Total Time: 25 minutes
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Servings: 4–6 (depending on portion size)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Garlic Bread Pizza
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Bread Base
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Slice your bread lengthwise if using a loaf, or arrange your toast slices on a baking sheet. In a bowl, mix the softened butter, garlic, parsley, and salt until well combined. Spread this mixture generously over each bread slice.
Step 2: Toast the Garlic Bread
Place the garlic-buttered bread in the oven for 5–7 minutes, or until lightly golden and just crisp on the edges. This step ensures the bread doesn’t get soggy once the toppings are added.
Step 3: Add Sauce and Cheese
Remove the garlic bread from the oven. Spread a layer of pizza sauce over each slice, followed by a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 4: Add Your Favorite Toppings
Add your desired toppings—pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, or cooked sausage all work well. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Step 5: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden
Return the bread to the oven and bake for another 7–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Remove, let cool slightly, then slice and serve.
Best Breads to Use
French Bread
A classic option with a crispy crust and chewy interior—perfect for loading with toppings.
Italian Bread
Slightly softer than French bread but equally delicious when toasted with garlic butter.
Texas Toast
Thick slices of buttery white bread offer a compact, handheld version great for kids or party trays.
Homemade Garlic Bread
If you prefer making your own bread or garlic knots, you can bake them in advance and turn them into a pizza base.
Sauce Options
Classic Pizza Sauce
Tomato-based and slightly sweet, this is the traditional option.
Marinara Sauce
Thinner and tangier—ideal if you prefer a less heavy base.
Alfredo or White Garlic Sauce
Perfect for white pizza lovers. Adds richness and a creamy finish.
Pesto
A fresh and herby alternative that pairs beautifully with mozzarella and tomato slices.
Topping Ideas to Try
Meat Lovers
Use pepperoni, cooked sausage, bacon bits, and ham for a protein-packed version.
Veggie Supreme
Top with mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, spinach, and olives.
Margherita Style
Add sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella for a more refined taste.
Hawaiian
Layer with ham and pineapple chunks for a sweet-savory combo.
BBQ Chicken
Swap out the tomato sauce for BBQ sauce, then top with cooked chicken, red onion, and cheddar.
Tips for Success
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Toast Before Topping: Pre-toasting the garlic bread keeps it crispy even under all that cheese.
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Don’t Overload: Too many toppings can make the bread soggy. Less is more.
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Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh minced garlic in the butter makes a major flavor difference.
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Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents. For best melting, shred from a block.
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Watch the Oven: Keep an eye during the final bake to avoid burning the cheese or bread edges.
Variations to Try
Mini Garlic Bread Pizzas
Use slider buns, English muffins, or baguette rounds to make mini pizzas for parties or kid-friendly meals.
Air Fryer Garlic Bread Pizza
Preheat air fryer to 375°F, then cook topped bread slices for 4–5 minutes for a quicker, crispy version.
Gluten-Free Option
Use gluten-free bread or baguette and ensure your sauce and toppings are gluten-free.
Vegan Version
Use vegan butter, plant-based cheese, and veggie toppings to make a dairy-free alternative.
How to Make It Ahead
Garlic Butter Spread
You can prepare the garlic butter in advance and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for longer.
Assembled but Unbaked
Make the entire pizza (garlic bread base + toppings), then wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Bake just before serving.
How to Store and Reheat
Storing Leftovers:
Place cooled slices in an airtight container or zip-top bag and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating Options:
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Oven: Reheat at 375°F for 5–7 minutes.
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Air Fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 3–4 minutes.
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Microwave: 30 seconds to 1 minute (less crispy).
Serving Suggestions
Garlic bread pizza is filling on its own but pairs beautifully with:
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Fresh green salad
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Tomato basil soup
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Mozzarella sticks
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Chili garlic dip or ranch dressing
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Roasted veggies or coleslaw
Nutritional Overview
Per average slice (without toppings):
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Calories: ~230
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Fat: 12g
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Carbohydrates: 22g
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Protein: 8g Note: Values vary based on toppings and bread type.
FAQs
Can I make garlic bread pizza in the toaster oven?
Yes! Just adjust the cook time and keep an eye on browning.
Is this freezer-friendly?
You can freeze baked garlic bread pizza slices. Reheat from frozen at 375°F until warmed through.
Can I make it spicy?
Add sliced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, or spicy sausage for heat.
What’s the best cheese for melting?
Mozzarella is classic, but provolone, cheddar, and Monterey Jack all melt well and add variety.
Can I grill garlic bread pizza?
Yes—toast bread on the grill first, then add toppings and return to the grill until the cheese melts.
Conclusion
Garlic bread pizza is an easy, flavorful way to satisfy two cravings in one dish. It’s quick to assemble, endlessly customizable, and perfect for any occasion—from weeknight dinners to weekend parties.
Once you’ve tried it, this recipe might just become your go-to whenever you need something comforting, cheesy, and packed with garlicky goodness. Don’t forget to serve it with extra napkins—and maybe a dipping sauce or two.