By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 9, 2016
FRENCH BREAD PIZZA BITES are the easiest and tastiest cheesy appetizer! These mini french bread pizzas are loaded with garlic butter, cheese, and all of your favorite toppings. They make a great appetizer (the perfect party food), but we may just eat them as an entire meal!
French Bread Pizza
French Bread Pizza Bites are the perfect party food or appetizer. These mini pizzas are slathered in garlic butter, topped with the best toppings, and slices into bite-sized pieces. Yum!
As a full-time food blogger, I’m ashamed to admit how often we order pizza. What can I say, it’s just a weakness! But as much as we like pizza, it’s really the cheese bread that we crave most. I always manage to fill up on cheese bread before I even get started on the pizza. I mean, I guess that means more leftovers for later, but still what a shame!
Well instead of ordering pizza tonight, we are just making cheese bread at home. GARLIC BUTTER FRENCH BREAD PIZZA BITES actually! It’s cheese bread amped up with lots of toppings, LOTS of garlic butter, and cut into (almost) bite-sized pieces. They’re so good and they’re perfect for dipping. It’s like having a mix of pizza and cheese bread in one, so you don’t have to decide which one to fill up on. Just eat pizza bites!
You could keep them whole and just eat these as mini french bread pizzas for a meal. No one will know the difference! But cutting them into pizza bites is so much fun. It makes them easier to eat, easier to share, and easier to dip! Serve them with ranch dressing or marinara sauce to really kick them up a notch.
The Best French Bread
The most important part of great Garlic Butter French Bread Pizza Bites is good quality bread. My absolute favorite when cooking at home is La Brea Bakery ! You might know their name if you’ve ever been to their amazing stores in California (DOWNTOWN DISNEY!), but did you know you can also buy their amazing bread at your local Walmart?!
Their Take and Bake French Dinner Rolls and their Take and Bake Demi Baguettes are both available in the frozen aisle at Walmart and I just couldn’t be more excited. They took our run of the mill homemade cheese bread from normal to FABULOUS just like that. You have simply got to try them!
French Bread Pizza Toppings
Because variety is the spice of life, I like to make my French Bread Pizza Bites with lots of different toppings. You can choose whatever flavors you like best, but I made Meat Lover’s, Pepperoni, Simple Cheese, and Margherita. The Margherita was my favorite and the Pepperoni was Pat’s favorite (he’s a man of simple tastes). But what really makes these delicious is that layer of garlic butter. YES PLEASE!
Here are some fun topping ideas to try!
- Meat Lover’s Pizza: Crumbled Sausage, Canadian Bacon, Pepperoni, Cheese
- Margherita Pizza: Tomatoes, Basil, Cheese
- Veggie Lover’s Pizza: Peppers, Mushroom, Olives, Onion
- Ultimate Cheese Pizza: Mozzarella, Cheddar, Parmesan, Asiago
Wow, I’m getting hungry. The topping options are limitless with these mini french bread pizzas. Go crazy and make your favorite pizza in bite-sized form, or keep it classic with cheese. The garlic butter base is my favorite part of this recipe, and I think that’s what really makes these so good. No sauce to interfere with the cheese and other flavors.
How to Make French Bread Pizza Bites
French Bread Pizza Bites are so easy to make, you’ll want to make them ALL the time. They really make the perfect little appetizer or party food for casual occasions. These french bread pizzas work just as well for a quick dinner too. Make the pizzas, and then leave them as is instead of cutting them into small bites. Simple and delicious!
How to Make Mini French Bread Pizzas:
- Bake the french bread for about 9-10 minutes at 385°F (or according to package instructions; you want them to just start getting brown and crispy, but not fully cooked). Then cut the bread in half length-wise.
- Mix garlic, butter, and olive oil in a bowl, and microwave it for 1 minute, stirring to combine. Then mix in the parsley and Parmesan.
- Brush the inner side of the bread with the garlic butter (add as much as you want!)
- Sprinkle on the shredded cheese and any other toppings you choose to make your pizzas.
- Bake the french bread pizzas for about 5-7 minutes, until cheese is melted.
Once your pizza are done, you can serve as is, or you can cut them into small slices to make mini pizza bites. The pizza bites are perfect for dipping, so serve with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or any other dip you like!
If you like these pizza bites, try these other fun appetizers too:
- Baked Cheeseburger Sliders
- Texas Toast Pizza
- Easy Soft Pretzel Bites
- Pizza Cupcakes
- Slow Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Dip
- Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings
- Baked Chicken Tacos
- Easy Stromboli Recipe
- Mini Margherita Pizzas
- Pepperoni Pizza Gnocchi Bake
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 loaves La Brea Take and Bake Demi Baguettes 1 package
- ▢ 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ▢ 4 tablespoons salted butter
- ▢ 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ▢ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ▢ 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ▢ toppings such as mini pepperonis cooked sausage crumbles, cooked bacon crumbles, canadian bacon, tomato, fresh basil, or anything you like!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 385F
- Place the La Brea Demi Baguettes directly on the center rack and cook for 9-10 minutes, until just almost done and browned.
- Remove bread from the oven and cut with a bread knife length wise. Set the 8 pieces on a large baking sheet and set aside.
- In a medium microwave safe bowl, combine the garlic, butter, and olive oil.
- Microwave for one minute or until fully melted. Stir to combine.
- Stir in the parsley and parmesan.
- Brush each cut side of the bread generously with the butter mixture.
- Cover each piece of bread with the shredded cheese, and then top with your favorite toppings. Add a bit more cheese on top.
- Place back in the oven and bake for 5-7 more minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and cut into slices.
- Serve with ranch or marinara sauce for dipping.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Garlic Butter French Bread Pizza Bites
Ingredients
- 4 loaves La Brea Take and Bake Demi Baguettes 1 package
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- toppings such as mini pepperonis cooked sausage crumbles, cooked bacon crumbles, canadian bacon, tomato, fresh basil, or anything you like!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 385F
- Place the La Brea Demi Baguettes directly on the center rack and cook for 9-10 minutes, until just almost done and browned.
- Remove bread from the oven and cut with a bread knife length wise. Set the 8 pieces on a large baking sheet and set aside.
- In a medium microwave safe bowl, combine the garlic, butter, and olive oil.
- Microwave for one minute or until fully melted. Stir to combine.
- Stir in the parsley and parmesan.
- Brush each cut side of the bread generously with the butter mixture.
- Cover each piece of bread with the shredded cheese, and then top with your favorite toppings. Add a bit more cheese on top.
- Place back in the oven and bake for 5-7 more minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and cut into slices.
- Serve with ranch or marinara sauce for dipping.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
