DIY French Bread Pizza Bar with Pepperoni, Pineapple &Amp; Pesto

Turn dinner into a fun, interactive experience with a DIY French bread pizza bar! Start with crusty demi-baguettes split in half, then let everyone pile on their favorite toppings-from classic pepperoni and mozzarella to sweet pineapple and fresh tomato. A drizzle of pesto adds an herby kick and a sprinkle of chili flakes after baking brings the heat.

This recipe is all about flexibility: set out bowls of marinara, shredded cheese, sliced pepperoni, pineapple chunks, tomato rounds and pesto, then let each person build their own pizza. Bake until the bread is toasted and the cheese is bubbly and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

4 tablespoon PestoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 cup Mozzarella CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3.5 ounce PepperoniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chili FlakesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 unit Demi-BaguetteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce PineappleView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 ounce Marinara SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Adjust oven rack to the top position (use top and middle positions if making 4 servings). Preheat oven to 450°F. Wash and dry produce. Halve baguettes lengthwise. Thinly slice tomato into rounds. Drain pineapple.
2. Place halved baguettes cut sides up on a foil-lined baking sheet (for 4 servings, divide between two sheets). Drizzle cut sides with olive oil. Set out mozzarella, pepperoni, sliced tomato, pineapple, marinara and pesto in separate serving bowls. Arrange baguettes and toppings family-style so everyone can build their own pizzas.
3. Bake assembled French bread pizzas on the top rack until bread is toasted and cheese melts, 7-10 minutes. (For 4 servings, bake on top and middle racks, swapping positions halfway through.) Tip: If you have other dishes to prepare, start them now.
4. Divide baked pizzas among plates. Serve chili flakes on the side for sprinkling.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a regular baguette instead of demi-baguettes?

Yes, use one large baguette cut into halves or thirds. Adjust baking time slightly if the bread is thicker.

How do I prevent the bread from getting soggy?

Drain any wet toppings like pineapple well and don’t overload with sauce. A light drizzle of olive oil on the bread before adding toppings also helps create a barrier.

Can I make these pizzas ahead of time?

You can prep the toppings and split the baguettes in advance, but assemble and bake just before serving for the best texture.