Garlic Pizza Bread

If your family loves Pizza, this super tasty, garlic pizza bread is the perfect bake for you!

We will show you how to make your own dough for your pizza garlic bread or you can use premade pizza dough instead.

If you love cheese, add some parmesan to the garlic butter for cheesy garlic bread. Or add mozzarella cheese on top for an extra stringy and delicious topping.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• 📖 Step by Step Recipe
• Proofing Time
• Garlic Butter
• Cooking Time
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage Advice
• FAQs
• More Bread Recipes
• 💬 Reviews

Jump straight to the recipe card for full measurements and recipe instructions.

Ingredients

Here is a list of the ingredients to make this easy garlic pizza bread, including suitable substitutes and additional optional extras.

Garlic Bread Base

If you want to make garlic bread, decide whether to buy a pre-made dough or make your own. A pre-made base is perfect for a quick and easy option with less prep, skip on to the garlic butter! But making your own dough is fun and delicious.

• Dried Yeast -Makes dough rise and gives a chewy crust. Use packet yeast for easy measuring. Follow packet instructions for other yeast types.
• Active Yeast - Add to warm water (40-46°C / 104-115°F), stir and set aside for 10 minutes. If using fast action yeast you can mix with dry ingredients directly, no need to add to water.
• Plain Flour - Use plain or '00' Italian-style pizza flour for best results. Strong white bread flour makes for a more elastic dough but requires more kneading. Wholemeal flour gives a coarser texture and less rise. Use the same measurements for any flour.
• Sugar - Enhances flavour and texture of pizza dough.
• Herbs - Use dried herbs to avoid burning. Italian mixed herbs with chilli flakes add extra flavour.
• Olive Oil - Best for flavour and health benefits, but vegetable or sunflower oil can be used.

Garlic Butter

It's easy to make your own garlic butter, you will need a few ingredients.

• Garlic - Fresh minced garlic cloves are best. Substitute with garlic puree or garlic powder (use sparingly).
• Unsalted Butter - Preferred for controlling the saltiness, as additional salt and parmesan add flavour.
• Cheese - (optional) Parmigiano Reggiano: Adds a nutty, salty richness. Mozzarella: Grated for melted, stringy goodness.
• Fresh Herbs - Finely chopped parsley is ideal, but rosemary, chives, thyme, oregano, or basil are great alternatives.

This recipe creates enough dough for one pizza tray or can be broken into two balls to create two mini garlic breads.

Now you know what you need to make the perfect garlic bread pizza. See our recipe card below, and read on for more top tips.

📖 Step by Step Recipe

Our garlic bread pizza recipe was originally published on 18/02/2023. It was modified on 26/05/2024 with a simpler layout to make getting to the recipe card easier and improved advice.

Tips to Make Homemade Garlic Pizza Base

To make garlic pizza bread dough, start by preparing the active yeast (if that's what you are using) by adding it to water in a large bowl and setting it aside for ten minutes. If you are using fast-action yeast, you do not need to take this step.

Put the dry ingredients, flour, mixed herbs, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl, and add the yeast mixture and olive oil.

Transfer dough to a floured surface or parchment paper to knead your pizza dough. Knead it for about 12 minutes until it is smooth and not sticky.

Place your pizza dough back into the large bowl and cover while you make your garlic butter.

Proofing Time

Proofing is an important step when making pizza dough to ensure a quality finished product.

The time needed to proof the dough can vary depending on the temperature, humidity and other factors. Generally, you should allow the dough to proof at room temperature until it has doubled in size or until it's soft and spongy when touched.

If you don't proof the dough long enough before cooking, the result will be a thicker, denser crust with less rise than desired.

This isn't necessarily an issue for making thin crusts, but when creating thick crust bases, it's best to allow the full proofing time. This will help create a fluffy base that bakes up nicely and tastes delicious.

You can prepare the dough the night before and allow it to proof in the fridge overnight. Whilst your waiting, why not read about the history of garlic bread.

Thin Crust

To make a large, thin-crust pizza base (as seen in this post), use a rolling pin to help stretch it into a large and even thin-layer circle.

Thick Crust

For a thicker base, gently hand-stretch the proofed dough by putting flour on both sides and using your palms to shape it. This will result in a smaller, deep-pan base.

Once the base has been created, place it onto the pizza pan or baking tray.

Garlic Butter

While the garlic pizza base doubles in size, you can make garlic butter and keep it at room temperature. This will ensure that it spreads easily when it's time to top your delicious garlic bread pizza base with garlicky butter.

Add your minced garlic cloves, finely chopped parsley, unsalted butter and parmesan (if using) to a small bowl and mix it together to form garlic butter.

Spread your garlic butter mixture over your pizza base using a spatula or pastry brush.

You can also then add any further toppings you would like. Mozzarella cheese makes the perfect cheesy garlic pizza bread.

Cooking Time

Place your pizza base in a preheated oven set to 200°C fan/ 220°C/ 425°F/ Gas Mark 7 and cook for 10-12 minutes.

Remove the garlic pizza bread from the oven when it is golden brown and crisp. The golden brown colour indicates that the dough has been cooked through and has a delicious crunchy texture

Slice your delicious garlic pizza into mouth-watering pizza slices and serve it with a sprinkling of extra cheese, some black pepper, and some freshly chopped parsley for added flavour.

Enjoy your scrumptious homemade garlic bread!

Serving Suggestions

Serve your garlic pizza bread with tomato sauce for kids to dip into, or try our bbq sauce recipe.

Drizzle the slices with olive oil and a balsamic glaze for more sophisticated starters.

Serve as a main alongside a salad of tomato and mozzarella Caprese Salad.

It's also a great side dish for pasta dishes, as seen above with our Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese. Enjoy the ultimate comfort food combo with garlic pizza bread slices alongside our delicious Easy Cheesy Pasta Bake.

Storage Advice

Making garlic pizza bread dough in advance is a great way to save time on busy weeknights. Prepare the dough as normal and then store it in the fridge to proof overnight. (Make sure to put it in a big enough bowl; it will grow overnight!)

When ready to make the pizza bread, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling or stretching and topping it with your favourite ingredients.

The cooked garlic bread can be stored in the fridge for up to three days - wrap it securely with plastic wrap or foil before putting it away.

Reheat

Reheating garlic pizza bread is straightforward. Start by preheating your oven to 180°C fan / 200°C / gas mark 6/ 400°F. Take the chilled garlic pizza bread out of the refrigerator and wrap it in aluminium foil.

Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, until heated throughout. For extra crispiness, unwrap the foil during the last few minutes of cooking.

Microwave

You can also heat individual slices in the microwave for about one minute or until heated through. However, they can become a bit soggy.

FAQs

Other Starter Recipes

Our blog has some amazing starter recipes that are sure to impress - from comfort classics like Broccoli and Stilton Soup to more adventurous dishes like Chinese Chicken Wings or fancy Pan-Fried Scallops.

More Bread Recipes

We have a few bread recipes to suit any occasion. With helpful step-by-step guides and plenty of tips, you can bake a perfect loaf every time.

We hope you enjoy our garlic pizza bread recipe! If you love it, don’t forget to come back and try another one of our delicious recipes. Feel free to leave us your feedback as we would love to hear what you think about our garlic creation.