Craving something cheesy, soft, and flavorful? This easy homemade pizza bread is your answer. It’s quick to prepare, loaded with melty cheese, and perfect for lunchboxes or a simple snack. Even better, it’s freezer-friendly and tastes just like bakery pizza bread without the price tag.
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Why You’ll Love This Pizza Bread
Pizza bread is the kind of recipe that makes life easier and tastier at the same time. You don’t need yeast or long rising times, so it’s ready in under an hour.
The batter is simple to mix, and the toppings can be adjusted to whatever you have on hand. Love veggies? Add mushrooms, spinach, or extra bell pepper.
Prefer something heartier? Toss on ham, bacon, or even leftover chicken. The combination of soft bread, gooey cheese, and zesty pizza sauce delivers that bakery-style taste everyone craves.
It’s also budget-friendly and keeps well, making it ideal for meal prep. Whether you pack it for school, serve it at a picnic, or enjoy it with a salad at home, pizza bread always feels like a treat while still being practical and simple.
Ingredients for Pizza Bread
The Batter Base
The foundation of pizza bread is light yet hearty. You’ll whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to give it structure. Instead of yeast, these leaveners provide lift quickly. A mixture of egg, milk, sour cream, and olive oil creates a moist batter with just the right tenderness. Sour cream locks in moisture for days, while olive oil keeps each slice soft and flavorful. Shredded cheese is folded directly into the batter, ensuring pockets of melty goodness in every bite. Whether you choose cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a three-cheese blend, the flavor will shine through.
Toppings and Flavors
Now for the fun part: the toppings. Start with a layer of pizza sauce for that classic base. Add a generous sprinkle of cheese, then finish with onion, bell pepper, olives, and pepperoni. The mix of savory, salty, and fresh toppings makes each slice satisfying. For a twist, swap pepperoni with ham, or go meat-free with mushrooms and spinach. Even pineapple can be added if you love that sweet-salty bite. The toppings are completely customizable, which means this pizza bread can suit any mood or occasion.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Pizza Bread
Prepare the Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan). Lightly oil a 9×13-inch metal baking pan, then line it with parchment paper along the base and sides. This makes removing the bread much easier later.
Mix the Batter
In one bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. In a second bowl, whisk egg, milk, sour cream, and olive oil until smooth. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula. Add a cup of shredded cheese and fold it in just until the flour disappears. A few small lumps are fine, so don’t overmix.
Assemble the Pizza Bread
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Spoon pizza sauce over the surface, spreading it gently. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese, then add onion, capsicum, olives, and pepperoni slices. Make sure the toppings reach the edges for even flavor.
Bake and Rest
Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, then cover loosely with foil or another tray to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for another 15 minutes. Once baked, allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Lift it out onto a wire rack and cool another 10 minutes before slicing. Resting helps the structure set, giving you neat, soft slices.
Serving Suggestions
Pizza bread tastes great at room temperature, so it’s a perfect choice for lunchboxes or on-the-go snacks. Pack slices for school or work, or serve them at a party platter alongside other favorites. For a simple meal, pair pizza bread with a crisp green salad or a refreshing noodle salad with sesame peanut dressing. You can also serve it warm with dipping sauces like marinara, garlic butter, or ranch. If you’re preparing a weekend spread, balance it with light options like easy chicken sandwiches for a fun, shareable feast.
Storage and Freezer Tips
Store leftover pizza bread in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep it at room temperature if eating quickly, or refrigerate to extend freshness. To freeze, wrap slices individually or layer them with parchment paper inside a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven for 8–10 minutes at 160°C/320°F until warmed through. For a quick fix, microwave slices for 20–30 seconds, though the oven gives the best texture. These tips make it simple to prep ahead, save money, and always have a ready-to-go snack.
Expert Tips and Recipe Notes
Don’t overmix your batter. A gentle stir keeps the bread soft instead of dense. If you use only mozzarella, add an extra half teaspoon of salt for balance. Baking in glass or ceramic pans may need an extra three minutes, so keep an eye on the color and texture. Pre-shredded cheese is completely fine for convenience, even if fresh-grated gives a slightly smoother melt. To make it your own, swap pepperoni for cooked sausage, add mushrooms for earthiness, or try jalapeños for spice. Sour cream is your secret weapon for moisture, so don’t skip it. Remember, this recipe works because it’s flexible. It’s forgiving for beginners but still delivers bakery-style flavor every time.
Conclusion
Homemade pizza bread is simple, fun, and incredibly rewarding. With no yeast and minimal prep, it’s beginner-friendly yet still packed with flavor.
The customizable toppings mean you can keep it classic or experiment with bold new flavors. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly and budget-conscious, making it a smart choice for families and busy weeks.
So grab your ingredients, mix up the batter, and enjoy slices of cheesy, soft pizza bread that everyone will love. And don’t forget to share your favorite topping combinations so others can get inspired too!
For even more recipe ideas, visit For More Recipes, try these Chicken Sandwiches, or pair it with a fresh Noodle Salad with Sesame Peanut Dressing. You can also follow along on Pinterest for extra inspiration.
Pizza Bread
Equipment
- Mixing bowls One for dry, one for wet ingredients
- Whisk For smooth wet mixture
- Rubber spatula To fold batter gently
- 9×13-inch metal baking pan Use lined with parchment paper
- Wire rack For cooling before slicing
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain (all-purpose) flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk (full-fat or low-fat)
- ¼ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blend)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (for topping)
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- ¼ red onion finely sliced
- ½ green capsicum (bell pepper) finely sliced
- ¼ cup sliced kalamata olives
- 50 g pepperoni slices (about 1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan). Lightly oil a 23×33 cm (9×13-inch) metal pan and line with parchment paper.
- In one bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another, whisk egg, milk, sour cream, and olive oil until smooth.
- Pour wet mixture into dry and stir gently until almost combined. Fold in 1 cup shredded cheese just until no flour is visible.
- Spread batter into pan. Layer with pizza sauce, then sprinkle cheese, onion, capsicum, olives, and pepperoni.
- Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Cover with foil or tray and bake 15 more minutes. Rest 10 minutes in pan, then cool 10 minutes on rack before slicing.
