Cheesy Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe: Crispy Crust & Gooey Cheese

Two comfort-food favorites come together in this Cheesy Garlic Bread Pizza recipe, made with either homemade or store-bought pizza dough for a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Do you want cheesy pizza? Yes. Garlic bread? Absolutely. Cheesy Garlic Bread Pizza? Definitely yes. This recipe keeps things simple: familiar ingredients, an easy cheese-garlic spread, and about 25 minutes from start to finish.

How to Make Cheesy Garlic Bread with Pizza Dough

Pizza dough and bread dough share the same basic ingredients—water, flour and yeast—but differ in yeast quantity and handling. Pizza dough tends to be less elastic and requires less proofing than traditional bread dough, but it still makes an excellent base for garlic bread-style pizzas. The dough’s texture will lean toward pizza crust, while a buttery, garlicky cheese mixture delivers the classic garlic bread flavor.

This recipe uses a spreadable blend of butter, mayonnaise, fresh herbs and cheeses that’s easy to mix and smooth onto the rolled dough. Bake for about 10 minutes, then broil briefly so the cheese bubbles and the top turns golden—simple steps that yield big flavor.

What Can I Add to Pizza Dough for Flavor?

You can boost dough flavor by adding seasonings directly into the dough—garlic powder, dried herbs, or spice blends like everything bagel seasoning work well. For finishing touches, brush the crust with butter, sprinkle grated Parmesan over the edge, and use cornmeal on your pizza stone or baking sheet. Cornmeal adds a subtle crunch and a nutty flavor and also helps prevent sticking.

Can I Substitute Garlic Powder for Fresh Garlic?

Yes. A good rule of thumb is that 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder equals one fresh garlic clove, so this recipe would use about 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder in place of two fresh cloves. Make sure you use garlic powder—not garlic salt—so you can control the overall seasoning.

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Appetizer

Cheesy Garlic Bread Pizza

Two of the ultimate comfort food favorites join forces in this recipe for Cheesy Garlic Bread Pizza made with homemade or store-bought pizza dough.

Author: Kelly Senyei

Prep Time
10 mins

Cook Time
15 mins

Total Time
25 mins

Servings
8 servings

Ingredients

• Flour, for dusting work surface
• 1 pound homemade or store-bought pizza dough
• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh chives, plus more for topping
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 475°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Lightly flour a work surface and roll the dough until it is about 1/4-inch thick.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, mayonnaise, chives, minced garlic and black pepper. Stir until smooth, then fold in the mozzarella and Parmesan.
4. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Spread the cheese-garlic mixture over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
5. Bake for 10 minutes. Switch the oven to broil and broil the pizza about 3 inches from the heat until the top is golden and the cheese bubbles, 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Sprinkle with additional chives if desired, slice and serve.

Notes

• Use cornmeal on a pizza stone or baking sheet to prevent sticking and add texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 289 kcal,
Carbohydrates: 28 g,
Protein: 7 g,
Fat: 17 g,
Sodium: 562 mg

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