Cheesy Jamie Oliver Pizza Bread Recipe with Rustic Crust

Jamie Oliver’s pizza bread turns a simple baguette into a flavor explosion that dances between rustic comfort and gourmet excitement.

Imagine crisp, golden edges studded with vibrant ingredients and bubbling cheese.

Fragrant herbs and robust seasonings swirl across the bread’s surface, promising a sensory journey beyond ordinary snacks.

This culinary creation marries restaurant-style sophistication with home kitchen ease.

Each slice whispers tales of Italian-inspired deliciousness, packed with bold and harmonious tastes.

The recipe’s simplicity belies its incredible depth of flavor, making it a crowd-pleasing marvel.

Hungry souls will find themselves irresistibly drawn to this mouthwatering masterpiece that transforms an everyday baguette into an extraordinary feast!

What You Need for Jamie Oliver Pizza Bread

• French Bread: Choose a sturdy, crusty loaf with a soft interior for perfect texture.
• Olive Oil: Select high-quality extra virgin for a subtle, rich flavor.

• Butter: Use unsalted, creamy butter for smooth spreading.
• Garlic: Pick fresh, firm cloves with a vibrant aroma.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Select bright, deep red flakes for a spicy kick.
• Fresh Basil: Look for bright green leaves without wilting.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Choose fresh, soft cheese with good melting properties.
• Parmesan Cheese: Select aged cheese with a sharp, nutty flavor.
• Pepperoni: Pick high-quality, thinly sliced pepperoni for even coverage.
• Pizza Sauce: Use rich, tangy sauce with balanced tomato flavor.

Jamie Oliver Pizza Bread Cooking Tools

• Oven: Essential for toasting and baking pizza bread to golden perfection.
• Baking sheet: Provides a sturdy surface for preparing and cooking the bread.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing melted butter and minced garlic.
• Pastry brush: Helps evenly coat bread with delicious garlic butter.
• Knife: Needed for slicing bread lengthwise and cutting final portions.
• Cutting board: Gives a safe surface for slicing ingredients.
• Measuring cups/spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Pizza Bread Steps by Jamie Oliver

Sizzling Pizza Bread Explosion

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a blazing 400°F, creating the perfect toasty environment for your bread transformation.

• Butter Bliss Preparation

Slice bread dramatically down the middle, then whip up a garlic butter bath by mixing melted butter with minced garlic. Lavishly paint the bread’s surface with this flavor-packed mixture using a pastry brush.

• First Crispy Encounter

Lay the buttered bread on a baking sheet and send it into the hot oven. Let it dance and crisp for 10 minutes until golden edges start to peek through.

• Topping Carnival

Cover the toasted bread with a vibrant splash of pizza sauce. Create a flavor party by layering pepperoni, blanketing it with mozzarella, sprinkling parmesan, and dusting with fiery red pepper flakes.

• Melt and Merge

Return the loaded bread to the oven for another 10-minute adventure. Watch the cheese transform into a molten, bubbly masterpiece that promises pure deliciousness.

• Finishing Flourish

Shower the hot creation with freshly chopped basil leaves. Slice into irresistible portions and serve immediately, letting the aroma tantalize everyone nearby.

Helpful Add-Ons for Jamie Oliver Pizza Bread

Swap out pepperoni for crispy bacon bits or sliced ham for a different protein punch.

Replace meat with roasted bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to create a delicious plant-based version.

Adjust red pepper flakes based on your heat tolerance – use a pinch for mild or go heavy for extra kick.

Experiment with cheese blends like adding cheddar or provolone alongside mozzarella for deeper flavor complexity.

Serving Jamie Oliver Pizza Bread

• Serve as Appetizer Delight: Perfect for game nights, dinner parties, or casual gatherings, this pizza bread will wow your guests with its crispy edges and melted cheese.
• Pair with Fresh Sides: Complement the rich, cheesy bread with a light garden salad or crisp vegetable sticks to balance the flavors and add a refreshing touch.
• Create a Hearty Meal: Transform this pizza bread into a complete dinner by adding a side of marinara sauce for dipping and serving with a simple green salad or soup.
• Pack for Lunch Fun: Wrap individual slices in foil for a delicious packed lunch that will make coworkers or classmates jealous of your tasty midday meal.

Storing Jamie Oliver Pizza Bread Safely

• Maximize Freshness: Store leftover pizza bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap individual slices in aluminum foil to preserve moisture and prevent drying out.
• Reheat with Crispy Perfection: Revive cold slices by placing them in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 5-7 minutes. This method restores the crispy texture and melts the cheese beautifully, making leftovers taste almost as good as fresh.
• Freeze for Future Cravings: Prepare extra batches and freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and sealed in a freezer bag. Frozen pizza bread stays delicious for up to 1 month, providing a quick meal option for busy days.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the pizza bread up to the topping stage and store covered in the refrigerator for 24 hours before baking. This technique helps develop deeper flavors and saves precious time during meal preparation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 4

Crispy Jamie Oliver Pizza Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Jamie oliver pizza bread combines rustic Italian flavors with simple ingredients. Crispy edges and melted cheese make this quick recipe perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 loaf French bread
• 1.5 cups (375 ml) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Pepperoni slices
• 1 cup (240 ml) marinara or pizza sauce
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Basil, freshly chopped, for topping

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack in the center and preheat to 400°F (204°C), creating optimal cooking conditions for a crispy pizza bread.
2. Bread Foundation: Slice bread lengthwise, creating symmetrical surfaces for layering delectable toppings and ensuring even coverage.
3. Garlic Infusion: Melt butter and integrate minced garlic, creating a fragrant and flavorful base that will enhance the overall taste profile.
4. Butter Application: Utilize a pastry brush to generously coat bread surfaces with garlic-infused butter, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coverage.
5. Initial Toasting: Place bread halves on a baking sheet with buttered sides upward, then bake for 10 minutes until edges transform into a golden, crisp foundation.
6. Sauce and Toppings: Remove bread from oven and strategically layer marinara sauce, leaving a slight border, then uniformly distribute pepperoni slices, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes for complex flavor dimensions.
7. Final Baking: Return topped bread to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes, allowing cheese to melt completely and develop a slightly bubbly texture.
8. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven, garnish with freshly torn basil leaves, slice into portions, and serve immediately while maintaining maximum crispiness and warmth.

Notes

• Bread Selection Matters: Choose a sturdy, crusty bread like French or Italian loaf for optimal crunchiness and better structural integrity.
• Butter Technique: Warm butter helps infuse garlic flavor more effectively, creating a more aromatic and flavorful base.
• Cheese Melting Tip: Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded for superior melting quality and richer taste profile.
• Temperature Control: Allow pizza bread to rest for 2-3 minutes after baking to help cheese set and prevent burning your mouth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg