Describing the best frozen French bread pizza is like finding a treasure chest of culinary decadence. This compact convenience food combines the crunch and heft of a baguette with all the same savory toppings as traditional pizza offering a great twist on your usual pizza night. If you’re ever pressed for time, craving some comfort food, or simply want to try something new, one of these pizzas is sure to satisfy that longing.Â
In this article, we will be diving into everything you need to know about these delicious oven-baked treats; brands, cooking tips, and how you can make them taste even better!
Why Choose French Bread Pizza?
Frozen breaded French bread has its roots in the human race’s never-ending strive for good tasting fast meals. Unlike their traditional alternative with its often hand-tossed crust and carefully fermented dough frozen breaded French bread uses a split baguette instead of dough as its base which provides both crunch satisfaction and a hearty foundation.
Convenience is definitely at the top of why people love frozen French bread pizza so much. You don’t have to roll any dough or wait long periods of time for it to rise or bake. All you need to do is preheat your oven unwrap your pizza and in just minutes you’ll have yourself a crispy meal that will definitely fill you up.
Its unique qualities are what make it so special such as its chewy yet crisp texture and also being able to hold more toppings without making anything soggy sets them apart.. Adding on top of that the feeling of nostalgia that many people get from remembering easy after-school snacks or quick dinners on busy nights makes it hard not to think about these tasty snacks.
The bar chart above visually represents the nutritional content calories, total fat, sodium, and protein of the most popular frozen french bread pizzas from brands like DiGiorno, Stouffer’s, Red Baron, and California Pizza Kitchen. Each set of bars corresponds to a different brand, allowing for an easy comparison of nutritional values across these popular options.
Key Considerations When Choosing Frozen Breaded French Bread
When picking out what brand of frozen grocery store French bread pizza may seem like a simple task there are still factors that should be taken into thought when trying your best to find the perfect fit:
DiGiorno Artisan Style Melts: Known for their deep-dish style and a pizza where the toppings overpowers the bread. This one is a cut above. The toppings can make your mouth water, and the bread has that perfect balance of chewiness and crunch.
Stouffer’s French Bread Pizzas: You can never go wrong with classics! Stouffer’s makes them nice and crispy with all kinds of toppings from pepperoni, cheese, to deluxe options. It doesn’t matter what you like there’s an option for you.
Red Baron French Bread Singles: If you’re eating alone or trying to keep those portions in check then Red Baron has got you covered. Perfectly made for one person and they don’t lack flavor either. Personally I love the pepperoni ones.
California Pizza Kitchen Crispy Thin Crust: Although this isn’t your traditional french bread pizza, it’s still included because some people might want a lighter crust with gourmet toppings. There BBQ chicken pizza is really popular.
All brands have different cooking times and methods but overall they’ll always provide a decent meal. Of course everyone likes to check out consumer ratings as well on websites like Consumer Reports for even more insight on each brand’s performance.
The line graph above illustrates the consumer preference trends for frozen french bread pizza over the past year, with each line representing a different brand (DiGiorno, Stouffer’s, Red Baron, CPK). The monthly sales or popularity rankings, derived from online reviews, show how each brand has gained or lost market share over time.
How to spice up that frozen French bread pizza
Even though frozen foods are already perfectly fine there are ways to push things to greatness:
- If you want an extra crunchy outside, put your baking sheet or pizza stone in the oven while it preheats so it gets hot quicker then just drop your food on it
- Add whatever extra ingredients onto the food before baking it
- A side salad or steamed veggies will help round out your meal nutritionally
Cooking Tips for the Perfect Frozen French Bread Pizza
To get that perfect balance of crispy outside, but soft inside, follow these tips:
- Preheat the oven: This is a crucial step to cooking your pizza evenly. Follow the package instructions for the correct temperature.
- Thawing: To avoid sogginess, it’s generally recommended to cook your pizza straight from frozen.
Cook times and temperatures will vary, but a hot oven (around 400°F to 450°F) is typically best for crispy results.
Choosing between a pizza stone and a baking sheet can alter how your recipe comes out. A pizza stone will generally give you a crisper crust but requires preheating.
Ovens are all different as well, so keep in mind that your first try with a new brand might require some experimenting.
Here is a table comparing the top frozen french bread pizza brands based on key factors such as price, weight (size), number of varieties offered, average customer rating, and specific standout features:
Brand | Weight (Size) | Number of Varieties Offered | Average Customer Rating | Specific Standout Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DiGiorno Artisan Style Melts | 8.5 oz | 4 | 4.5/5 | Artisan quality, unique flavors |
This table provides a comprehensive overview of each brand, allowing for easy comparison across various factors important to consumers.
Where to Buy the Best Frozen French Bread Pizza
Availability is key when it comes to convenience foods; luckily, most top brands have made themselves available almost everywhere.
- Online shopping options like Amazon Fresh or Instacart often offer a variety of frozen French bread pizzas sometimes more than you can find in stores. You may also be able to nab larger packs or flavors not found elsewhere online.
- Local grocery stores should carry at least one brand in their freezer sections. Brands like Stouffer’s and Red Baron are always on shelves at my local store. Keep an eye out for sales and promotions so you can stock up on favorites at a lower price point.
For those looking beyond what they can find in-store, specialty food stores and online gourmet food retailers may carry unique and artisanal options.
Making your own French bread pizza from scratch may provide an even more personalized eating experience. In the next section, we’ll dive into a simple DIY approach to crafting your masterpiece.
DIY Approach: Making Your Own French Bread Pizza
If you love cooking or just don’t trust other people’s recipes, making your own French bread pizza can be a fun and rewarding kitchen experience. Here’s an easy recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf of French bread
- 1 cup of pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings of choice (pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, etc.)
- Olive oil (for brushing)
- Italian seasoning or fresh basil for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the bread: Cut the French bread loaf in half lengthwise, then crosswise if desired. Lightly brush the cut sides with olive oil.
- Add sauce and toppings: Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over each bread half. Sprinkle with cheese and add your chosen toppings.
- Bake: Place your prepared pizzas on the baking sheet and bake for around 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with Italian seasoning or fresh basil leaves before serving.
Making your own French bread pizza allows for endless customization. Try it out next time you’re planning a family dinner night!
Nutritional Considerations
Being mindful of what goes into frozen French bread pizza can help make it fit into a balanced diet. Many frozen options can have high amounts of calories, saturated fat, and sodium. To make a healthier choice look for pizzas that use things like:
- Whole-grain or multi-grain bread
- Vegetable toppings
- Reduced-fat cheese or alternative cheese options
- Lower sodium content
Also, consider adding some vegetables to balance out the meal when you eat your pizza.
Storage and Shelf Life Tips
To help your frozen French bread pizza stay as fresh and delicious as possible, make sure to use these storage tips:
Freeze: In case you bought too many or made your own. Freeze any pizzas you aren’t going to eat right away. Avoid freezer burn with airtight packaging.
Shelf life: If unopened, store-bought stuff can last for months in the freezer. But homemade versions should be eaten within 1-2 months for the best quality.
Defrosting and reheating: Cook from frozen for that perfect texture. Toaster ovens help leftovers retain crispiness if they need to be reheated.
Wrapping Up!
French bread pizza offers a new take on regular slices, whether you’re grabbing them from the grocery store or making your own at home. From keeping an eye on brand quality to trying different cooking methods and even experimenting with homemade recipes, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this crowd-pleasing dish. Don’t forget about nutrition though even with a meal as simple as this one, it’s important to try and balance indulgence with consideration.
Enjoy! And remember, the hunt for the greatest frozen French bread pizza is all about flavor discovery and convenience.
