If you ask me, flatbread pizza is one of the best ways to get kids excited about cooking.
This kid-friendly take on pizza makes dinnertime fun and lets little ones join in on the kitchen action. A simple flatbread base gets topped with whatever your kids love most – from classic tomato sauce and cheese to their own creative combinations.
I love letting my kids arrange their toppings just the way they want them. They get such a kick out of making their own personal pizzas, and somehow vegetables become much more appealing when they’re scattered on a pizza they made themselves.
It’s a quick and easy meal that brings the whole family together, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or weekend lunch adventures.
Why You’ll Love This Flatbread Pizza
- Quick and easy – This 25-minute meal requires zero cooking skills and minimal prep work – perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
- Kid-friendly recipe – Children love helping to assemble their own pizzas, and the familiar flavors make it a guaranteed hit with even the pickiest eaters.
- Simple ingredients – With just a few basic ingredients you can grab at any grocery store, this recipe keeps shopping and preparation super simple.
- Customizable – Starting with a flatbread base means everyone can add their favorite toppings – making dinner time fun and ensuring everyone gets exactly what they want.
What Kind of Flatbread Should I Use?
Store-bought flatbread comes in several varieties, and any of them can work well as a pizza base. While this recipe calls for garlic and herb flatbread, you can also use plain naan, pita bread, or even lavash as your base. Most grocery stores stock these breads either in the bakery section or near the deli, and they usually stay fresh for several days when stored properly. If you’re making this for kids who might be picky about herbs, plain flatbread is a perfectly good option too. Just make sure to choose flatbreads that are relatively thick and sturdy enough to hold your toppings without getting soggy.
Options for Substitutions
This kid-friendly pizza recipe is super adaptable and easy to customize:
- Flatbread: Can’t find garlic and herb flatbread? Regular flatbread, naan, pita bread, or even tortillas work great. If using plain bread, just sprinkle some garlic powder and dried herbs on top before adding toppings.
- Mozzarella cheese: While mozzarella gives that classic pizza pull, you can use other mild cheeses like mild cheddar, provolone, or a pizza cheese blend. For dairy-free options, try plant-based cheese alternatives.
- Pepperoni: Easy to swap with other toppings kids love – try ham, turkey, cooked chicken, or keep it veggie with mushrooms or bell peppers. For vegetarian options, plant-based pepperoni alternatives work well too.
- Italian herbs: Out of Italian herbs? A mix of dried oregano and basil works just fine. You can even use dried pizza seasoning or just oregano on its own.
- Dipping sauces: Besides tomato soup or marinara, try ranch dressing, garlic butter, or pizza sauce. Kids often love these alternatives, and they’re usually pantry staples.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The biggest challenge when making flatbread pizza is ending up with a soggy crust – to keep it crispy, pre-bake your flatbread for 2-3 minutes before adding any toppings, and avoid overloading it with sauce or too many wet ingredients.
Temperature control is crucial: baking at too low a temperature will result in a limp crust, while too high will burn the cheese before the crust is done – aim for 400°F and keep an eye on the edges of your flatbread, which should be golden brown but not dark.
A common mistake is adding cold toppings straight from the fridge, which can prevent even melting – letting your cheese and toppings come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before assembling will help everything melt perfectly together.
For the crispiest results, try placing the flatbread directly on the oven rack instead of using a baking sheet, and if you’re making multiple pizzas, bake them one at a time to ensure even cooking.
What to Serve With Flatbread Pizza?
When serving flatbread pizza to kids (or kids at heart!), I like to keep the sides simple and fun. A crisp veggie platter with ranch dressing is always a hit – think baby carrots, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes that little hands can easily grab. For a complete meal, you might want to add a simple side salad with Italian dressing or some crunchy garlic bread sticks. If you’re hosting a pizza party, set up a few different dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, or garlic butter to make the meal more interactive and entertaining for the kids.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: If you have any leftover flatbread pizza (which rarely happens at my house!), wrap it in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container. It’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cheese might not be as stretchy, but it’s still pretty good cold – my kids actually love it this way for lunch!
Make Ahead: Want to prep these for busy weeknights? You can pre-assemble the pizzas without baking them and keep them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. This is super handy for quick after-school dinners – just pop them in the oven when you’re ready!
Warm Up: To get that just-baked taste back, pop your leftover pizza in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes. The microwave works too, but the flatbread might get a bit soft. My favorite trick is using the toaster oven – it makes the edges nice and crispy again!
Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
Cooking Time | 15-20 minutes |
Total Time | 25-35 minutes |
Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1200-1400
- Protein: 70-80 g
- Fat: 70-80 g
- Carbohydrates: 100-110 g
Ingredients
- 1 store-bought garlic and herb flatbread
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 pack of pepperoni
- Italian herbs
- Grated parmesan cheese for topping
- Tomato soup for dipping (if desired)
- Marinara sauce for dipping (if desired)
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (204°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for cooking.
Step 2: Prepare the Flatbread
Place your flatbread on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
Evenly add mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices across the surface of the flatbread.
Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the top for added flavor.
Step 3: Cook the Flatbread
Place the prepared flatbread in the preheated oven and cook at 400°F (204°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly, and the edges of the flatbread are crisp.
Step 4: Garnish with Parmesan
Once the flatbread is out of the oven, immediately garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
This will add a touch of richness and a hint of salty flavor.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Carefully remove the flatbread from the oven and cut it into strips or triangles for easy serving.
Pair it with a side of tomato soup or your favorite warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Enjoy your delicious creation!