Description
Florida Beach Bread is a flavorful and easy-to-make appetizer featuring a crusty French bread base topped with a delicious combination of ranch dressing, fresh tomatoes, crumbled feta, melted mozzarella, and crispy bacon. Baked until bubbly and golden, this crowd-pleasing dish is perfect for parties or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread
- ¼ cup bottled ranch dressing
- 3 plum or Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1 (4-oz) container crumbled feta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup cooked chopped bacon
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 4 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to prepare for baking the bread with toppings.
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the loaf of French bread in half lengthwise. Place both halves cut side up on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Add the Toppings: Brush the cut sides of the French bread evenly with the bottled ranch dressing. Then sprinkle the cooked chopped bacon, diced tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese over the bread. Finally, sprinkle garlic powder evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese melts and starts to bubble, creating a delicious golden top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped green onions. Cut into slices and serve warm as a tasty appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Use Roma or plum tomatoes for less moisture and better texture.
- Make sure bacon is fully cooked before adding to bread.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or olives.
- Use fresh herbs such as parsley or basil for additional flavor if desired.
- Serve immediately for best texture, as bread can become soggy if left out too long.
