Papa John's Pan Pizzas: Massive Or Modest?

Papa John's Pan Pizza is a hearty pizza with a thick and crunchy crust. The pizza features toppings and cheese that extend to the edge of the pizza, creating a caramelized crust. The pizza is baked in an oiled pan, resulting in a thicker crust with crispy edges. It is the chain's first pan pizza option and is available in a 12 size.

Pan pizza's unique cooking method

Pan pizzas are baked in a cast iron skillet, rather than on a sheet tray or pizza stone, which gives them their signature thick, crisp crust. This cooking method also makes them easier to prepare since you can stretch the dough directly in the skillet, avoiding the tricky process of transferring it from a pizza peel or cutting board onto a hot surface in your oven.

The dough for pan pizzas is designed to form air pockets, resulting in a deep, puffy, focaccia-like crust that is crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This is achieved through a unique layering technique, where the dough is first topped with cheese, followed by sauce, and then more cheese. The initial layer of cheese acts as a barrier, preventing the crust from becoming soggy due to the sauce.

To cook a pan pizza, a hot oven and a cast iron pan are used to bake the crust until it is deeply golden and crisp. The high temperature produces more microbubbles on the exterior, giving the pizza a crunchier texture and more character. The heat also results in a more open, airy crumb structure.

The cooking method for pan pizzas involves a long, slow rise, which maximises flavour and chewiness in the crust. This is achieved by letting the dough sit overnight, allowing enzymes to break down proteins and yeast to consume sugars in the flour. The dough is then placed in a hot oven, resulting in a thick, golden-brown, fried crust.

Papa John's pan pizza sauce

Papa John's pan pizza features a hearty tomato sauce and a thick, crunchy crust with cheese that goes all the way to the edges. The sauce is noticeably more tomato-y and less sweet than the regular Papa John's pizza sauce, with a strong herby flavour. The ingredients for the sauce include fresh vine-ripened tomatoes, sunflower oil, sugar, salt, garlic, spices, extra virgin olive oil, and citric acid (to maintain freshness).

The pan pizza is baked in an oiled pan, resulting in a thicker crust with crispy edges. The cheese goes all the way to the edge, creating a caramelized crispiness. However, some reviews mention that the cheese distribution could be improved, as it is more like light sprinkles rather than an even layer.

The crust of the pan pizza has received mixed reviews. While some enjoy the crispy, crunchy, and buttery edges, others have found it to be undercooked and doughy, especially just under the toppings. The flavour of the crust has also been described as having an odd, artificial taste, possibly due to spoiled oil.

The pan pizza is available in a 12-inch size, and the price for a pan pizza with three toppings is around $10.

The pizza's crust

Papa John's pan pizza is described as having a thick, hearty crust that's light and fluffy with crispy edges and cheesy caramelized goodness. The pizza is baked in an oiled pan with the dough pushed up against the edges, resulting in a thicker crust with crispy edges. The cheese goes all the way to the edge, so you don't feel like you're left with a half-cooked breadstick at the end of your slice. The crust under the toppings is chewy without being soggy.

The crust is made with just seven ingredients: flour, extra virgin olive oil, cold-filtered water, sugar, salt, yeast, and oil. The dough is made fresh, but some reviewers have noted an odd, artificial flavour that they couldn't quite pinpoint. Papa John's has addressed this issue by stating that the dough is made with only fresh ingredients and that the strange flavour may be due to spoiled oil.

The pan pizza is a permanent menu item and is the company's biggest product launch in over a decade. It is only available in a 12" size, and a three-topping pizza will cost you $10.

The cheese used

Papa John's pan pizza is a 12-inch pizza with a thick and hearty crust that's light and fluffy with crispy edges. The cheese used in the pan pizza is a key component that contributes to its unique taste and texture.

The combination of the crispy edges and the stretchy, melted cheese creates a delightful contrast in textures. The cheese also helps to bind the toppings together, creating a cohesive bite with each slice. It is worth noting that the cheese extends all the way to the edge of the pizza, preventing the crust from drying out and becoming too crunchy. This results in a more uniform and consistent texture throughout the pizza.

While the exact type of cheese used in Papa John's pan pizza may not be publicly known, the combination of cheeses likely contributes to the overall flavour profile. The cheese blend is carefully selected to complement the other ingredients and enhance the taste of the pizza. The ratio of cheese to other toppings is also balanced, ensuring that the cheese does not overpower the other flavours but rather enhances them.

In addition to the type of cheese, the quantity used in Papa John's pan pizza is also noteworthy. A generous amount of cheese is added to ensure that each bite is packed with flavour. The cheese pulls and stretches as one pulls the slice, creating an indulgent and satisfying eating experience. The cheese also contributes to the overall calorie and fat content of the pizza, making it a decadent treat.

The toppings

Papa John's pan pizza is a hearty meal, with a thick and crunchy crust, and cheese that goes all the way to the edge. The pizza features a variation of Papa John's classic sauce, which is more tomato-y and less sweet, with added herby notes. The cheese is meant to go all the way to the edge, creating a caramelized crust. However, some reviews have noted that the cheese was more of a light sprinkle than an even layer, resulting in a lack of the desired crispiness.

The pan pizza can be topped with up to three toppings of your choice. Some popular topping options include spicy sausage, onions, and mushrooms. Papa John's also offers other classic toppings such as pepperoni, green peppers, black olives, and tomatoes. You can also choose from a variety of specialty pizzas, such as the Pan John's Favorite, which includes a combination of popular toppings.

The pan pizza provides a good amount of toppings, and the different combinations available pack a lot of flavor. However, some customers have expressed disappointment with the amount of toppings, stating that they were woefully inadequate for a pan pizza.

Papa John's pan pizza is a permanent menu item and is available for delivery or pickup at participating locations.

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