Papa John's Copycat Recipes
Papa John's fans obsess over one thing above all: the buttery garlic dipping sauce that comes with every order. Our copycats decode that famous garlic sauce plus the fresh, airy pizza dough behind the crust.
3 recipes
Papa John's built a pizza chain on a simple promise, but the thing fans actually obsess over is the garlic dipping sauce that comes with every order. It's a buttery, garlicky sauce people order extra cups of and put on everything. Beyond that, the chain's foundation is its dough: a fresh crust with a signature airy-yet-crisp texture, finished with a garlic-buttered rim. Recreating Papa John's at home really comes down to two things, nailing the garlic butter sauce and getting a good, well-proofed dough. Our Papa John's copycats cover the famous garlic dipping sauce, a richer special garlic sauce variation, and the pizza dough itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Papa John's garlic dipping sauce made of?
It's essentially a buttery garlic sauce: butter (or a butter-and-margarine blend) infused with garlic and a little salt. Our copycat nails the rich, garlicky flavor people order extra cups of, and it comes together in minutes.
Why does everyone love the garlic sauce so much?
It's pure buttery, garlicky richness, and it works on far more than pizza crust: breadsticks, wings, vegetables, even popcorn. That versatility (and the fact it ships with every pizza) is why it has a cult following.
What's the secret to Papa John's-style dough?
A fresh, well-hydrated dough with a full proof, stretched rather than rolled to keep the air in the rim, and baked hot. The result is crisp on the bottom and airy at the edge. Our copycat dough recipe walks through the proof and the stretch.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes; pizza dough actually improves with a slow, cold ferment. Make it a day or two ahead and keep it in the fridge, then let it come to room temperature before stretching for the best texture.
What's the difference between the two garlic sauces?
The classic dipping sauce is the buttery garlic one that comes with every pizza; the special garlic sauce copycat is a richer, more seasoned variation. Both are simple to make and store well in the fridge.