What is Papa Murphy's crust made of? A Deep Dive into Fresh Ingredients

According to employee and ingredient disclosures, Papa Murphy's makes their signature pizza dough fresh daily in-house using a specific mix of enriched flour and other components. So, what is Papa Murphy's crust made of, and what gives it that perfect Take 'N' Bake texture and flavor you love?

Quick Summary

Papa Murphy's utilizes fresh, daily-made dough for its Original crust, composed of enriched wheat flour, soybean oil, sugar, and yeast. The chain also offers alternatives, including a distinct gluten-free crust, cauliflower crust, and crustless options.

Key Points

• Freshly Made Dough: Papa Murphy's prepares its main pizza dough fresh daily in-store, using a proprietary pre-packaged mix of enriched wheat flour, yeast, and other ingredients.

• Specific Gluten-Free Recipe: The gluten-free crust uses a dedicated ingredient list, including tapioca starch, brown rice flour, and egg whites, though it's prepared in a shared kitchen.

• Varied Textures: Different crusts like Thin, Pan, and Cheesy Stuffed are created using the same base dough with different preparation methods to achieve distinct textures.

• Alternative Base Options: For low-carb or specific dietary needs, Papa Murphy's offers a cauliflower crust and a completely crustless option.

• Take 'N' Bake Philosophy: The unbaked, fresh nature of the dough ensures customers enjoy a high-quality, hot pizza straight from their own oven.

The Classic Original Crust: The Heart of the Pizza

At the core of many Papa Murphy's fan favorites is the fresh, house-made Original crust. A key ingredient list from a mix, shared by a former employee, provides insight into its components. The foundation is enriched wheat flour, a common pizza base that provides the structure and chewiness. Enriched flour has had certain nutrients added back in, including iron, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid.

Other crucial ingredients for the Original crust include:

• Yeast: The vital leavening agent that makes the dough rise and gives it its signature airy yet substantial texture.
• Soybean Oil: Contributes to the tender crumb and moisture retention of the crust.
• Sugar: Provides food for the yeast and adds a subtle hint of sweetness to the baked crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the dough.
• Sodium Aluminum Phosphate and Baking Soda: These are chemical leavening agents that work alongside the yeast for a consistent rise.
• Wheat Gluten and Ascorbic Acid: Added to improve the dough's elasticity and strength, ensuring it holds up under a variety of toppings.

This specific combination of ingredients, combined with the daily preparation, ensures that every Original crust has a consistent, fresh flavor and texture when you bake it at home. The 'Take 'N' Bake' model ensures that you get a piping hot, perfectly cooked pizza straight from your own oven, without the crust drying out from reheating.

The Gluten-Free Crust: A Dedicated Recipe for Dietary Needs

For guests with gluten sensitivities, Papa Murphy's offers a Medium-sized Gluten-Free crust with a distinct set of ingredients. It is important to note that, as stated by the company, this crust is prepared in a shared kitchen, meaning cross-contamination with gluten products is a possibility. The ingredients for this special crust include:

• Water, Tapioca Starch, and Brown Rice Flour: These gluten-free alternatives replace traditional wheat flour to create the dough's structure.
• Non-Gmo Canola Oil: A key fat source that ensures the crust remains moist and flavorful.
• Egg Whites: Provide binding and leavening properties that mimic some of gluten's functions.
• Dried Cane Syrup, Tapioca Syrup, and Tapioca Maltodextrin: Natural sweeteners and additives that aid in fermentation and flavor.
• Salt and Xanthan Gum: Salt for flavor, while xanthan gum acts as a stabilizer, providing the elasticity and texture that gluten would normally offer.
• Yeast, Cultured Corn Syrup Solids, and Citric Acid: The leavening agents and natural mold inhibitors ensure a fresh product.

Variety in Texture: Thin, Pan, and Stuffed Crusts

Beyond the Original dough, Papa Murphy's offers several other crust options, each with a unique preparation method to achieve a different texture and flavor profile. While the exact ingredient mixes are proprietary, the final product is a result of both composition and baking process.

• Thin Crust: This crust is rolled out thinly, and likely contains a similar flour-based mix to the Original, but its preparation focuses on achieving a crispy, light result. Thin crust pizzas allow the toppings to be the star of the show.
• Pan Crust: A thick crust option that has a buttery, crispy bottom and a soft, fluffy interior. The dough is pressed into a pan, and the extra thickness and oil contribute to its unique, rich texture.
• Cheesy Stuffed Crust: This indulgent option uses the scratch-made dough, but features a string of mozzarella cheese stuffed directly into the edge of the crust, creating a hot, melty surprise in every bite.

Beyond Traditional Dough: Other Crust and Base Options

Recognizing diverse dietary needs, Papa Murphy's has innovated beyond traditional flour-based doughs. These options provide further flexibility for customers seeking low-carb, gluten-friendly, or veggie-packed meals.

• Cauliflower Crust: This 10-inch option offers a lower-carb, vegetable-based alternative for pizza lovers. The exact ingredients are not detailed in the available search results, but like similar products, it typically combines cauliflower with binders like egg or cheese to form a firm base.
• Crustless (Keto-Friendly): For those following keto or very low-carb diets, the crustless option provides a base of your favorite toppings and cheese in a pan, baked without any dough at all. This removes the crust question entirely and focuses solely on the toppings and cheese.

How Papa Murphy’s Crusts Stack Up

To better understand the differences, here is a comparison of Papa Murphy's most popular crust options, outlining their key features.

Crust Type	Key Ingredients	Texture	Best For	Dietary Considerations
Original	Enriched wheat flour, yeast, oil, sugar, salt	Substantial, soft, and chewy	The classic pizza experience, generous toppings	Contains gluten
Gluten-Free	Tapioca starch, brown rice flour, egg whites, xanthan gum	Crispy, thinner than original	Gluten-sensitive diners who still crave pizza	Gluten-friendly, but prepared in a shared kitchen
Thin	Flour-based (similar to Original)	Thin, light, and crispy	Showcasing toppings, lighter meal	Contains gluten
Pan	Flour-based (similar to Original)	Buttery, crispy on the bottom, fluffy interior	Indulgent, hearty meal with rich flavor	Contains gluten
Cheesy Stuffed	Flour-based (similar to Original), mozzarella cheese	Doughy with a cheesy, gooey surprise inside	Cheese lovers, added indulgence	Contains gluten
Cauliflower	Cauliflower, binders, seasonings	Crispy, savory, and veggie-forward	Low-carb diets, vegetable-forward meals	Gluten-free, but prepared in a shared kitchen

Conclusion

What is Papa Murphy's crust made of? The answer depends entirely on the variety you choose. The common thread across their offerings is the company's commitment to freshly prepared dough, made daily in-store for the Take 'N' Bake concept. The Original crust uses a classic combination of enriched wheat flour, yeast, and other key ingredients to provide a balanced flavor and satisfying chew. For those with dietary restrictions, Papa Murphy's provides dedicated recipes for their gluten-free and cauliflower crusts, along with a crustless option. This diversity ensures that every customer can find a crust tailored to their taste and needs, all with the hallmark freshness of a home-baked pizza.

Visit the official Papa Murphy's website for their latest menu and nutritional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Papa Murphy's pizza dough made fresh every day?

Yes, according to reports and company information, Papa Murphy's pizza dough, including the Original crust, is made fresh daily in-store from a proprietary mix.

What is in Papa Murphy's Original crust?

The Original crust is primarily made from enriched wheat flour, soybean oil, sugar, salt, and yeast, with additional ingredients like sodium aluminum phosphate and ascorbic acid to aid in texture and leavening.

Does Papa Murphy's offer a gluten-free crust?

Yes, Papa Murphy's offers a gluten-free crust, which is typically medium-sized and made with tapioca starch and brown rice flour instead of wheat flour.

Is the gluten-free crust safe for people with celiac disease?

Papa Murphy's states that its gluten-free crust is prepared in a shared kitchen with gluten-containing products. While efforts are made to minimize cross-contamination, those with severe sensitivities like celiac disease should be aware of the risk.

Does Papa Murphy's have a low-carb crust option?

Yes, for those seeking low-carb options, Papa Murphy's provides a crustless pizza, which is a tray of toppings and cheese baked without any dough.

What is the difference between Thin and Pan crusts?

The Thin crust is rolled out to be crisp and light, while the Pan crust is thicker, pressed into a pan, and results in a buttery, rich, and fluffy interior with a crispy bottom.

What is the Stuffed crust made of?

The Stuffed crust starts with the same fresh dough as the Original but is filled with a roll of mozzarella cheese along the edge for a hot, gooey, and indulgent crust.