Papa Murphy’s is a popular pizza chain that allows customers to take home fresh, uncooked pizzas to bake at home. With customized ingredients and crusts, Papa Murphy’s appeals to many different diets and preferences. For those avoiding dairy, a common question is whether Papa Murphy’s offers dairy-free pizza options.
Quick Overview
The short answer is yes, Papa Murphy’s does offer dairy-free pizza options by using a vegan cheese alternative and avoiding other dairy-based toppings. While the vegan cheese option limits the selection compared to regular dairy cheese pizzas, there are still many possible flavor combinations to create a tasty dairy-free pizza. Specific dairy-free options at Papa Murphy’s include:
- Vegan cheese alternative
- Dairy-free crusts
- Wide range of vegetable toppings
- Limited meat topping options
- Dairy-free sauces
So with some modifications and checking labels, those with dairy restrictions can still enjoy convenient take-and-bake pizza from Papa Murphy’s. Carefully choosing crusts, sauces, and toppings can result in a delicious dairy-free pizza.
Papa Murphy’s Cheese Options
For any pizza, the cheese is typically the main source of dairy. At Papa Murphy’s, traditional cheese options include mozzarella, cheddar, feta, Parmesan, and others. Obviously, these standard dairy cheeses are not suitable for a dairy-free diet.
Fortunately, Papa Murphy’s does offer dairy-free vegan cheese as an alternative topping option. The vegan cheese is described as having a mild flavor and creamy texture when baked. It can be used on any crust in place of regular dairy cheese.
While vegan cheese allows for a dairy-free pizza, it does limit the variety compared to regular cheese options. Papa Murphy’s offers several specialty pizzas with premium dairy cheeses like four cheese, ricotta, and goat cheese. With vegan cheese, you miss out on these cheese-centric specialty pizzas.
The vegan cheese also comes at an additional charge – typically $2 to $3 extra for a large pizza. So dairy-free options cost a little bit more compared to regular cheese pizzas.
Crusts
In addition to cheese, the crust is the other main component of pizza. Papa Murphy’s offers several crust options including:
- Original style
- Thin
- Crispy flatbread
- Gluten-free
- Cauliflower
The standard original style and thin crusts are both dairy-free friendly. They are made simply of wheat flour, yeast, and water without any dairy ingredients.
The crispy flatbread and gluten-free crust may contain some dairy components, so these should be avoided if strictly dairy-free. The cauliflower crust is a vegan and dairy-free option made mainly from cauliflower, eggs, and rice flour.
Toppings
For toppings, Papa Murphy’s offers an extensive selection of meat and vegetable options that can create a delicious dairy-free pizza:
| Meat Toppings | Dairy-Free? |
|---|---|
| Pepperoni | Yes |
| Italian sausage | Yes |
| Salami | Yes |
| Chicken | Yes |
| Bacon | Yes |
| Anchovies | Yes |
| Veggie Toppings | Dairy-Free? |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms | Yes |
| Onions | Yes |
| Black olives | Yes |
| Green peppers | Yes |
| Banana peppers | Yes |
| Jalapeños | Yes |
| Pineapple | Yes |
| Spinach | Yes |
| Tomatoes | Yes |
As the tables show, most standard meat and vegetable toppings at Papa Murphy’s are dairy-free. This allows for many flavor combinations to create a tasty dairy-free pizza. Just be aware that some premium toppings like artichoke hearts may contain dairy.
Sauces
In addition to toppings, sauces and drizzles can add lots of flavor to a pizza. Papa Murphy’s offers both dairy and dairy-free sauce choices including:
| Sauce | Dairy-Free? |
|---|---|
| Pizza sauce | Yes |
| Garlic Parmesan white sauce | No |
| Olive oil | Yes |
| Balsamic glaze | Yes |
| Buffalo sauce | Yes |
*Buffalo sauce is dairy-free but may be processed on equipment that also processes dairy.
The standard pizza sauce and olive oil are inherently dairy-free. The creamy garlic Parmesan white sauce is obviously a no-go for dairy-free diets. Drizzles like balsamic glaze and Buffalo sauce are safe bets for dairy-free as well.
Dairy-Free Pizza Combinations
Using the vegan cheese alternative and choosing dairy-free crusts, toppings, and sauces opens up many different dairy-free pizza possibilities at Papa Murphy’s. Some tasty combinations include:
- Veggie Lovers: Vegan cheese, original crust, mushroom, onions, black olives, spinach, pizza sauce
- Hawaiian: Vegan cheese, thin crust, ham, bacon, pineapple, pizza sauce
- BBQ Chicken: Vegan cheese, cauliflower crust, chicken, onions, barbecue sauce
- Supreme: Vegan cheese, original crust, pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, black olives, pizza sauce
These are just a few ideas showcasing the variety of dairy-free pizzas possible at Papa Murphy’s. Get creative with your favorite toppings and sauces!
Ordering Tips
When ordering a dairy-free pizza from Papa Murphy’s, keep these tips in mind:
- Request vegan cheese alternative as the cheese topping
- Ask which crusts and sauces are dairy-free
- Choose dairy-free meat and vegetable toppings
- Specify any allergy or dietary needs to staff
- Review ingredients and nutrition info online if available
- Ask staff to change gloves and wash equipment when preparing dairy-free pizzas
With some adjustments and extra care, Papa Murphy’s can be great option for those seeking a convenient, tasty dairy-free pizza. While options are more limited compared to regular pizzas, the customized take-and-bake approach still allows for great variety.
Nutrition
Going dairy-free at Papa Murphy’s not only accommodates dietary restrictions but also impacts the nutritional profile of the pizza. How does a dairy-free pizza compare nutritionally?
Compared to a regular cheese pizza, a dairy-free vegan cheese pizza tends to be:
- Lower in saturated fat and cholesterol: Dairy cheese is high in saturated fat and cholesterol while vegan cheese is cholesterol-free and contains unsaturated fats.
- Lower in protein: Dairy cheese is a concentrated source of protein but vegan cheeses typically provide less protein per serving.
- Potentially higher in sodium: Depending on the brand, vegan cheeses sometimes contain more sodium than dairy cheese.
- Higher in certain nutrients: Vegan cheese made from nuts or soy may contain more vitamin E, calcium, or other nutrients vs. dairy cheese.
The exact nutrition difference depends on the specific vegan cheese used. But in general, dairy-free pizza shifts the nutrition profile significantly by reducing cholesterol and saturated fat from dairy cheese.
Cost Comparison
On average, a dairy-free pizza from Papa Murphy’s costs $2 to $3 more than a regular cheese pizza. Here’s a typical cost breakdown:
| Pizza | Base Price | Cheese Price | Total Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular cheese pizza | $7.99 | $1.25 | $9.24 |
| Dairy-free vegan cheese pizza | $7.99 | $3.25 | $11.24 |
The increased cost comes from the vegan cheese topping, which is around $2 more expensive than regular dairy cheese. Those with dietary restrictions may find the extra cost worthwhile for the ability to enjoy a customized, conveniently bake-at-home pizza.
Taste Comparison
In terms of taste, dairy-free pizza from Papa Murphy’s generally stacks up well against regular dairy cheese pizza, though the flavors are a bit different.
Benefits of the vegan cheese include:
- Creamy, smooth texture
- Melts nicely when baked
- Still provides cheesy flavors
Downsides of vegan cheese:
- Milder flavor than real dairy cheese
- Less salty, tangy taste
- Differing taste/texture if dairy allergy forces other changes
While it lacks some of the sharpness of real cheese, the vegan cheese holds up well in terms of texture and meltability. Overall, the pizza still tastes enjoyable but has a slightly different cheese flavor profile.
Customer Reviews
Here are some real customer reviews on the dairy-free pizza options at Papa Murphy’s:
“I was so excited to learn Papa Murphy’s has vegan cheese! I got a veggie pizza on an original crust with vegan cheese and it was delicious. The cheese got perfectly creamy and melty just like I remember real cheese pizza tasting.”
“I have a severe dairy allergy and was thrilled Papa Murphy’s has a dairy-free option. The staff were very helpful when I explained my allergy. While it’s not quite the same taste as regular pizza, it hits the spot when I’m craving pizza!”
“I don’t have any allergies but tried the vegan pizza out of curiosity. The vegan cheese definitely has a less intense flavor but overall the pizza still tasted great. I would get it again just to cut down on saturated fat and cholesterol compared to regular pizza.”
In general, reviews are positive regarding Papa Murphy’s dairy-free pizza options. Some compromises on cheese flavor are noted, but most customers are very happy to have a convenient, customizable pizza choice.
Conclusion
For those with dairy restrictions like allergies, intolerances, or vegetarian/vegan diets, Papa Murphy’s offers viable dairy-free pizza choices. While limited compared to the full selection of regular pizzas, Papa Murphy’s vegan cheese option allows creating customized pizzas that cater to individual tastes and dietary needs. With the right combination of crust, sauce, and toppings, dairy-free Papa Murphy’s pizza can satisfy any pizza craving.
