Bushra Griffith
Papa John's offers cheese sticks as a side option, which are essentially pizzas without sauce or toppings. The cheese sticks are made with fresh dough, topped with special garlic sauce and Parmesan cheese, and served with pizza sauce for dipping. While the cheese used in the cheese sticks is the same as that used on pizzas, the dough and prep methods are different.
Characteristics and Values Table for Papa John's Cheese Sticks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Dough, garlic butter sauce, mozzarella cheese |
| Preparation | Dough is prepped differently, garlic butter sauce is used as the base sauce instead of tomato sauce |
| Serving Size | 4 sticks (136g) |
| Calories | 370 (from Fat - 150) |
| Fat | 16g (Saturated Fat - 7g) |
| Sodium | 860mg |
| Carbs | 41g (Sugar - 4g) |
| Protein | 14g |
| Price | $4.99 for a 10-inch order, $5.99 for a 12-inch order |
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What You'll Learn
Papa John's cheese sticks are made with the same dough as pizza
Papa John's cheese sticks are made with the same dough as their pizzas. The dough is made from unbleached, enriched wheat flour, water, sugar, soybean oil, salt, and yeast. The flour or flour blend used has a protein content of 13.4-13.6%.
The cheese sticks are made by taking the same dough and prepping it differently. The only difference in ingredients from a cheese pizza is the sauce. Instead of tomato sauce, the cheese sticks use garlic butter sauce. The same cheese is used as on the pizzas: part-skim mozzarella cheese, made from pasteurized milk, skim milk, cultures, salt, and enzymes.
The cheese sticks are a popular side dish at Papa John's and are loved by many customers. The dough is a key ingredient, providing a chewy and crispy texture to the cheese sticks. The same dough is used across many of Papa John's menu items, including their pizzas, garlic knots, and breadsticks. This creates a consistent taste and texture across their products.
The dough-making process at Papa John's is carefully monitored to ensure a high-quality product. The ingredients are measured and mixed in specific proportions to create a dough with the right consistency and flavor. The dough is then allowed to proof, or rise, before being rolled out and cut into the desired shape for the cheese sticks.
In addition to the dough and cheese, the cheese sticks at Papa John's are also made with a blend of spices and other ingredients to create a unique flavor profile. The exact blend is a closely guarded secret, but the ingredients list includes items such as modified food starch, cellulose, whey protein concentrate, and sodium citrate. These ingredients help to bind the cheese, create a crispy texture, and enhance the overall flavor of the cheese sticks.
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The difference is in the sauce—cheese sticks use garlic butter
Turning Pizza into Cheese Sticks: The Sauce Makes All the Difference
Papa John's cheese sticks are made from the same dough, cheese, and garlic butter sauce as their pizzas. The only difference is in the sauce—cheese sticks use garlic butter instead of tomato sauce. This sauce is what sets them apart and makes them so delicious and addictive.
The Garlic Butter Sauce
The garlic butter sauce is a key component that distinguishes cheese sticks from pizzas. It adds a robust garlicky flavour and a glossy, buttery finish to the dough. To make this sauce, you'll need butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Simply combine these ingredients in a small bowl and microwave them until the butter has melted. Then, whisk the mixture until it's well blended.
Preparing the Dough
The dough for the cheese sticks is similar to pizza dough. It typically includes all-purpose flour, which provides structure and a pleasant chewiness. Garlic salt enhances the garlic flavour and adds a salty kick, while a hint of granulated sugar helps to balance the dough's flavour and support the yeast's activity. Dry active yeast is essential for giving the dough a airy, golden texture. A splash of olive oil enriches the dough and ensures a smooth consistency.
Toppings and Baking
Once you've prepared the dough and brushed it with the garlic butter sauce, it's time to add the cheese. Shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese are excellent options for creating a gooey and savoury topping. You can also sprinkle on some Italian herbs, such as parsley, to enhance the flavour. Finally, bake the dough until the cheese is melted and golden, and the dough is browned.
Serving Suggestions
These garlic butter cheese sticks can be served as a snack or an appetiser. They are delicious on their own, but you can also offer warm pizza sauce or marinara sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven, savouring the crispy texture and the perfect combination of cheese and garlic.
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Cheese sticks are topped with mozzarella cheese
To turn a pizza into cheese sticks, you can follow a few simple steps. The key to a good cheese stick is the cheese itself, so it's important to choose the right type of mozzarella. For the best flavour and texture, opt for a block of whole milk mozzarella that you can cut into sticks yourself. If you're short on time, you can use string cheese, but the texture may be more gooey and less stretchy.
Once you've chosen your cheese, prepare your dredging components. You will need flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. The flour will help the liquid (eggs) stick to the cheese, so don't skip this step! After dipping the cheese sticks into the flour, coat them with the whisked eggs, and finally, press them into the breadcrumbs. This crispy coating will give your cheese sticks a delicious crunch.
Before frying, it's essential to freeze your breaded cheese sticks. Freezing them for about an hour or two will ensure the cheese is super cold, which helps to prevent the cheese from leaking out during frying. It also allows the shell to brown and crisp up nicely without overcooking the cheese.
When you're ready to cook, heat your favourite frying oil to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C). Carefully place two to four cheese sticks into the hot oil and fry until they turn a golden brown colour. Serve warm with a marinara dipping sauce, or try something different like Sriracha Aioli or BBQ sauce. Enjoy!
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The sticks are cut from a quartered dough
To turn a pizza into cheese sticks, you'll need to start with the dough. The dough is the foundation of any pizza, and getting the right consistency is crucial. In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt with a dough whisk or a wooden spoon. Add water and honey to the flour mixture and stir until a rough dough begins to form. You can use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and mix on low speed until a coarse ball forms, or you can do this by hand, kneading and folding the dough until it all comes together.
Once you have a rough dough, let it rest. This step is important as it allows the dough to relax and makes it easier to work with. After a few minutes of resting, mix the dough again on medium-low speed until it becomes soft and smooth. If you're mixing by hand, this will take about 4 minutes. The dough should be slightly sticky and supple at this stage. If it's too dry, add a little more water, and if it's too sticky, incorporate some more flour.
Now, it's time to shape the dough. Generously flour your work surface and cut the dough into quarters. Take one quarter of the dough and form it into a disc with your hands. You can stretch the dough by hand, working from the outer edges inward and turning it as you go. If you prefer a more uniform thickness, use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to your desired size. Remember, cheese sticks are typically thinner than a standard pizza, so aim for a relatively thin dough.
After stretching or rolling, it's time to add the toppings. For cheese sticks, you'll want to focus primarily on the cheese. Start with a generous coating of cornmeal on your pizza peel to prevent sticking. Then, place your stretched-out dough on the peel. Top the dough with shredded mozzarella cheese, being careful not to overload it. Remember, cheese sticks are all about that cheesy goodness, so go heavy on the cheese!
Finally, it's time to bake. Place your topped dough in the oven and bake at a high temperature until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown. The exact baking time will depend on your oven's temperature and how crispy you like your cheese sticks. Monitor the baking process closely to avoid overcooking. Once they're done, enjoy your freshly made cheese sticks! You can even dip them in garlic butter sauce or pizza sauce for extra flavour.
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The dough is stretched out by hand or with a rolling pin
To turn pizza into cheese sticks, you'll first need to prepare the dough. In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt with a dough whisk or a wooden spoon. Add water and honey to the flour mixture and stir until a rough dough forms. You can use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and mix on low speed for about 4 minutes until a coarse ball forms. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes, then mix again on medium-low speed for another 2 minutes until the dough becomes soft and smooth. If you prefer to mix by hand, knead and fold the dough until all the flour is incorporated, which should take about 4 minutes. The dough should be slightly sticky, soft, and supple. If it's too soft and sticky, mix in a little more flour, and if it's too stiff or dry, add a little more water.
Once your dough is ready, generously flour a clean work surface. Cut the dough into quarters, and take one quarter of the dough at a time to form it into a disc with your hands. You can now choose to stretch the dough by hand or with a rolling pin. If you're stretching by hand, work from the outer edges of the disc inward, gently pulling and turning the dough a quarter turn each time. Repeat this process until the dough has stretched out to your desired size. Alternatively, use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to your desired thickness and size.
The next step is to prepare your cheese sticks for baking. Generously coat a pizza peel with cornmeal and place your stretched-out dough on it. Shake the peel gently to ensure the dough isn't sticking. Now it's time to top your cheese sticks! Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce evenly over the dough, and then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Remember, when it comes to toppings, less is more.
Finally, bake your cheese sticks in the oven until the edges of the crust have risen slightly and turned golden brown. The baking time will depend on the temperature of your oven, but it usually takes around 5 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on your cheese sticks to ensure they don't burn. Enjoy your freshly baked Papa John's-inspired cheese sticks!
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Frequently asked questions
Papa John's sells cheese sticks as a side. You can order them in 10-inch or 12-inch portions.
Papa John's cheese sticks are made with fresh dough, topped with Special Garlic sauce, and covered with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. They are served with pizza sauce for dipping.
Papa John's sells 10-inch cheese sticks for $4.99 and 12-inch cheese sticks for $5.99.
Yes, the cheese used in the cheese sticks is the same as the cheese used on pizzas.
