If you love pizza but want the freshest, hottest slice right out of your oven, Papa Murphy’s take-and-bake pizzas are a game-changer. Unlike traditional delivery pizzas, Papa Murphy’s pizzas come uncooked, so you get to bake them yourself whenever you’re ready. This means no soggy crusts or lukewarm slices-just fresh, homemade-tasting pizza in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Wondering how to bake a Papa Murphy’s pizza perfectly? Here’s a friendly, step-by-step guide that will help you enjoy that delicious, cheesy goodness every time.
What Makes Papa Murphy’s Pizza Special?
Papa Murphy’s operates on a unique “Take N’ Bake” concept. They prepare your pizza fresh with scratch-made dough, hand-grated whole milk mozzarella, premium meats, and fresh vegetables. Then, instead of baking it for you, they package it so you can bake it at home. This method guarantees freshness and allows you to bake the pizza exactly when you want it, avoiding the common frustrations of delivery pizza that arrives cold or soggy.
What You’ll Need to Bake Your Papa Murphy’s Pizza
Before you get started, gather these essentials:
– Your Papa Murphy’s pizza (NY style, thin crust, stuffed, or original)
– An oven (conventional or pizza stone if you have one)
– Baking sheet or pizza stone
– Oven mitts
– Pizza cutter or sharp knife
Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Your Papa Murphy’s Pizza
1. Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to the temperature recommended on the pizza box. For most Papa Murphy’s pizzas, this is 425°F. If you have a stuffed pizza, lower the temperature to 350°F to ensure it cooks thoroughly without burning.
If you’re using a pizza stone, preheat it for at least 20 to 30 minutes after the oven reaches 425°F. This helps the stone absorb heat evenly, giving you a crispy, professional-style crust.
2. Prepare the Pizza
Remove the pizza from the refrigerator and take off all packaging. Papa Murphy’s pizzas come on a white, heat-resistant disposable tray. For best results, place the pizza with the tray directly on your baking sheet or pizza stone.
If you’re using a pizza stone, after about 6-8 minutes of baking, use a spatula to loosen the pizza from the tray. Then carefully slide the pizza off the tray onto the stone to finish baking. This step helps the crust crisp up beautifully.
3. Bake the Pizza
Place the pizza in the oven on the middle or lower rack for even cooking. Bake for 12 to 18 minutes for most pizzas, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted. For stuffed pizzas, bake longer-about 32 to 40 minutes.
Keep an eye on the pizza as baking times can vary depending on your oven. The goal is a crispy crust and fully melted cheese.
4. Check for Doneness
To make sure your pizza is perfectly cooked, use a pizza cutter or knife to make a small cut in the center. The crust should be golden and crispy, and the cheese should be gooey and melted. If it needs more time, bake in 2-minute increments until done.
5. Let It Cool and Serve
Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven using oven mitts. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the cheese set a bit, so it doesn’t slide off when you cut it.
Bonus: How to Bake a Papa Murphy’s Stuffed Pizza Spiral
If you want to try something fun with your stuffed pizza, Papa Murphy’s has a creative “Perfect Spiral” method:
– Preheat oven to 350°F.
– Remove plastic wrap and place a round biscuit cutter (3-4 inches diameter) in the center of the pizza.
– Using a sharp knife, cut strips about 1.5 inches wide around the cutter, stopping before you cut through the center.
– Remove the cutter, twist each strip 2-3 times, and press them down on the baking tray.
– Bake according to stuffed pizza instructions until golden brown.
– Let cool 5 minutes, then pull apart and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips for the Best Papa Murphy’s Pizza Experience
– Bake within 24 hours of purchase for the freshest taste.
– If refrigerated, let the pizza sit at room temperature for about 60 minutes before baking to help the crust rise properly.
– Use a pizza stone if you want a crispier crust, but remember to preheat it thoroughly.
– Thin crust pizzas do best on the middle or lower oven rack to avoid burning.
– Don’t forget to remove the plastic wrap before baking!
Papa Murphy’s take-and-bake pizzas give you the joy of fresh, hot pizza made your way. With these simple baking tips, you’ll have restaurant-quality pizza right at home-crispy, cheesy, and delicious every time.
Enjoy your pizza night!
Papa Murphy’s pizza is easy to bake, fresh, and customizable, making it a perfect choice for pizza lovers who want quality and convenience in one. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a perfect pizza fresh from your oven in no time.