While Papa John’s has no dairy-free cheese (yet … crosses fingers), we are still big fans of their vegan options–mostly because of their dough and the special garlic sauce. Maybe it’s nostalgia but we appreciate Papa John’s dough being simultaneously fluffy and crusty with the perfect touch of salt. It complements a pizza with their original sauce and a pile of veggies.

But our favorite is always dipping that crust or a breadstick into their special garlic sauce. And thankfully, the garlic sauce comes with every pizza ordered. Yum!

Vegan Options at Papa John’s

Papa John’s Disclaimer:

Papa Johns or its franchisees assume no responsibilities for our customers with food allergies. With most of our menu made fresh to order, we cannot guarantee that our products are completely free from common allergens because of the possibility of cross-contact within the kitchen.

You choose your level of comfort.

Pizza, Breadsticks + a tip

Create Your Own. Pick Original or Thin Crust. Advise NO Cheese. Choose Garlic, BBQ or Original Sauce. Pick your Toppings from list below.
Garden Fresh Pizza. Customize. Pick Original or Thin Crust Advise NO cheese. Keep Veggies as is or choose different ones from the Toppings List below. You get 5 toppings included with this pizza.
Breadsticks with Garlic, Pizza, BBQ or Buffalo Dipping Sauce.
Look for the Pizza Specials that have 4 or more toppings. These are always the best deal!

Create Your Own!

Pick your crust.
Choose your sauce.
Order with NO cheese.
Pick your toppings.

Pizza Dough

Original Hand Tossed Dough
Thin Crust

Pizza Sauce

Pizza Sauce
BBQ Sauce

Toppings

Mushrooms
Pineapple
Onions
Green Bell Peppers
Black Olives
Green Olives
Sliced Jalapenos
Banana Peppers
Tomatoes
Fresh Spinach

Dipping Sauce

psa: the spicy garlic is reeeally spicy according to a guy who likes his food spicy.

Special Garlic Sauce
Spicy Garlic Sauce
Original Pizza Sauce
BBQ Sauce
Buffalo Spicy Sauce

Extras

Special Seasoning packet
Crushed Red Pepper packet
Pepperoncinis
Banana Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers

Papa John’s Vegan FAQ

What are the ingredients in Papa John’s vegan-friendly crusts?

According to Papa John’s ingredient info, the Original Crust contains:

Unbleached enriched wheat flour, water, sugar, soybean oil, salt, yeast.

The Thin Crust contains:

Wheat Flour, Water, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or less of the following: Yeast, Salt, Preservative (Cultured Wheat Starch, Citric Acid), White Distilled Vinegar, Natural Flavors, Dextrose, Soy Lecithin

Is Papa John’s Gluten-Free Crust vegan?

No. According to Papa John’s ingredient info, the gluten-free crust contains:

Water, Sorghum Flour, Modified Rice Starch, Tapioca Starch, Teff Flour, Cage Free Egg Whites, Whey Powder, Shortening Flakes (Palm Oil, Natural Butter Flavor, Soy Lecithin), Quinoa Flour, Amaranth Flour, Canola/Olive Oil Blend, Yeast, Sugar, Brown Flax Seed, Salt, Cultured Brown Rice, Xanthan Gum, Natural Flavors.

As you can see, their gluten-free crust contains dairy (whey) and egg, making it NOT vegan-friendly.

What are the ingredient’s in Papa John’s vegan-friendly pizza sauces?

According to Papa John’s ingredient info, their Original/Pizza Sauce contains:

Fresh vine-ripened tomatoes (our tomatoes are freshly packed from vine to can in the same day), sunflower oil, sugar, salt, garlic, spices, extra virgin olive oil, citric acid (maintains freshness).

And the BBQ Sauce contains:

Water, sugar, brown sugar, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, food starch-modified (used to thicken sauces), chili pepper, cumin, chipotle pepper, oregano, chili pepper, mustard flour, garlic, spices.

Is the Pan Crust vegan-friendly?

No! We have reached out to Papa John’s to let them know their allergen guide currently does not reflect the correct allergen information when it comes to the Pan Crust. The Pan Crust comes with parmesan cheese under its crust. Their current allergen guide states that it

* May be produced/stored in a facility that utilizes that allergen.

Meaning dairy.
Not that the whole bottom of the crust is covered in it.

Hopefully by the time you read this question, it has been fixed by them.

July 2026

Vegan Options at Papa John’s (Updated 2026)