Cornflake Pepperoni PizzaPapa John’s latest limited edition is a bold step into the culinary landscape, defying nutritional logic for a full month. This latest offering is part of a trend embracing unusual combinations and adventurous flavors.
From a brainstorming session titled “What should we bring them this summer?” emerged the Crunch series. While we'll delve into its details later, the key takeaway can be summed up in two simple words: Pizza. Cornflakes. Intriguing, right?
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The series features five new items seamlessly integrated into the menu of this well-regarded chain: a vegetarian pizza, a meat pizza, a kosher pizza, a dessert, and a side dish that can be considered an appetizer—all topped with familiar cornflake bits.
At first glance, this gimmick might seem a bit tiresome, almost exhausting. It appears like a half-baked idea, raising cynical impulses about the concept versus execution. Most importantly, it begs the question: have we not already reached a creative peak in the realm of pizza toppings?
This profound question leans on countless similar limited editions from recent years, alongside numerous leading food figures trying to solve the circle-square dilemma. In light of our obsession with Neapolitan-style pizzas and wood-fired ovens, we seem to have returned to the basics, collectively agreeing that the foundation is everything—once again, quite literally. Dough, of course, but also sauce and worthwhile toppings that don’t necessarily require excess.
Yet, amidst all this skepticism, something about Papa John's madness manages to work. Perhaps it's the summer vibe, and I can’t be blamed for being overly adventurous, but it turns out that pizza with cornflakes is a hit.
Menu HighlightsThe menu includes the Crunchy Cheese Pizza (featuring ranch sauce, fresh mushrooms, mozzarella, cornflakes, and honey drizzle for NIS 89.90), which is excellent as it stands, benefiting from the cornflakes that add crunch without being bland. It breaks the routine with its flavor. And the honey? Initially an odd concept, it surprisingly enhances the dish with its subtle sweetness.
Also available is the Crunchy Vegan Pepperoni Pizza (made with garlic sauce, vegan pepperoni slices, mozzarella, cornflakes, and honey drizzle, priced the same), along with a classic pepperoni version (with ranch sauce), which is fantastic on its own but even better here. And we can’t forget the timeless garlic dip, of course—just garlic with a touch of butter and Parmesan. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves.
Is the cornflake fried? Does it go directly into the oven with the pizza? The latter option seems unlikely to keep it crunchy, while the former appears too complicated. For now, let’s embrace the mystery; it holds up well during delivery and remains crispy even after reheating in the oven the next day. The rest is less crucial to know.
The Crunchy Pesto dish is a perfect munch option for those who still remember the traditional structure of meals, consisting of four savory croissants filled with mozzarella and pesto, baked to perfection, and drenched in garlic sauce along with those cornflakes (NIS 34.90).
Here, the term croissant refers more to shape than dough, which is great because it’s made from Papa John's pizza dough, proving that there are endless possibilities with it across various formats.
This feast concludes with the Crunchy Delice (at the same price), a sweet version of those croissants, baked with Kinder Delice cake inside, spread with a delicious cream and topped with an additional sprinkle of cornflakes.
What can we say? It’s a refined dessert rich in nuances that instantly transports us to that elegant French patisserie from that genius on Netflix. This isn’t the right binge, friends, but it’s certainly a binge that leaves you with nothing left to look forward to—no cornflake crumb left behind.
You have to be in a certain mood and state of mind to approach the cornflake pizza trap from Papa John’s. However, this mood is not unusual, nor is the state of mind dramatic. All you need is a bit of warmth, a cooling breeze from the AC, and a reluctance to leave the couch, especially for dinner. In other words, pretty much every day right now.
So, when the order almost places itself, trays of soft pizza and crispy cornflakes land magically on your dining table, waiting to be opened. Initially, you might say something like "WTF," but that feeling will pass. In the end, you'll simply have to be one of those people who admit their mistake and say, “Wow, this is okay. It’s summer, after all; it’s allowed.”
Papa John’s Crunch Pizza is available now for a month!