Some pizza bases do their job quietly in the background. They exist merely to serve, shall we say. Sourdough, however, is not one of those bases.

It certainly serves, but a sourdough base has opinions. It’s crisp, chewy, slightly tangy, and fully ready to steal a bit of the spotlight. And fair enough. When the base tastes this good, it deserves a little attention.

At Papa Johns, our sourdough pizzas are made for proper flavour fans. That signature tang gives every topping a boost, which means your go-to favourites somehow taste even better, and a few bold combinations suddenly start looking very tempting. Dangerous? Maybe. Delicious? Yep.

So, if you are staring at the screen trying to decide what works best on a sourdough pizza, this is your sign to stop overthinking it. We’ve rounded up the best toppings to pair with our sourdough pizzas, from classic comfort picks to premium flavour combos that feel a little bit fancy.

If your dream pizza order leans towards the smoky, savoury, and unapologetically meaty, sourdough is a very good place to start.

Pepperoni and extra cheese

This is the James Bond combo – it’s classic, it’s cheesy, and it just knows how good it is. Pepperoni brings that rich, slightly spicy kick, while extra cheese smooths everything out in the best possible way. Add that to a tangy sourdough base and suddenly your usual favourite has a bit more personality.

Chicken with bold sauces

If you like your pizza with a bit more punch, this is where things get interesting. Because chicken’s not an overly strong flavour, on a sourdough base it works especially well with stronger, smokier, or spicier sauces, with the crust keeping the flavours feeling rounded.

Sausage and onions

This combo is seriously underrated. Sausage throws in rich, herby flavour, and onions add a little sweetness once they cook down. You can get these and more on our “The Works” pizza. On a sourdough base, the whole thing feels balanced, hearty, and surprisingly comforting.

Chicken and bacon

Chicken and bacon is one of those combinations that never needs to shout, because it already knows it works. Chicken keeps things satisfying, bacon adds a smoky, salty edge, and sourdough pulls it all together with just enough tang to stop it feeling too heavy. It’s the sort of topping combo that may feel like a “safe choice” – but is never a regrettable choice.

Now for the veg lovers, and for anyone who occasionally likes to pretend they are making a balanced decision while ordering pizza.

Mushrooms and peppers

Some topping combinations are all about balance, and this one absolutely knows what it is doing. Mushrooms and peppers are a brilliant match on sourdough, with the earthy richness of the mushrooms playing off the sweet, slightly roasted flavour of the peppers in every bite.

The sourdough base gives the whole thing a little extra depth, so it tastes satisfying without feeling too heavy. It’s full of flavour and just smug enough to make you think: “Yes, this was an excellent decision.”

This combination is definitely not a subtle one – but it’s proud. It’s rich, indulgent, and fully committed to being a treat. The smoky, savoury flavour of the meat works brilliantly with all that cheese.

It is the kind of pizza that feels like a reward for getting through the week, even if the week was only three days long and mostly emails.

Find your perfect sourdough pizza at your local Papa Johns

One of the best things about sourdough pizzas is how flexible they are. You can keep things classic, go all in on veggie toppings, or build something a bit more indulgent depending on what you are in the mood for.

At your local Papa Johns, our sourdough pizzas are made to bring out the best in every topping. So next time you are deciding what to order, start with the base and let the rest follow. Because when the crust is this good, the hard part is finding a topping that doesn’t work. Browse our menu here.