Every year introduces fresh culinary twists in the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At Crust & Ember Pizzeria, we track what captures pizza lovers’ palates worldwide. Here’s our roundup of the most exciting and popular pizza toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The focus on gut health has reached pizzerias, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions add layered tangy notes that pair well with cheese and sauce. These tangy toppings offer probiotic benefits and introduce new textural contrasts to classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the tang. The combination may seem unconventional, yet it’s quickly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
With plant-based eating continuing to rise in popularity, we’ve seen a notable uptick in pizzas featuring inventive meat alternatives. Beyond traditional veggie toppings, breakthroughs in plant-based proteins offer options that satisfy even devoted meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regular options on our menu. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many guests choose them for their unique flavors and lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Heat-seekers rejoice! 2023 has seen pizza enthusiasts embrace specific regional chili varieties over generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular from previous years, but we’re now seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appear on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each contributing its unique flavor profile to distinct portions of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure that’s especially popular with adventurous diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza with rising interest in seasonal foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing throughout their seasons.
Beyond mushrooms, we’ve experimented with spring ramps (wild leeks), sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinct aromatic quality. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world while delivering flavors that can’t be cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory balance created by honey has solidified itself as more than a passing trend. Building on the popularity of hot honey in recent years, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties drizzled on pizzas just before serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are appearing on menus nationwide. These finishing touches add depth and elevate even simple pizza combinations to a gourmet level.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that narrowly missed our top five but are still making waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, microplaned over pizza like a golden snowfall
- Pickled fruits, especially stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Heritage grain toppings, like crispy farro or popped sorghum for texture
- Artisanal butter dollops (particularly cultured or herb-infused butters)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves the classics or an adventurous eater eager to try bold new pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At Crust & Ember Pizzeria, we honor tradition while embracing innovation—that’s why you’ll find both classic Margherita and cutting-edge specialty pies on our menu.
Have you tried any of these trending toppings? Or is there a distinctive favorite combination you’d like us to offer? Share your thoughts in the comments or next time you visit!