Every year brings fresh culinary trends to the realm of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we continually track what’s captivating pizza lovers around the world. Here’s our rundown of the most exciting and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on gut wellness has reached pizzerias, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce intricate tangy notes that complement cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and add new textural elements to classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza showcases house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a touch of local honey to balance the tang. The combination may seem unusual, but it’s quickly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
With plant-based dining continuing to rise in popularity, we’ve seen a strong uptick in pizzas featuring creative meat alternatives. Beyond traditional veggie toppings, advances 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 regulars on our menu. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many guests choose them for their distinctive flavors and lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Heat seekers rejoice! 2023 has seen pizza fans embrace specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular from prior years, but we’re also seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appearing on pies.
Our Global Heat pizza features a blend of four different regional chilies, each bringing its own flavor to different sections of the pizza. It’s a fiery adventure especially loved by our more daring diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza, with seasonal foraged ingredients gaining traction. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods showing up according to their seasons.
Beyond mushrooms, we’ve experimented with spring ramps (wild leeks), sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinctive aromatic touch. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world while delivering flavors that can’t be grown commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast from honey has solidified itself as more than a fleeting trend. Building on the popularity of hot honey in recent years, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties being drizzled on pizzas just before serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey appear on menus nationwide. These finishing touches add depth and elevate even simple pizza combos to gourmet status.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that narrowly missed the top five but are still making waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza like a golden snowfall
- Pickled fruits, especially stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Heritage grain toppings, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum for texture
- Artisanal butter dollops (notably cultured or herb-infused)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves the classics or a curious eater ready for bold new pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we honor heritage while embracing innovation—that’s why you’ll find both timeless Margherita and cutting-edge specialty pies on our menu.
Have you tried any of these trending toppings? Or is there a unique combination you’d like to see us offer? Tell us in the comments or next time you visit!