Each year ushers in new pizza topping fads, and 2023 isn't an outlier. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, keeping an eye on global pizza topping favorites is our forte. Below, we've listed this year's top choices that are making a buzz.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health gains focus, pickled veggies are finding their way onto pizzas, offering a surprising, popular addition. Tangy kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending their zesty flavors, enhancing the creamy cheeses and savory sauces. These toppings are not only packed with probiotics but also add a novel texture to the pizza experience.
Try our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, topped with our in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, and a touch of local honey to counter the sour taste. This unconventional blend is swiftly becoming a top pick among our specialty offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has resulted in a growing preference for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Beyond typical veggie options, new plant-based proteins have been introduced that even the staunchest carnivores find satisfying.
Expect to see toppings like plant-based sausage, spiced tempeh, marinated jackfruit, and pea protein pepperoni. These toppings attract not only vegetarians but also those who enjoy their distinct tastes and lighter feel after eating.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who favor spiciness are welcoming a shift to specific chili types over generic hot pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to hold their ground from past years, chilies like the aromatic Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñoras, zesty Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are gaining popularity in pizza toppings.
Our Global Spice pizza brings together an assortment of chilies, each gracing a quadrant of the pizza with its distinct taste. This creation is a hit, particularly among our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The connection from nature to pizza plate is growing with the acceptance of foraged seasonal ingredients. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, appearing on pizzas in their seasonal prime.
Other foraged delights include wild leeks, known as ramps, sea veggies such as dulse and nori, and even pine tips, adding a unique flavor that cultivated produce can't match. These wild ingredients offer diners a taste of the untouched wilderness.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey on pizza, mixing sweet with savory, has become an enduring favorite. Expanding on the beloved spicy honey trend, 2023 introduces a broad range of specialty honey types that are drizzled on pizza right before serving.
You'll find truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-enriched honey on menus nationwide. Adding such drizzles enhances pizzas with a gourmet touch.
Honorable Mentions
Also noteworthy, though not making the top list, are toppings like:
- Cured egg yolks, grated over pizzas for a savory dusting
- Pickled stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grains for a crunchy texture, including puffed farro or sorghum
- Scoops of artisanal butters, whether they're cultured or infused with herbs
Whether you lean towards classic tastes or are open to the latest food trends, pizza remains one of the most versatile and universally loved foods. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we honor classics while welcoming innovation, which is why our menu features the old-school Margherita alongside trailblazing gourmet creations.
Got a chance to try these trending toppings, or have your own unique flavor you'd like to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or talk to us on your next visit!