The pizza scene is constantly enhanced by emerging tastes and trends, and 2023 has welcomed a host of new favorites. Our brand Crust & Craft Pizzeria keeps a close watch on crust-and-cheese innovations that are garnering attention worldwide. Below is a list of this year's sensational pizza toppings stirring up excitement.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has found a place on pizza menus, with fermented veggies stealing the spotlight. Toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce an intriguing tartness that pairs beautifully with the creamy cheese and savory sauce. Not only are these toppings rich in probiotics, but they also add new textural layers to the classic pizza base.
The Fermentation Celebration pizza at our restaurant showcases homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, with a touch of local honey rounding out the flavors. This combination may seem atypical, yet it's rapidly becoming a highly sought-after choice.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-based diets has sparked an increased popularity for pizzas adorned with inventive meat-free options. Beyond the conventional veggie garnishes, advancements in alternative proteins present choices that even ardent carnivores appreciate.
Items like plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit treated as pulled pork, and pea protein styled as pepperoni now regularly adorn our pizzas. These alternatives are embraced not only by vegetarians but also by customers looking for distinct tastes and a lighter meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those craving a spicy kick are engaging with unique regional chili peppers instead of generic red flakes. Calabrian chilies carry on their streak of popularity, while others like the smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and spicy Korean gochujang are earning their place on pizza toppings.
Our Global Heat pizza presents an assortment of four distinct chilies, each contributing its own special taste to the pizza slices. This fiery offering appeals especially to those who favor culinary exploration.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Seasonal foraged elements are gaining traction, transitioning from forest-to-pizza as an extension of the farm-to-table trend. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, popping up in menus based on their harvest times.
We've also ventured into ingredients like wild ramps, sea-based greens such as dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These offerings forge a connection with nature while delivering unmatched flavors that can't be replicated through cultivation.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The harmony between sweet and savory created by honey has become a well-established technique. Expanding from the past fame of hot honey, this year has revealed an array of specialty honey drizzles finding their way onto pizzas just before serving.
Exotic varieties like truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and CBD-enhanced honey are being spotted on menus nationwide. Such final drizzles lend pizzas a gourmet feel and extra flair that completely transform even the simplest of recipes.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings narrowly missing our top five but still making an impact include:
- Cured egg yolks, grated onto pizzas like a dusting of gold
- Pickled fruits, with a focus on stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Grains with a heritage twist, adding crunch with crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Dollops of specialty butter, particularly those that are cultured or infused with herbs
Whether you hold onto traditional flavors or seek out new taste adventures, pizza maintains its status as an incredibly versatile and universally adored dish. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we pay homage to time-honored methods while championing culinary creativity—our menus are a testament to that, featuring both the classic Margherita and avant-garde specialty offerings.
Have any of these trendy toppings caught your interest? Or do you have a distinctive topping combo you'd wish for us to introduce? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!