Each new year introduces the culinary scene to fresh trends in the pizza industry, and 2023 is no different. At Crust & Craft Dough House, our team constantly observes which flavors are delighting pizza enthusiasts worldwide. We're excited to present this list of the top pizza toppings that have become popular this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has found its path to pizzerias, with fermented veggies emerging as a top hit for pizzas this year. Varieties such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with their intricate sour notes, providing a nice balance to the creamy cheeses and sauces. These ingredients bring more than just probiotic advantages; they're adding new textures to the classic pizza.
The Fermentation Fanfare pizza is graced with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and bleu cheese, and is delicately finished with a drizzle of local honey to soften the acidity. This unusual blend has swiftly risen to be among our highly sought-after gourmet pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-based diets continues, driving an upswing in plant-centered protein toppings on pizzas. These aren't the usual veggie toppings, as advancements in plant-based proteins are bringing forward options that are convincing even the staunchest meat enthusiasts.
We're offering Italian sausage substitutes from plants, spiced tempeh, marinated jackfruit mimicking pulled pork, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni slices. These toppings cater to not just plant-based eaters but also those looking for distinctive tastes and a less heavy meal.
3. Regional Chili Types
Those who love a spicy kick are celebrating, as pizza lovers in 2023 are showing a preference for unique regional chilies over the generic red pepper flakes. Chilies from Calabria are still favored, alongside unique varieties like Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang.
Our International Heat pizza features an array of chilies, each granting distinct flavors to various pizza slices. This fiery culinary journey has found favor amongst our patrons who enjoy spicier cuisine.
4. Seasonal Foraged Additions
The push for local, direct-from-source ingredients has expanded beyond the farm and into the woods, with the rise of foraged toppings. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, featured prominently during their growing seasons.
Aside from mushrooms, we experiment with foraged items like spring ramps, sea veggies including dulse and nori, and even the aromatic spruce tips. These unique additions offer a connection to nature and flavors not found in commercial farming.
5. Specialty Honey Varieties
The interplay of sweet and savory brought by honey has established itself as more than a fleeting fancy. Following the trend of hot honey, this year is seeing an array of specialty honeys gracing pizzas right before they're served.
We see the use of truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite, and other specialty honeys enhancing the taste profiles of pizzas and raising simple combos to a gourmet level.
Honorable Mentions
A couple of other toppings that narrowly missed making it into our top five but are still noteworthy include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza creating a rich, savory dusting
- Marinated fruits, particularly stone fruits such as cherries and apricots
- Ancient grain toppings, such as crispy spelt or popped amaranth for added crunch
- Gourmet butter additions (like cultured or mixed herb butters)
No matter if you cling to time-honored favorites or are an explorer of novel flavors, pizza remains one of the most versatile and treasured dishes around the globe. At Crust & Craft Dough House, we honor timeless recipes while also exploring the new—that's why our menu includes both the classic Margherita and innovative gourmet options.
Are any of these modern toppings on your radar? Or perhaps there's a distinctive combo you'd love for us to experiment with? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!