Every year brings fresh culinary directions in the realm of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At Crust & Flame Pizzeria, we continually track what captures pizza lovers’ palates worldwide. Here’s our roundup of the most exciting and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Interest in gut health has made its way onto pizzerias, with pickled and fermented veggies becoming a surprising favorite on pizzas this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce complex tangy notes that complement the cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and bring new texture layers to classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza showcases house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the tang. It may sound unusual, but it’s quickly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based eating continues to grow, we’ve seen a notable rise in demand for pizzas featuring inventive meat alternatives. Beyond traditional veggie toppings, innovations in plant-based proteins offer options that satisfy even dedicated meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now standard 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
Spice enthusiasts, rejoice! 2023 has seen pizza fans embrace specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chiles remain popular, but we’re also seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appearing on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each contributing its distinct flavor to different quadrants of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure especially popular with our more fearless diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza with the rising popularity of seasonal foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing during their seasons.
Beyond mushrooms, we’ve experimented with spring ramps (wild leeks), sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a unique aromatic touch. These ingredients connect diners with the natural world while offering flavors that can’t be cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has solidified itself as more than a fleeting trend. Building on the popularity of spicy honey from 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 appear on menus nationwide. These finishing touches add depth and elevate even simple pizza combinations to gourmet status.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that just missed our top five but are still making an impact 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 prefer the classics or enjoy bold, experimental pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and cherished foods. At Crust & Flame Pizzeria, we honor tradition 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 do you have a unique favorite combination you’d like us to offer? Share your thoughts in the comments or when you visit!