Each year brings fresh culinary trends to the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At Crust & Ember Pizzeria, we're consistently tracking what captivates pizza enthusiasts around the globe. Here’s our rundown of the most exciting and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The focus on gut health has reached pizzerias, with pickled and fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce complex tangy notes that balance the richness of cheese and sauce. These toppings not only offer probiotic benefits but also add intriguing new textures to classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, finished with a drizzle of local honey to offset the tang. The combination may seem unconventional, but it’s quickly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
With plant-based eating continuing to grow, we’ve seen a notable uptick in pizzas featuring inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard veggies, 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 regular menu items. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many customers choose them for their unique flavors and lighter digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice seekers rejoice! 2023 has seen pizza fans embrace specific regional chilies rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular, but we’re now seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang showing up on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each bringing its distinct flavor to different quadrants of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure that's especially popular with our more daring 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 throughout their respective 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 quality. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world while delivering flavors that can’t be produced commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has firmly established itself as more than a passing fad. Building on the popularity of hot 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 narrowly 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, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum for texture
- Artisanal butter dollops (particularly cultured or herb-compound butters)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who favors the classics or an adventurous eater willing to try bold new combinations, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At Crust & Ember Pizzeria, we honor tradition while embracing innovation—that’s why you’ll find both classic 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 to see us offer? Let us know in the comments or on your next visit!