Every year brings fresh culinary movements to the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At Crust & Basil Pizzeria, we continuously track what’s captivating pizza enthusiasts around the globe. Here’s our rundown of the most exciting and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on gut health has found its way onto pizzerias, with fermented veggies becoming a surprising favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions contribute complex tangy notes that pair beautifully with cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and introduce novel texture dimensions 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. The combination may sound unusual, but it’s rapidly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based dining continues to rise in popularity, we’ve seen a notable uptick in pizzas featuring inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard veggie toppings, advances in plant-based proteins offer options that appeal to even the most devoted meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regular menu fixtures. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many guests choose them for their distinctive flavors and lighter digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Fans of heat, rejoice! 2023 saw pizza lovers embrace specific regional chili varieties 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 appearing on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each contributing its unique flavor to different sections of the pizza. It’s a spicy adventure that’s especially loved by our more adventurous diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza with the growing popularity of seasonal foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods showing up in season.
Beyond mushrooms, we’ve experimented with spring ramps (wild leeks), sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinctive aromatic quality. These ingredients connect diners to nature while delivering flavors that can’t be grown 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 in 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 are appearing 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 waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, microplaned over pizza like 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-infused)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who leans toward the classics or an adventurous eater seeking bold new pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most versatile and cherished foods. At Crust & Basil Pizzeria, we honor history while embracing innovation—that’s why our menu features both classic Margherita and cutting-edge specialty pies.
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 the next time you visit!