Each year introduces fresh culinary movements to the realm of pizza, and 2023 proved no exception. At Ember & Crust Pizzeria, we continually track what captures the palates of pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Here’s our roundup of the most exciting and popular pizza toppings turning heads this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The focus on gut wellness has reached pizzerias, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising hit on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions deliver intricate tangy notes that pair beautifully with cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and introduce new textural dimensions to classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the tanginess. The combination may seem unconventional, yet it’s swiftly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
With plant-based eating continuing to rise in popularity, we’ve seen a noticeable uptick in pizzas showcasing inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard vegetables, innovations in plant-based proteins offer options that satisfy even the most devoted meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni regularly appear on our menu. These proteins aren’t only for vegetarians—many customers choose them for their distinctive flavors and lighter digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice lovers rejoice! 2023 saw pizza fans embracing specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remained popular from prior years, but Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now making appearances on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each contributing its unique flavor to different zones of the pizza. It’s a fiery adventure that's especially popular among our more adventurous 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 distinct aromatic quality. These ingredients connect diners to nature while delivering 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 passing fad. Building on the popularity of hot honey from recent years, 2023 has seen an explosion 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 pairings 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 compound herb butters)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who favors the classics or an adventurous eater eager to explore bold new combinations, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At Ember & Crust Pizzeria, we honor tradition while embracing innovation—that’s why you’ll find both classic Margherita and innovative 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? Let us know in the comments or the next time you visit!