As each year passes, pizza undergoes transformative gourmet trends, and 2023 has brought its own flavors to the forefront. Here at Crust & Crumble Pizzeria, our pulse on global pizza trends is strong, and this is our curated list of the top innovative and crowd-pleasing pizza toppings of the year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has found a new home atop pizzas, with fermented veggies emerging as a surprise sensation. Tangy flavors of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are combining beautifully with traditional cheese and tomato sauce to create a complex, gut-friendly dining experience with new textural layers.
Fermentation Celebration is our newest culinary creation with a delectable blend of in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, with a sweet counterbalance courtesy of local honey. This unconventional mix is fast becoming a fan-favorite specialty pie.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more diners adopt plant-based diets, the call for innovative meat substitutes on pizzas has skyrocketed. Beyond the typical veggie options, modern plant-derived proteins like crumbled Italian sausage replicas, marinated tempeh, jackfruit presented as pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have become menu staples. These toppings attract meat-eaters and vegetarians alike for their distinct tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spiсe enthusiasts are diving into unique regional chili varieties in place of standard red pepper flakes. In 2023, the spicy landscape includes Calabrian chilies, Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang peppers frequently topping pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza is a spicy journey with four distinct regional chilies adding their unique spice profiles across the pie, a favorite among our bold-flavor-loving customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Forest-to-pizza is taking off, thanks to the inclusion of seasonal foraged goods like various wild mushrooms - chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods - grunt their presence in their peak season.
Additionally, we're employing spring ramps, seaweeds such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a notably aromatic touch. These naturally sourced toppings beckon a connection to the wilderness and offer incomparable flavors.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's ability to create the perfect harmony of sweet and savory notes on pizza has secured its place as more than a fleeting craze. Varied specialty honeys, like truffle, fermented garlic, mesquite, and even CBD-infused honeys, are being drizzled on pizzas, imparting a gourmet finish.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings which nearly made it to our favorites but are still creating a stir include:
- Grated cured egg yolks dusting pizzas like golden flurry
- Pickled stone fruits, notably peaches and plums
- Heritage grains, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum, for added texture
- Spots of artisanal butter, such as cultured or flavored with herbs
Pizza, a timeless favorite, continues to be versatile and beloved. Whether classic styles are your choice or you're open to novel flavors, Crust & Crumble Pizzeria celebrates the legacy of pizza while integrating new, bold tastes—in our menu, you'll find both classic and innovative pies.
Have any of these trendy toppings made it to your plate? Or maybe you have a distinct combination you'd like to see on our menu? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!