Each year brings fresh culinary trends to the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At Ember & Olive Pizzeria, we continually track what captured the palates of pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Here is our roundup of the most exciting and popular pizza toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The focus on gut health has found its way onto pizza menus, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce complex tangy notes that complement the richness of cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and bring new texture dimensions to traditional pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the tanginess. The combination might sound unusual, but it’s rapidly becoming one of our most in-demand specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based eating continues to rise in popularity, we’ve seen a significant uptick in demand for pizzas with inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard vegetable toppings, breakthroughs in plant-based proteins have introduced options that satisfy even committed meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regular features on our menu. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many customers choose them for their distinctive flavors and lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Heat-seekers rejoice! 2023 has seen pizza fans embrace specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies have stayed popular from previous years, 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 bringing its unique flavor profile to different quadrants of the pizza. It’s a spicy adventure that’s especially popular with 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 unique aromatic quality. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world while delivering flavors that simply can’t be cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has firmly established itself as more than just a passing trend. Building on the popularity of hot honey from recent years, 2023 has seen an explosion of specialty honey varieties being drizzled on pizzas just before serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are appearing on menus across the country. 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 a splash 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 compound herb 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 Ember & Olive 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 next time you visit!