Each year brings fresh culinary movements to the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At PlainSideCommons, we continually track what captivates pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Here is our roundup of the most exciting and popular pizza toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Attention to gut health has entered pizzerias, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce complex tangy notes that complement Cheddar and sauce. These tangy toppings offer probiotic benefits and add new textural dimensions to classic 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 requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
With plant-based eating continuing to rise in popularity, we've seen a notable uptick in pizzas featuring inventive meat substitutes. Beyond the standard vegetable toppings, innovations in plant-based proteins have introduced options that satisfy even die-hard 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 of our customers choose them for their distinctive flavors and lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice seekers rejoice! 2023 has seen pizza fans embrace specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies have stayed popular from earlier years, but we’re now seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang making appearances on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each delivering its unique flavor profile to different sections of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure that’s particularly popular with 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 appearing throughout their seasons.
Beyond mushrooms, we’ve experimented with spring ramps (wild leeks), sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinctive aromatic note. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world while delivering flavors that can’t be cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has established itself as more than a fleeting trend. 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 just 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, like crispy farro or popped sorghum for texture
- Artisanal butter dollops (particularly cultured or herb-enhanced)
Whether you lean toward the classics or prefer bold, experimental pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At PlainSideCommons, 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!