With each year, the pizza sphere is graced with new and exciting culinary trends, and the year 2023 is no different. At PepperOnionJam, we keep a keen eye on the global pizza aficionado’s evolving tastes. Here's a compilation of the top five pizza toppings that are creating a buzz this year.
1. Pickled Vegetables
As digestive health gains focus in gastronomy, pickled vegetables have become an unexpected favorite on pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions offer a tartness that nicely balances the cheese and sauce’s creaminess. These toppings aren’t just bursting with probiotics but add intriguing new textures to the time-honored pizza.
Our Probiotic Fiesta pizza is topped with our in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and a bold gorgonzola cheese, all brought together with a sweet drizzle of local honey. It might sound out of the ordinary, but it's fast becoming one of the most sought-after specialty pizzas we offer.
2. Plant-Based Meats
As more people gravitate towards plant-based diets, the push for meatless pizza toppings accelerates. Moving beyond just vegetables, advancements in plant proteins provide meat-alternative toppings that are winning over even hardcore carnivores.
We’re serving up toppings such as plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit “pulled pork,” and pea protein “pepperoni.” These ingredients appeal not solely to vegetarians, but to many patrons for their distinct tastes and gentler impact on digestion.
3. Specialty Chilies by Region
For those who like a bit of heat, there's good news as 2023 has seen pizza lovers zero in on specific regional chili peppers over generic pepper flakes. The popularity of Calabrian chilies persists, with the additions of Aleppo pepper, smoked Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang also gaining traction.
The International Spice Route pizza we offer combines a mix of these regional chilies, assigning each its own section of the pizza for a distinct spicy experience. It's particularly well-liked by our patrons who enjoy culinary exploration.
4. Wild Foraged Toppings
What began as the farm-to-table trend has expanded into forest-to-table, with wild foraged ingredients gaining momentum as pizza toppings. Wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods feature prominently when they're in season.
We're also experimenting with wild-foraged ingredients like spring ramps, oceanic greens including dulse and nori, and even spruce tips that introduce a distinguished aroma. These ingredients forge a connection with nature and offer flavors that cultivated plants cannot match.
5. Array of Honey Drizzles
The delight of honey on pizza has experienced a surge of interest, transcending a fleeting trend. Specialty varieties of honey drizzled on pizzas have become increasingly popular in 2023, following the hot honey trend of past years.
We see a variety of honey such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, and mesquite honey emerging on the scene, each adding a depth of flavor that can turn a basic pizza into a deluxe experience.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings nearly making our top five but still noteworthy include:
- Salted egg yolks, finely grated and sprinkled over the pizza for a rich flavor boost
- Pickled fruits, especially with summer stone fruits like peaches and cherries
- Ancient grains, adding crunch with popped or toasted varieties such as farro or sorghum
- Gourmet butters, including varieties that are cultured or mixed with herbs
Regardless of whether you adhere to time-honored toppings or seek out the thrill of new flavor combinations, pizza remains one of the most versatile and universally adored dishes. At PepperOnionJam, we respect tradition while simultaneously fostering innovation. This philosophy means you'll find both the classic Margherita and innovative specialty pizzas on our menu.
Are there any of these trending toppings you've already enjoyed? Or perhaps you have an original topping combination in mind that you'd want us to feature? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!