Each year brings new culinary ideas to the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At OliveHerbMarket, we keep a close watch on what captures pizza lovers’ palates worldwide. Here’s our roundup of the most exciting and popular pizza toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Attention to gut health has reached pizzerias, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite on pies 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 introduce 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 quickly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
With plant-based eating continuing to grow in popularity, we’ve seen a notable rise in demand for pizzas with creative meat alternatives. Beyond traditional toppings, innovations in plant-based proteins offer options that satisfy even dedicated meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regulars on our menu. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many guests choose them for their distinctive flavors and lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Heat-seekers rejoice! 2023 saw pizza enthusiasts 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 showing up 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 pie. It’s a spicy adventure that’s proved especially popular with our more adventurous diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza, with rising demand for 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 distinct aromatic note. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world while delivering flavors that can’t be cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Finishes
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has established itself as more than a passing fad. Building on the popularity of hot honey from recent years, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties drizzled on pizzas just before serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are appearing on menus nationwide. 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 herb-butters)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves the classics or a bold eater open to new pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At OliveHerbMarket, 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? Share your thoughts in the comments or next time you visit!