Each year brings fresh culinary directions to the pizza world, and 2023 is no exception. At ParterRecommunity, we continuously track what captures pizza lovers’ palates worldwide. Here’s our roundup of the most exciting and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Efforts to boost gut health have found a home on pizza, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring tangy complexity that complements the richness of cheese and sauce. These toppings offer probiotic benefits and introduce novel texture to traditional pies.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the tang. The combination might sound unusual, but it’s quickly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based eating grows in popularity, we’ve seen a notable rise in pizzas with inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard veggie toppings, innovations in plant-based proteins provide options that satisfy even dedicated meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regular menu features. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many guests choose them for distinct flavors and a lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice enthusiasts are in for a treat! In 2023, pizza fans have embraced specific regional chilies rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular, but we’re also seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appear on pies.
Our Global Heat pizza showcases a medley of four regional chilies, each contributing a unique flavor to different zones of the pizza. It’s a spicy adventure that has been especially enjoyed by the more daring diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza with rising interest in seasonal foraged items. 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 offering flavors that can’t be cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast of honey has established itself as more than a fleeting trend. Building on hot honey’s popularity, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honeys 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 narrowly missed the top five but are still making waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, grated over pizza like a golden snowfall
- Pickled fruits, especially stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Heritage grain toppings, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum for texture
- Artisanal butter dollops (particularly cultured or herb-infused)
Whether you’re a purist who loves the classics or an adventurous eater eager to try bold new blends, pizza remains one of the globe’s most versatile and cherished foods. At ParterRecommunity, 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 is there a unique favorite combination you’d like to see us offer? Let us know in the comments or next time you visit!