With each passing year, we see fresh trends in the pizza industry, and 2023 is no exception. At Dough Maestro's Pizzeria, we keep a close eye on the toppings that are delighting pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Here is our list of the top pizza toppings that are currently trending.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Attention to gut health has crossed over to the pizza scene with a rise in fermented vegetables as a favorite topping this year. Offerings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are serving up a zesty taste that pairs well with the creamy cheese and sauce. They not only come with the advantage of probiotics, but they also add a new textural element to classic pizza.
Our Fermentation Fête pizza includes our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and a type of blue cheese, with a touch of regional honey to soften the sharpness. While it may seem like an unexpected pair, it has rapidly become one of our most sought-after signature dishes.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has translated into an increase in requests for pizzas adorned with inventive non-meat options. Beyond ordinary veggie toppings, breakthroughs in plant-based proteins now offer satisfying alternatives even for fervent carnivores.
Vegetarian substitutes for traditional Italian sausage, spiced tempeh, tropical fruit-based pulled pork, and protein made from peas resembling pepperoni have found their place on our menu. These choices are attracting not only vegetarians but also customers who prefer their distinctive taste and digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who crave spicy flavors are celebrating as pizza lovers are now favoring specific chili varieties over generic red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue their popularity streak, we're also seeing an uptick in Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and piquant Korean gochujang appearing on pizzas.
Our Worldwide Hotspot pizza combines a selection of four distinct chilies from various regions, each adding a unique flavor to separate slices of the pie. It's an international fiery journey that has won over the hearts of our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The concept of sourcing directly from nature has grown, now encompassing wild ingredients that are making their way onto pizza. Leading this trend are wild-picked mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, appearing during their native picking seasons.
Away from mushrooms, we’re experimenting with wild ramps, oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and even the fragrant tips of spruce trees to introduce an unusual aromatic flair. These elements forge a connection with nature while providing tastes that cultivated ingredients simply can’t match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The play on sweet and savory made possible by honey has gained a solid foothold, with this year seeing new specialty honey varieties being drizzled on pizzas right before serving.
Gourmet variations like truffle-flavored honey, fermented garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and even honey infused with CBD are being served up across the nation. These drizzles add sophistication and can transform basic pizza into a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
Some other noteworthy toppings that are just on the cusp of our top list yet are drawing attention include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a rich finish
- Pickled fruit varieties, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Ancient grain toppings, such as crunchy farro or puffed sorghum for added texture
- Specialty butter spots, especially those with cultured butter or a mixture of herbs
Whether you adhere to the classic tastes or are open to innovative new ingredient marriages, pizza remains one of the most versatile and universally loved dishes. At Dough Maestro's Pizzeria, we respect the time-honored classics while also exploring the new—that’s how our menu caters to lovers of both the quintessential Margherita and the avant-garde specialties.
Have these trendy toppings piqued your interest? Or perhaps you have an original topping idea you’d like to see us adopt? Share with us in the comments or on your next visit to our venue!