Each new year introduces fresh trends in the pizza industry, and 2023 is no different. At Dough Maestro's Pizzeria, we keep a close watch on what’s delighting the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. We’re excited to share our selection of this year’s top pizza toppings that are getting attention.
1. Pickled Vegetables
Embracing gut health has entered pizza cuisine, with a variety of pickled vegetables gaining popularity as pizza toppings. Offerings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are imparting a distinctively tangy taste that wonderfully complements the traditional cheese and tomato base. Besides their health benefits, these toppings are introducing an array of new textures to the classic pizza.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza includes our signature sauerkraut, homemade kimchi, and blue cheese, topped with a splash of local honey to balance out the acidity. While surprising to some, this pizza has quickly become a top choice among our specialty offerings.
2. Alternative Plant Proteins
The shift towards plant-based diets isn’t slowing down, leading to an increased demand for pizzas featuring innovative meat substitutes. We’re now seeing more than just your regular veggie toppings—new plant-based protein creations are also appealing to ardent carnivores.
Items like our plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit in place of pulled pork, and pea protein formed into pepperoni are gaining prominence on our menu. These plant proteins aren’t limited to those following vegetarian diets; many guests select them for their compelling tastes and their ease on digestion.
3. Distinct Chili Peppers from Various Regions
Fans of fiery flavors are celebrating the rise of distinct chili peppers from across the globe, moving beyond the common red pepper flakes on pizzas. While Calabrian chilies remain a favorite, we're also incorporating spices like Aleppo peppers, the smoky Spanish ñora, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang.
Our International Fire pizza showcases these chilies, each adding a different taste profile to separate sections of the pizza, providing an adventurous experience for those seeking something different.
4. Wild Seasonal Ingredients
The locavore movement has expanded to include the foraging of seasonal items for unique pizza toppings. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake mushrooms, all making timely appearances throughout their growing seasons.
Additionally, we're experimenting with ingredients like wild leeks called ramps, sea greens such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their aromatic properties. These foraged foods offer a connection to the wilderness and flavors unattainable by commercial means.
5. Unique Honey Infusions
Honey's sweet and savory interplay has entrenched itself as a mainstay topping. Building on the prior trend of spicy honey, 2023 is highlighting the use of exotic honey types drizzled over pizzas just before they’re served.
Options including truffle-infused honey, honey fermented with garlic, a smoky mesquite honey, and honey with infused CBD have become popular for their ability to deepen and elevate even the simplest pizza combinations into something special.
Honorable Mentions
Other noteworthy toppings that are on the rise but didn’t make our top list include:
- Salted egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a rich umami experience
- Pickled stone fruits such as peaches and cherries bringing a tart sweetness
- Grains with a heritage, like crispy spelt or popped sorghum for added crunch
- Tiny dollops of handcrafted butter varieties, notably cultured or herbed
Whether your preference lies with authentic traditional pies or you're into sampling novel flavor combinations, pizza remains one of the most versatile and well-loved dishes worldwide. At Dough Maestro's Pizzeria, we value our roots while also seeking out culinary innovation—that's evident in our offerings that include both timeless Margherita and boundary-pushing specialty pizzas.
Have any of these new topping trends caught your fancy? Or do you have a distinctive topping blend you think we should offer? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!