Each year brings fresh culinary trends to the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At CaptureGreenWide, we continually track what delights pizza lovers globally. Here's our roundup of the most exciting and popular toppings shaping pizzas this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Interest in gut health has reached pizzerias, with fermented vegetables turning into a surprising favorite this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce tangy complexity that complements cheesiness and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and introduce new texture dimensions 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 unconventional, but it’s rapidly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based dining continues to grow, we’ve seen a notable uptick in pizzas featuring inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard veggie toppings, innovations in plant-based proteins bring options that satisfy even devoted meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regular features on our menu. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many guests choose them for their distinct flavors and lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice enthusiasts rejoice! 2023 has seen pizza fans embracing specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies have stayed popular, but we’re also seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang making appearances on pies.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each contributing its own flavor to different segments of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure that’s particularly popular with bolder palates.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza, with seasonal foraged ingredients rising in prominence. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing across 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 quality. These ingredients connect diners to nature while delivering flavors that aren’t easily cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has become more than a fleeting trend. Building on the popularity of hot honey in recent years, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties drizzled over 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 simple pizza combinations to gourmet levels.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that narrowly missed the top five but are still making waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, microplaned over pizza like a golden snow
- 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-butter blends)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who favors the classics or an adventurous eater willing to try bold new combinations, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At CaptureGreenWide, 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? Let us know in the comments or next time you visit!