Year after year, the world of pizza welcomes fresh culinary trends, and 2023 follows suit. At Ember & Basil Pizzeria, we continually monitor what excites pizza enthusiasts across the globe. Here’s our roundup of the most captivating and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The focus on gut health has found its way onto pizza menus, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce complex tangy notes that enhance the richness of cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and also bring new textural layers to traditional pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza showcases house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the tanginess. The combination may seem unconventional, but it’s quickly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based dining continues to rise in popularity, we’ve seen a notable uptick in pizzas featuring inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard vegetable toppings, breakthroughs in plant-based proteins offer options that please even the most devoted meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regular menu items. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many customers choose them for their distinctive flavors and lighter digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Heat seekers rejoice! In 2023, pizza fans have embraced specific regional chili varieties over generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular, but Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are also making appearances on pies.
Our Global Heat pizza features a mix of four regional chilies, each contributing its unique flavor to different sections of the pizza. It’s a spicy adventure that’s especially loved by our more daring diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza with the rising appeal of seasonal foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods frequently rotating with the 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 the natural world while delivering flavors that can’t be produced commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has become more than a passing fad. Building on the popularity of hot honey, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties drizzled onto 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 complexity 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 compound herb butters)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who cherishes the classics or an adventurous eater willing to explore bold new pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At Ember & Basil Pizzeria, 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!