Every year brings new culinary trends to the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At IsLetFoyerCenter, we're always monitoring what's capturing the taste buds of pizza lovers around the globe. Here's our roundup of the most exciting and popular pizza toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on gut health has migrated to pizzerias, with pickled and cultured vegetables becoming a surprising favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions add intricate tangy notes that complement the creaminess of cheese and tomato sauce. These fermented toppings not only offer probiotic benefits but also introduce new textural depth 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 tang. It may sound unconventional, but it’s quickly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based eating continues to gain traction, we’ve seen a notable rise in demand for pizzas featuring inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard vegetable toppings, innovations in plant-based proteins offer 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 features on our menu. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many customers choose them for their unique flavors and lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice enthusiasts are in for a treat! In 2023, pizza fans embraced specific regional chili varieties over 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 appearing on pies.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each bringing its own flavor profile to distinct sections of the pizza. It’s a spicy journey that’s especially popular with our more adventurous diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza, with seasonal foraged ingredients rising in popularity. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods showing up during their peak 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 delivering flavors that can’t be easily cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast of honey has established itself as more than a fleeting trend. Building on the hot-honey craze of recent years, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties drizzled on 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 narrowly missed our 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 (notably cultured or herb-infused blends)
Whether you prefer classic combinations or bold, new pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At IsLetFoyerCenter, we honor tradition while embracing innovation—that's why you’ll find both timeless Margherita and cutting-edge specialty pies on our menu.
Have you tried any of these trending toppings? Or do you have a favorite combo you’d like to see us offer? Tell us in the comments or the next time you visit!