As pizza continues to evolve, 2023 has offered up its own array of popular toppings. At MidlineAccess, we track the global trends captivating pizza aficionados. These are the top toppings that have pizza lovers buzzing this year.
1. Pickled Vegetation
The spotlight on digestive wellness has put pickled vegetation on pizzerias' radars, offering a tangy twist to classic pizzas. Kimchi, pickled cabbage, and marinated onions are blending sour notes with the creamy richness of cheeses and sauces. Beyond enhancing flavor, these zesty toppings boast gut-friendly probiotics and add a novel textural zest to the time-honored pizza.
Our Tangy Twist pizza brings together our own pickled cabbage, kimchi, and pungent gorgonzola, all beautifully balanced with a touch of locally-sourced honey. The unique flavor profile has quickly turned it into one of our signature offerings.
2. Meat Alternatives from Plants
As more people embrace plant-centric diets, a surge in plant-derived meat substitutes as pizza toppings is noticeable. Beyond traditional veggies, the new wave of plant-based proteins is converting even staunch carnivores.
Our menu now boasts Italian sausage made from plants, flavored tempeh, jackfruit treated as pulled pork, and pepperoni crafted from pea protein. These options attract a diverse clientele, offering exciting tastes alongside a lighter dietary impact.
3. Chili Peppers with Local Flair
For those craving heat, this year has brought a preference for distinct chili peppers from specific regions over standard red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue riding the wave of popularity, unique varieties such as smoky Spanish ñora, fiery Peruvian aji amarillo, and savory Korean gochujang are making their mark on the pizza scene.
Spice World pizza is our latest creation that boasts a collection of varying regional chilies, each lending its distinct taste to different sections of the pizza. This fiery gastronomic journey has found favor among our most adventurous patrons.
4. Wild-Crafted Seasonal Add-Ons
Going beyond farm-to-table, the foraged-to-pizza trend celebrates seasonal wild ingredients. Leading this trend are varied wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods that appear periodically.
We are pushing the boundaries with foraged wild leeks, oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and even aromatic new growth from spruce trees. These foraged delights offer an unreplicable connection to nature and a taste experience that can't be replicated by farmed produce.
5. Artisanal Honey Infusions
Honey's sweet-with-savory effect has become a sustained hit. Expanding upon the hot honey craze from previous years, 2023 has ushered in an array of artisanal honeys as pizza finishes.
Honeys infused with truffles, fermented garlic, smoked mesquite, along with CBD-enriched varieties, are drizzled over pies on menus nationwide. These honeys impart a level of sophistication and transform simple pie recipes into gourmet masterpieces.
Standout Mentions
While these didn't make our top five, they are still stirring interest:
- Cured egg yolks, finely shaved over pizzas like delicate golden flakes
- Marinated fruits, particularly pit fruits such as nectarines and apricots
- Toppings from heirloom grains, such as crunchy farro or puffed sorghum for added texture
- Specialty creams (like cultured or flavored butters) in small amounts
No matter if your tastes are set on the familiar or you're eager to explore the adventurous, pizza remains a globally embraced and adaptable dish. At MidlineAccess, we honor timeless recipes while also exploring new culinary territories—that's why you'll spot both the classic Margherita and innovative gourmet pies in our selection.
Have you sampled any of these on-trend toppings? Or maybe you have a distinctive topping combination in mind that you’d love us to feature? Share with us in the comments or drop by to tell us!