Every year brings fresh culinary ideas to the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At CinderHavenPortal, we keep a close eye on what captures pizza lovers’ imaginations worldwide. Here’s our digest of the most exciting and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The focus on gut health has found its way onto pizzerias, with pickled vegetables becoming a surprising hit on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions contribute complex tangy notes that pair well with cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and introduce new textural dimensions to classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pie features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the tang. The combination might sound unusual, but it’s quickly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based eating continues to rise in popularity, we’ve seen a notable uptick in pizzas featuring creative meat alternatives. Beyond standard vegetables, 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 menu items. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many customers choose them for unique flavors and a lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Heat enthusiasts are in for a treat! In 2023, pizza fans embraced specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular, but we’re seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appearing on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each bringing a distinct flavor to different sections of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure loved by more adventurous diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza, with growing interest in seasonal foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, with chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods showing up during their seasons.
Beyond mushrooms, we’ve experimented with spring ramps (wild leeks), sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a unique aromatic touch. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world and offer flavors you can’t cultivate commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory balance created by honey has solidified itself as more than a passing fad. Building on the popularity of hot honey in recent years, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties being 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 depth and elevate simple pizza combinations to gourmet status.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that just missed our top five but are still turning heads 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 herb-infused)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves the classics or an adventurous eater willing to try bold new combos, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At CinderHavenPortal, 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!