Every year brings fresh culinary movements to the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At NexusPlainEntry, we continually track what captivates pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Here’s our digest of the most exciting and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Interest in gut health has reached pizzerias, with fermented vegetables turning into a surprising favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce tangy, multifaceted flavors that balance the richness of cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and new textural dimensions to classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pie features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, finished with a drizzle of local honey to temper the tang. The pairing may seem unconventional, yet it’s rapidly 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 inventive meat substitutes. Beyond traditional veggie toppings, breakthroughs in plant-based proteins offer options that satisfy even the most 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 customers choose them for their distinct flavors and lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice lovers rejoice! 2023 has seen pizza fans embrace specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chiles remain popular from earlier years, but we’re now seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chiles, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang showing up on pies.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each contributing its distinct flavor to different sections of the pizza. It’s a fiery adventure that has been especially popular with bolder 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 take the lead, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing 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 nature while delivering flavors that can’t be easily cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has become more than a passing trend. Building on the popularity of hot honey in recent years, 2023 saw 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 making appearances on menus nationwide. These finishing touches add depth 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 (particularly cultured or herb compound butters)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who favors the classics or an adventurous eater open to bold new pairings, pizza remains one of the world's most adaptable and beloved foods. At NexusPlainEntry, 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? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!