Each year brings fresh culinary waves to the world of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At CanvasHiddenConnect, we continually track what captures pizza enthusiasts’ palates worldwide. Here’s our roundup of the most exciting and popular toppings making an impact this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on gut wellness has found a place on pizza menus, with fermented veggies becoming a surprising favorite this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions add intricate tangy notes that pair well with the cheese and sauce. These tangy toppings offer probiotic benefits and introduce new textural depth to classic pies.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a touch of local honey to balance the tang. It may sound unconventional, but it’s rapidly turning into one of our most sought-after specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based dining grows in popularity, we’ve seen a notable rise in demand for pizzas featuring inventive meat alternatives. Beyond ordinary veggie toppings, innovations 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 have become regular menu items. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many customers choose them for their distinct flavors and lighter digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice seekers rejoice! 2023 has seen pizza fans embrace specific regional chilies rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular, but we’re now seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora peppers, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appearing on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza combines four distinct regional chilies, each contributing its own flavor to different sections of the pie. It’s a fiery adventure especially loved by the more daring diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza with the rising popularity of seasonal foraged fare. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing throughout 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 note. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world while delivering flavors that can’t be grown commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast of honey has become a lasting favorite. Building on the hot honey trend of recent years, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties drizzled over pizzas just before serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey appear on menus nationwide. These finishing touches add depth and elevate even simple pizza pairings to gourmet levels.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that narrowly missed the top five but are still making waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, shaved 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-butter blends)
Whether you lean toward the classics or relish bold, inventive pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most versatile and beloved foods. At CanvasHiddenConnect, we honor tradition while welcoming innovation—that’s why our menu features both timeless Margherita and cutting-edge specialty pies.
Have you tried any of these trending toppings? Or is there a unique favorite combination you’d like to see us offer? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!