Each year brings fresh culinary trends to the world of pizza, and 2024 is no exception. At Ember & Crust Pizzeria, we continually track what is capturing pizza lovers’ palates around the globe. Here is our roundup of the most exciting and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Interest in gut health has reached pizzerias, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce bold tangy notes that complement cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and add 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 may seem unconventional, 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 significant uptick in pizzas with creative meat alternatives. Beyond standard veggie toppings, innovations in plant-based proteins now offer options that satisfy even dedicated meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are regular features on our menu. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many guests choose them for their distinct flavors and lighter digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice enthusiasts rejoice! 2024 has pizza lovers embracing specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular, but we’re now seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appear on pies.
Our Global Heat pizza showcases a medley of four regional chilies, each bringing its own flavor profile to different sections of the pizza. It’s a spicy adventure 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 the rising popularity of seasonal foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods making frequent appearances 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 quality. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world while delivering flavors that aren’t easily cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has firmly established itself as more than a passing trend. Building on the popularity of hot honey from recent years, 2024 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 pairings to gourmet status.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that just missed our top five but are still making a splash 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 compound herb butters)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who favors the classics or an adventurous eater willing to try bold new combinations, pizza remains one of the world’s most adaptable and beloved foods. At Ember & Crust Pizzeria, 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 us to offer? Let us know in the comments or next time you visit!