Every year brings fresh influences to the world of pizza, and 2024 is no exception. At Crust & Basil Pizzeria, we continually track what captures pizza lovers’ palates worldwide. Here’s our round-up of the most exciting and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Interest in gut-friendly foods has made its way onto pies, with fermented veggies becoming a surprising favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions contribute tangy, layered flavors that complement cheese and sauce. These toppings also introduce probiotic benefits and new textural twists to classic pizzas.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the tang. The combination might seem unusual, but it’s swiftly become one of our most-loved specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based eating stays popular, we’re seeing a rise in pizzas with inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard veggie toppings, innovations in plant-based proteins offer options that please even dedicated meat enthusiasts.
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 their distinctive flavors and lighter digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice lovers, rejoice! 2024 has pizza fans embracing specific regional chilies rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chiles remain popular, but we’re also seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appear on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four regional chilies, each contributing its unique profile to different sections of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure especially loved by our more adventurous guests.
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 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 distinctive aromatic quality. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world while delivering flavors that can’t be cultivated on farms.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast of honey has cemented itself as more than a fleeting fad. Building on the popularity of hot honey in recent years, 2024 has seen 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 appearing on menus nationwide. These finishing touches add depth and elevate simple combinations to gourmet levels.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that narrowly missed the top five but are still making waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, microplaned 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 prefer the classics or crave bold new pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most versatile and beloved foods. At Crust & Basil Pizzeria, we honor tradition while embracing innovation—that’s why you’ll find both timeless Margherita and cutting-edge specialty pies on our menu.
Have you explored any of these trending toppings? Or is there a unique combination you’d like us to offer? Share your thoughts in the comments or next time you visit!