Each year introduces fresh culinary movements in the realm of pizza, and 2024 is no exception. At ShiftSystemCorner, we continually track what delights pizza enthusiasts around the world. Here is our roundup of the most exciting and popular toppings creating buzz this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on gut wellness has reached pizzerias, with fermented vegetables turning into a surprising favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring intricate tangy notes that complement the richness of cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and introduce new textural dimensions to traditional pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, finished with a drizzle of local honey to balance the tanginess. The combination might sound unusual, but it's rapidly becoming one of our most requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
With plant-based eating continuing to gain traction, we've seen a notable rise in demand for pizzas featuring inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard veggie toppings, 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 features on our menu. These proteins are not just for vegetarians—many of our customers choose them for their unique flavors and lighter digestive footprint.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice lovers, rejoice! 2024 has seen pizza fans embrace 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 showing up on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four different regional chilies, each contributing its distinctive flavor to different portions of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure that has been especially popular with our more adventurous diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza, with rising interest in seasonal foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, including varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods that appear 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 can’t be easily cultivated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast created by honey has established itself as more than a fleeting trend. 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 appear 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 an impact 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 loves the classics or an adventurous eater eager to try bold new combinations, pizza remains one of the world’s most versatile and beloved foods. At ShiftSystemCorner, 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 next time you visit!