Welcome to the delectable world of pizza, where tradition meets innovation and flavor knows no bounds. As we embark on a culinary journey through 2024, it’s time to uncover the latest trends shaping the beloved dish that has captured hearts and taste buds worldwide. From cutting-edge technology to tantalizing toppings and global influences, the pizza landscape is evolving at a rapid pace, offering an array of options for pizza aficionados everywhere. Join me as I explore the hottest trends in pizza for 2024 and discover the exciting flavors and trends that await us in the world of pies.
Buon appetito!
Out of the box toppings
Restaurants venturing into the realm of unconventional toppings are spearheading a novel and delectable culinary experience, elevating customer interest to unprecedented heights.
According to Pizza Today’s 2024 Pizza Industry Trends report, vegan meat and cheese alternatives; sweet and hot pepper varieties, including jalapeños, cherry peppers, and pasilla peppers; pepperoni styles such as char or old world; Mexican-inspired meats like Birria, chorizo and carne asada, BBQ pork, chicken and brisket; sweet toppings including hot honey, fig jam and maple syrup; caramelized and pickled vegetables, and BBQ pork, chicken and brisket, are the hottest trends in toppings for 2024.
Farm-to-table Pizza
Eateries that prioritize local sourcing distinguish themselves by offering fresher food with a smaller carbon footprint, while also directly contributing to their local economy. Organic and locally-grown ingredients, such as fresh arugula, artichokes, zucchini, bell peppers, hot peppers and tomatoes are gracing menus everywhere. One of the popular trends? Pizza made with locally-grown root vegetables. In the Caribbean, Jamaican Chefs Nathan Haddad of Peppatree and Dominic Pearson of Dom’s Pizza, recently created a video as part of the World Food Programme Caribbean Multi-Country office’s, “Returning to our Roots” campaign, in which they made corned pork and yam pizza, sweet potato and rosemary pizza and cassava crisps salad pizza.
The making of a sweet potato and rosemary pizza
Balsamic glazes
Balsamic Glazes add a unique and unexpected flavor twist to pizza— and the world seems to agree. According to Tastewise, pizza is one of the fastest rising applications for balsamic vinegar, having grown by more than 14% in online searches in the past year. Italian balsamic brand, Ponti, offers full-bodied, sweet, and sour flavors with moderate acidity and an enticing aroma of cooked fruit and are available across pizzerias in Italy, the United States, and also for home use. Ponti’s Chili Pepper Glaze creates a symphony of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, combining bold heat and chili peppers with the rich sweetness of aged balsamic vinegar to add a distinct flavor to pizza.
Fig and Blue Cheese grilled pizza with Balsamic Vinegar
Italian region-specific pizzas
Regional pizza styles and distinct flavors have evolved over time due to various factors including historical, cultural, and geographical influences. Climate and geography have also played a role; cold regions may offer hearty deep-dish pizza, while hot climates favor lighter, fresher toppings. Innovation drives pizza diversity, especially in culinary hubs, and local preferences and competition among pizzerias further shape pizza styles.
Chef Matteo Legnaro of Bacco Pizza in Barbados says that his famous chorizo, smoked cheese, jalapeño and sweet pepper pizza is inspired by his hometown of Padova in Italy. “It’s about 30 minutes from Venice by train,” he says, with a smile. “It’s small, not a tourist trap but one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Are you heading to Italy anytime soon? Come talk to me! I’ll hook you up with the best places to see. Maybe even a visit to my mum for the best food you’ll ever have! Ti voglio bene Mamma!”
Chef Matteo Legnaro making his famous Padova pizza at Worthing Square Food Garden in Barbados
Global Fusion
A current sizzling trend in the pizza realm involves exploring diverse styles and influences, ranging from traditional American and Asian to innovative fusion concepts blending multiple cuisines. These emerging styles bring a wealth of diversity and adventurous flavors to consumers, while also presenting exciting avenues for innovation and collaboration within the culinary world. Some examples include Tandoori chicken pizza, curry pizza, Greek-style pizza, Tex Mex pizza, caviar pizza, the Swedish pizza kebab or even sushi-inspired pizzas. A local favorite in the Cayman Islands? Paradise Pizza’s Habibi pizza made with house made mozzarella, lamb shawarma, onion, sesame and banana peppers.
Chicken tandoori pizza made with tandoori chicken pieces, tomato, onion, green peppers and cilantro/ … [+]
Sweet and Spicy flavors
Pizza Hut recently released its 2024 report on pizza trends, highlighting the enduring popularity of sweet and spicy pizza options.
According to Pizza Hut, menus featuring sweet and spicy combinations have surged by 38% in the past year, with hot honey anticipated to surpass nearly all other culinary and beverage flavors by 2027. Pizza Hut foresees a continued rise in the popularity of spicy flavors, particularly among Gen-Z, who have shown a preference for hot sauce.
Capitalizing on this trend, Pizza Hut is introducing hot honey offerings nationwide, starting February 1st, for a limited time at select participating locations. The Hot Honey Pizza offers a choice of crust, topped with marinara sauce, cheese, classic pepperonis, and crispy cupped pepperonis, finished with a drizzle of sweet sauce infused with red habaneros and a touch of honey.
Pizza Hut has released its report on 2024 pizza trends: demand remains high for sweet and spicy … [+]
Artisan Crusts
Artisan crusts, renowned for their handcrafted excellence and distinctive flavor profiles, are experiencing a surge in popularity. These crusts are often crafted using a combination of various flours, infused with herbs, imbued with flavors such as garlic or cheese, and representing a variety of textures. With its origins in Naples, Italy, Neapolitan style crust has taken center stage as a top trend for 2024. Featuring a thin crust adorned with a puffy, charred edge, and cooked to perfection in a wood-fired oven at high temperatures for a mere 60-90 seconds, its texture and simplicity is what makes the Neopolitan crust extra-special and delicious. Chef Matteo Legnaro says that his Tartufo pizza, with a crust that resembles the trending Neopolitan style— crispy and chewy— topped with mushrooms, Italian sausage, Parmesan and truffle oil is a best seller at Bacco Pizza.
The famous Neopolitan pizza crust
Pizza for Health-Conscious Consumers
Even with its reputation for being unhealthy, pizza maintains its status as one of the most widely consumed dishes globally, with a staggering 30 billion pizzas devoured annually. In response to the new trend in health-conscious and specialized diets, the pizza landscape has evolved to embrace dietary diversity, with gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options in meats and cheeses. Healthy options are now widely accessible, catering to a broader spectrum of customers. Moreover, in response to the growing demand from those adhering to low-carb and gluten-free diets, chefs are innovating by introducing alternative crusts crafted from cauliflower, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, beetroot, spinach and many more veggie options, further expanding the array of choices available.
Bogota, Colombia, El Chico, Karen’s Pizza restaurant, cauliflower and cheese pizza appetizer . … [+]
As we navigate through 2024, it’s evident that the world of pizza is undergoing a fascinating transformation. From the emergence of farm-to-table and health conscious ingredients as gourmet options to the exploration of diverse culinary influences and innovative toppings, the pizza industry is embracing creativity and redefining traditional norms. With a focus on sustainability, new out of the box flavors, and the fusion of global cuisines, pizza lovers can look forward to an exciting array of choices that cater to evolving tastes and preferences. As we continue to push the boundaries of culinary innovation, one thing is certain: the future of pizza is diverse, dynamic, and delicious.