Who doesn’t love a good slice of pizza? While the classic toppings like pepperoni and mushrooms have their loyal fans, there’s a whole world of unexpected and outrageous toppings waiting to elevate your pizza experience. From the timeless to the totally out-there, our guide dives into the best pizza toppings that will satisfy traditionalists and adventurers alike. Get ready to explore flavors you’ve never imagined putting on your pizza!
Pepperoni
Pepperoni is a staple due to its bold, spicy flavor, which complements the mildness of mozzarella and the acidity of tomato sauce. It crisps up at high temperatures, adding a pleasing texture to each slice. The high fat content helps infuse the pizza with rich flavors as it cooks.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are loved for their ability to absorb flavors and add an earthy, umami kick to pizza. They work particularly well on pizzas because they can be sautéed beforehand to enhance their flavor, or added raw to cook directly on the pie, offering flexibility in texture.
Onions
Onions transform in flavor depending on how they’re cooked. Raw onions add sharpness, enhancing the other flavors on the pizza, while caramelized onions contribute a deep sweetness that can balance spicier toppings like sausage or jalapeños.
Sausage
Italian sausage is a favored topping because of its fennel and anise notes, which offer complexity to the pizza’s flavor profile. It’s typically crumbled and distributed evenly to ensure that every bite has a burst of spicy, meaty goodness.
Bacon
Bacon introduces a smoky, salty dimension to pizza. It can be chopped and sprinkled over the top before baking, where it renders its fat and becomes incredibly crispy, adding both texture and a robust flavor that is hard to resist.
Extra Cheese
Adding extra cheese creates a richer, more decadent experience. Different cheeses melt and brown at different rates, providing a variety of textures and flavors. For instance, combining mozzarella with gouda or fontina can introduce complexity with subtle smoky notes.
Black Olives
Black olives contribute a distinctive salty and slightly bitter flavor that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the dough and sauce. They are often sliced thinly to distribute their briny flavor throughout the pizza.
Green Bell Peppers
Green bell peppers offer a fresh, vegetal crispness. Their mild bitterness and crunch provide a counterbalance to the richness of cheeses and meats, making them a staple in combination pizzas.
Pineapple
Pineapple provides a sweet, tangy contrast that complements salty toppings like ham or bacon. The moisture from the pineapple helps to temper the saltiness, creating a well-rounded flavor profile that is both controversial and beloved.
Spinach
Spinach adds a nutritional boost and a subtle, earthy flavor to pizza. It wilts slightly when exposed to the high heat of the oven, melding seamlessly with cheeses and providing a textural contrast to crisper toppings.
Broccoli
Broccoli adds not only a healthful element but also a crunch and slight bitterness that can be mitigated by roasting it prior to topping the pizza. It’s an unconventional choice that pairs well with creamy or sharp cheeses.
Artichokes
Artichoke hearts offer a tender, slightly tangy and nutty flavor that complements richer ingredients like creamy cheeses or oily toppings like olives and anchovies. They are often marinated to enhance these flavors.
Anchovies
Anchovies pack a punch with their intense saltiness and fishiness, providing a deep umami experience. They’re typically used sparingly but are essential for adding a layer of flavor that permeates the entire pie.
Egg
Adding an egg to pizza brings a gourmet touch. As the pizza bakes, the egg cooks but keeps a soft yolk, which, when broken, acts as a rich sauce that enriches every bite. It pairs especially well with spinach, bacon, or a simple margherita base.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese’s strong, pungent flavor can transform a simple pizza into a more complex dish. It melts into a creamy texture with a robust flavor profile that’s particularly good with sweet toppings like honey or balsamic reduction.
Figs
Figs on pizza are a nod to sweet-savory combinations, providing a chewy texture and a natural sweetness that contrasts well with salty cheeses or cured meats. Fresh figs are juicy and sweet, while dried figs offer a more concentrated flavor.
Potatoes
Sliced thinly, potatoes can be a hearty, rustic topping, especially when paired with rosemary, garlic, and salt. They bake to a soft, comforting texture that complements a crispy crust and adds an extra layer of heartiness.
Prosciutto
Prosciutto adds a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a salty flavor that enhances the sweetness of sauces and dough. It’s often added after baking to preserve its delicate texture, draped over hot pizzas to slightly wilt from the residual heat.
Buffalo Chicken
Buffalo chicken brings the spicy, tangy flavor of buffalo wings to pizza. It’s usually paired with a cooling drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing, making it a favorite for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
Pesto
Pesto as a base sauce offers a bright, herby foundation that’s a delightful change from traditional tomato sauce. It’s rich in olive oil and basil, which pairs wonderfully with both vegetable and meat toppings, lending a fresh, Mediterranean vibe to the pizza.
Truffle Oil
Truffle oil is used sparingly to finish a pizza, adding a whisper of earthy, musky aroma. It’s particularly effective on simple pizzas with few toppings, where its distinctive flavor can truly shine, turning an ordinary pizza into an extraordinary one.
This article originally appeared on UnifyCosmos.
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