Looking for pizza toppings ideas? The options are truly never-ending. Some of the classics that almost everyone likes are fresh mozzarella, basil and tomatoes. If you’re feeling a little quirky, some pineapple on the pizza never hurt anybody (regardless of unwritten Italian food rules). For a healthier, greener option, rucola is also amazing. And the flash of color will make your pizza stand out!
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To narrow down the options, we’ve listed our favorite 25 favorite pizza topping ideas. We hope that it’ll inspire you to break out of your comfort zone and try something new!
Classic pizza toppings
1. Margherita pizza
The Margherita pizza was invented in the nineteenth century. It was originally made in honor of the Queen of Italy’s (Margherita of Savoy) visit to Naples. This classic consists of tangy tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves are added after the pizza is cooked. It’s a go-to when you want a simple, no-fuss pizza!
2. Capricciosa pizza
Capricciosa is traditionally topped with ham, mushrooms, mozzarella, and marinated artichoke hearts. You can add to the salty factor with some green or black olives.
3. Quattro formaggi pizza
Four types of cheese on a pizza? Just take our money! Since the Italians are famous for their cheeses, it’s only natural they’d have a pizza with their most popular ones! As the name suggests, quattro formaggi combines 4 types of cheese. You’ll find light and creamy mozzarella, tangy parmesan, mild and smooth ricotta, and intense gorgonzola cheese.
4. Prosciutto pizza
The main character of this pizza is prosciutto. Since it’s on the salty side, it goes extremely well with light mozzarella cheese. Some variations include fresh rucola. Just make sure you add it after your pizza comes out of the oven. This way, it won’t end up burnt and sad-looking!
5. Burrata pizza
One of our personal favorites we couldn’t help adding to the list is definitely burrata pizza. The smooth burrata cheese complements the pizza dough like no other. As soon as you cut into the cheese, its creamy interior spills out. And we all know how much everyone loves an oozing cheese! Burrata cheese goes great with thinly sliced prosciutto, fresh basil leaves, fresh or roasted cherry tomatoes.
Healthy pizza toppings
There are plenty of healthier and plant-based ingredients that you can add to your pizza. If you’re looking to reduce calories, eat more fiber, or just adopt a more balanced approach to your nutrition, you can still enjoy pizza. With no trade-offs on taste, we promise!
1. Vegetables pizza
Using vegetables as pizza toppings is the safest way to ensure your pizza becomes even more nutritious and delicious. You can go with colorful bell peppers, spinach, broccoli and zucchini.
2. Chicken pizza
Chicken is a great source of protein. It goes very well with vegetables like broccoli and zucchini. You can grill the chicken breast or cook it and shred it. And add it as a topping just before the dough is cooked. We guarantee you’ll be happy – and the protein will help keep you full. Here’s a recipe we’re particularly fond of.
3. Avocado pizza
Avocado is the hero ingredient in plenty of meals – but especially where bread or dough is involved. Hello, avocado toast! While it may seem unusual, it’s also a great pizza topping! Avocado is rich in monounsaturated fats. They’re also considered “good fats” that can help improve cholesterol levels. Also, the creamy texture of avocado is delicious! Adding it at the end is best, so it doesn’t go brown.
4. Feta cheese pizza
Feta cheese is on the healthier side of cheeses. With its crumbly texture and tangy flavor, feta cheese adds an exotic Mediterranean taste to your pizza. It pairs exceptionally well with fresh basil and juicy cherry tomatoes. Remember to cut the mozzarella down a little to account for the extra cheese, though!
5. Smoked salmon pizza
Fish is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, which have numerous health benefits. So adding a seafood topping like smoked salmon or shrimp are good ways to raise the overall health score of your pizza. Adding chopped yellow or red onions provide a great contrast to the delicate flavor of the fish. If you’re not a big onion fan, fresh rucola can also enhance the flavor. Give this recipe a try!
Fusion flavor pizza toppings
Pizza is loved all over the world. So why do pizza toppings elsewhere often differ from those in Italy? Authentic Italian pizza toppings weren’t always as easily accessible as they are today. So people outside of Italy had to get creative! People used what they had, added their own twist, and expanded the pizza family globally. This explains the creation of pineapple pizza!
1. Tandoori chicken pizza
The key ingredient in this Indian-style pizza is tandoori chicken. Tandoori-style chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt and tandoori spices, such as cumin, coriander, garlic, ginger, and chili powder. The spicy chicken goes perfectly with sliced bell peppers, red onions and tomatoes. Just add a little bit of paneer and lots of coriander, and you’re all set!
2. BBQ chicken pizza
Another great chicken pizza is BBQ chicken pizza. The smokiness of the chicken marinated in BBQ sauce works extremely well with toppings like creamy mozzarella cheese. If you’d like a little more heat, sliced jalapenos add a spicy kick that balances out the sweetness of the meat. For more saltiness, crispy bacon is always an option to consider.
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3. Okonomiyaki pizza
This fusion dish uses the Japanese savory pancake as a pizza crust, and features many toppings common to traditional okonomiyaki. The most popular toppings include thinly sliced bacon, or different seafood, such as shrimp or squid. Green onions and finely shredded nori seaweed add a pop of color and a touch of umami. A drizzle of okonomiyaki sauce connects all the ingredients into one rich and flavorful dish.
4. Taco pizza
Have you tried a taco pizza? The usual toppings are ground beef, typically cooked with taco seasoning with refined beans, and a mixture of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack. This cheese combo is great for melting and adds the gooey texture everyone loves. You can add endless topping options. Our personal favorites are chopped jalapenos, crushed crunchy tortilla chips, and fresh cilantro.
5. Mediterranean pizza
If you’re craving something a bit unique, then Mediterranean pizza is the one for you. Instead of the original tomato sauce, you’ll find a pesto based sauce. Yum! Just add some vegetables, like cherry tomatoes, artichokes, red onions, bell peppers, and there you have it – healthy, fresh, and easy! Feta cheese and olives are the icing on the cake.
Pizza toppings for the brave
If you’re feeling a little fed up traditional pizza toppings, we’ve got some interesting pizza topping ideas coming your way. Some may even describe these pizza toppings as controversial! Regardless of what you think, these unusual toppings will surely broaden your tastes.
1. Pineapple pizza
Pineapple on a pizza? Whichever tribe you belong to, you can’t deny that it’s one of the most controversial pizza toppings ever. The most famous version of it is definitely the Hawaiian pizza, with sliced ham or bacon. For an extra flavor and texture, you can always play with vegetables such as tomatoes, green peppers and red onions.
2. Fig and prosciutto pizza
Want to add a little twist to your standard prosciutto pizza? Add fresh figs! It might sound strange, but the sweetness of the figs contrasts beautifully with the saltiness of the prosciutto. We’d also recommend some fresh rucola, for a touch of bitterness. Or, perhaps a sprinkle of mild ricotta cheese. Here’s the recipe we absolutely adore.
3. Sausage and apple pizza
While we’re on the topic of meat and fruit pizza toppings, we must mention this divine pairing. Savory sausages and crispy apples. And what’s great about these two toppings is that you can probably get them anywhere in the world.
4. Pear and gorgonzola pizza
We known that gorgonzola cheese is an acquired taste, but trust us on this one. Add just a tiny bit of crumbled gorgonzola on thinly sliced pears. And enjoy this unlikely combination! Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze to connect all the ingredients. This combination also goes great with prosciutto.
5.Truffle oil and mushroom pizza
Craving a little extravagance? We’ve got just the right topping combo for you! Luxurious truffle oil paired with earthy mushrooms create an unforgettable pizza experience. You’ll feel like the fanciest diner ever as you tuck into your bougie pizza. You can also add some fresh mozzarella or a sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano to bring out existing flavors.
We hope that our list gave you more insight into common pizza toppings and more unusual ones. We think one of the best things about pizza is how customizable they are – so we’d always encourage you to be open-minded. Next time you’re sharing pizza with family or friends, try a pizza topping that you wouldn’t go for. You just might be surprised!
