Pizza is one of the most delicious foods ever created. For many of us, it was one of the main categories on the food pyramid during our college years.
People from all walks of life love to eat pizza.
We love pizza too!
Pizza is eaten and celebrated all around the world in many different countries and cultures in many different forms.
The cheesy goodness of pizza transcends the language barrier and could quite possibly be what brings about world peace.
While a pizza is perfectly good with just bread, sauce and loads of mozzarella cheese, the addition of toppings is what takes pizza from being a mere food item to being a culinary art.
Pizza Toppings: Ideas For Your Next Pizza Party
In this article, we will dive into the most popular pizza toppings, as well as exotic pizza toppings you may have never considered but are actually quite tasty.
If you're planning a pizza party with friends and family, this article will help give you the best ideas for your choice of toppings!
Let's get started.
The Most Popular Pizza Toppings
While many unique and exotic toppings have seen the surface of a bubbling hot pizza, there are a few that have stood the test of time.
In virtually every pizzeria across the country and beyond, you will find these standard (yet delicious) toppings as an option for your pizza.
Pepperoni
Pepperoni is the most ordered topping in America. From little kids to grown adults, pepperoni is a favorite.
If you ask a kid to draw a pizza, chances are the picture will contain pepperoni. That's because the iconic pepperoni on pizza is a classic way to make a pizza.
Pepperonis are fabulous!
These delicious little circles of salted meat can be added to a pizza to give it that extra greasy spiciness and zest.
Pepperoni also adds protein to your pizza, helping you to feel fuller for longer. Just be careful not to eat too much pepperoni pizza, because it can be bad for you over time.
Sausage
Another meaty favorite is crumbled Italian sausage. Adding texture and substance to a pizza, sausage can be a delicious way to add protein and character to any pizza.
Sausage is definitely one of my favorites.
If you're feeling health conscious, you can use crumbled turkey sausage as well.
Mushrooms
One of my favorite pizza toppings is mushrooms.
While not as popular as pepperoni, mushrooms on pizza is an American classic. People have been eating mushrooms on pizza for decades, and chances are it will always be a fan favorite!
Mushrooms contain B vitamins, Vitamin D and many other essential vitamins and minerals.
But perhaps the coolest thing about mushrooms other than their delicious taste is that mushrooms also contain protein!
Extra Cheese
There's one surefire way to make a great pizza an awesome pizza; by doubling up the amount of cheese you add to it.
Yes, extra cheese (for me anyway) is absolutely essential to a good pizza.
Some pizza places never seem to put enough mozzarella on your cheese pizza. But, by requesting extra cheese, you can make your pizza cheesy to the max.
If you're making pizza at home, it's fun to experiment with all sorts of different cheese types, creating a cheese heaven for you, your friends and your family.
Black Olives
Back in the day, there was a little pizza place near me that made ridiculously good pizza.
One of the best pizzas they made was an extra cheese pizza with sliced black olives.
Man, that was a seriously good pizza.
Black olives are a fun, salty and delicious topping you can add to give your pizza a nice contrasting color and add character and flavor.
Black olives are a win in my book. And many people across the globe agree because they are one of the most popular pizza toppings!
Ham
While not my personal favorite topping (although I wouldn't scrape it off), little slices or cubes of ham on a pizza are adored and loved by many.
And there are some diehard ham fans out there. Some people won't even eat a pizza unless it has ham on it!
The protein-packed ham addition to a pizza is a favorite among many. If you like ham, try it on a pizza!
Onions
While one of the most popular toppings, this ingredient can split a room faster than talking about religion, relationships or politics.
There are only two types of people in the world: people who love onions and people who hate onions. There's rarely an in-between.
But, if you like onions (for the record, I love them!) feel free to add them to your pizza to give it that extra bold and awesome flavor!
Green Peppers
If you're feeling like your pizza needs something green, you may want to try the deliciousness of sliced green peppers.
Now, green peppers are not the most popular pizza topping in a standalone setting. That is, most people don't just add green peppers and nothing else.
However, green peppers make a great complementary ingredient on pizza.
For example, black olives, pepperoni and green peppers are delicious together on a pizza.
Try it sometime!
The Supreme
What happens when you can't decide if you want pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, black olives, ham, sausage, extra cheese or onions?
That's where the mighty Supreme Pizza comes into action.
A supreme pizza is a pizza that contains all of the most popular pizza toppings.
The benefit of a supreme pizza--if you're eating out at a pizzeria--is that all of the toppings contained in the supreme are sometimes considered just one topping.
If you ordered black olives, sausage and pepperoni by itself, it may end up costing more than if you just ordered the supreme!
Popular Exotic Pizza Toppings
Pizza lovers had no intention of stopping at the basic toppings. The world of pizza demands intricate and unique creativity to keep it thriving.
While there are countless exotic pizza toppings, we will list some of the most popular here.
Pineapple
No pizza topping (except for our next featured exotic topping) has created more controversy, feuding and debate than the mighty pineapple.
Does pineapple belong on pizza? It does if you want it there!
That's the great thing about pizza; you can do whatever the hell you want to it!
And if you want to ruin it, put pineapple on it! Just kidding, my dear pineapple lovers, just kidding. We'll be kind.
One of the most popular combinations on a pizza is pineapple coupled with ham. Not my favorite, but hey, there are enough people out there who like it that maybe you should give it a try sometime!
Anchovies
Another room-splitter here; the infamous anchovy.
Anchovies are salty little fish with a very unique flavor.
Once upon a time, anchovies were a featured pizza topping that almost every pizzeria carried.
Today, anchovies are less commonly offered as a staple pizza topping, but some people love them.
And, if you're a fan of the cartoon Futurama, you'll know that Philip J. Fry thought that anchovies were the best. He loved them so much he was willing to pay billions of dollars for one can!
Bacon
Similar to the pepperoni and ham option, bacon has become so popular that it's not even considered exotic anymore.
Sliced thin or crumbled, bacon is a delicious extra topping you can sprinkle on a pizza!
Lamb
A Middle Eastern favorite, lamb is an exotic pizza topping that is becoming more popular in the U.S.
Adding hearty and bountiful texture and flavor, lamb is a protein-packed topping that will give your pizza unique awesomeness.
Squid
The name squid might make some people's stomachs turn, but it's actually quite delicious on a pizza.
For a gourmet-style pizza, squid pizza with saffron aioli is divine!
If you're not a fan of bare squid, try a lightly breaded calamari.
It's exquisite!
Chèvre
Chèvre or goat cheese is an exciting way to spruce up your pizza.
Goat cheese can be used in conjunction with mozzarella, offering a unique amalgamation of flavor and texture.
Goat cheese is typically softer and creamier than pizzeria-style mozzarella, and the contrast is divine.
For exotic pizzas, try exotic cheeses!
Feta
While we're still talking about cheese, who can forget the famous feta?
While not as "exotic" as it used to be, feta cheese can offer a unique Mediterranean flare to your pizza.
One of my favorite gourmet pizzas includes kalamata olives, feta cheese, prosciutto, basil and fresh mozzarella.
Good stuff!
Pumpkin
Who wants pumpkin spiced pizza?!
If you're a white girl wearing tight blue jeans and a pair of Ugg boots, your eyes may have just lit up.
Yes, you can eat pumpkin on pizza, and it's actually pretty good. Try it with goat cheese!
Berry Medley
If you thought pineapple was offensive, stick around, because there's more.
People these days are adding various fruits to their pizza, along with traditional ingredients.
Blasphemy! Right? Wrong. It's delicious!
Have you ever had pepperoni, 4-cheese blackberry pizza?
What about sausage, cranberry and black olives on your pizza?
(Don't knock it 'til you try it!)
Whether it's raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or whatever berry you can find, adding them to pizza can make a bold statement and add a fusion of unique flavors.
Quail Eggs
Any type of egg can be added to a pizza, but if you really want to make your pie exotic, consider the little quail egg.
Hailed as a delicacy across the globe, quail eggs are a delicious way to add some serious exoticness to your pizza.
Caviar
While we're talking about eggs, we can't forget about one of the most prized delicacies of them all; caviar.
There's a pizza place in New York (I think it's still there) that has a special blend of rare caviar that they offer on a pizza.
The owner of the restaurant hand delivers the pizza to your table.
It only costs about a thousand dollars.
Though I probably wouldn't order that for myself, I'm sure it's good!
Coconut
If you're adding shrimp to your pizza, why not add some sweetened toasted coconut flakes?
Yes, shrimp and coconut (or coconut shrimp) are becoming more popular as pizza toppings in our world where people are seeking something new and different.
Coconut is an exotic pizza topping for sure.
Spinach
While not really considered exotic anymore, it's certainly not the most popular thing to add to a pizza.
However, spinach--especially with white sauce--is amazing on pizza.
If you're looking to add some green to your pizza, spinach is a great, healthy choice!
Prosciutto
If you want to try something different and exotic but still be within the framework of guaranteed good eating, you must try prosciutto on your pizza.
The trick to prosciutto is to add it to the pizza when it's halfway through cooking or after it's finished cooking.
Otherwise it can get too crispy.
Nevertheless, prosciutto is excellent on pizza. Try a Greek-style pizza with kalamata olives, feta, sundried tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella.
A Huge List of Pizza Toppings
If you want some inspiration or ideas on what toppings to throw on your next pizza, observe this mighty list of real pizza toppings!
In no particular order:
- Pepperoni
- Sausage
- Black Olives
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Green Peppers
- Ham
- Pineapple
- Extra Cheese
- Kalamata Olives
- Feta Cheese
- Goat Cheese
- Red Pepper
- Orange Pepper
- Yellow Pepper
- Chickpeas
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Pumpkin
- Chicken
- Spinach
- Truffles
- Parmesan
- Brie
- Trout
- Sea Bass
- Lamb
- Sushi
- Roe
- Gorgonzola
- Apples
- Chestnuts
- Walnuts
- Macadamia
- Prosciutto
- Salami
- Sliced Filet Mignon
- Top Sirloin
- Radish
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Black Berries
- Bacon
- Apricot
- Heirloom Tomatoes
- Basil
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Seaweed
- Capers
- Coarse Black Pepper
- Shiitake
- Pulled Pork
- Roasted Duck
- Turkey
- Fennel
- Arugula
- Scrapple
- Hummus
- Cottage Cheese
- Hashed Potato
- Grilled Peppers
- Ground Beef
- Swordfish
- Toasted Coconut
- Nacho Cheese
- Jalapenos
- Candied Bacon
- Okra
- Beets
- Anchovies
- Cheddar
- Figs
- Quail Eggs
- Shrimp
- Scallops
- Braised Short Rib
- Sliced Dehydrated Orange
- Peanut Sauce
- Chili Peppers
- Tofu
- Panko
- Alfredo Sauce
- Artichokes
- Queso
- Ricotta
- Croutons
- Carolina Reaper
The Bottom Line
Pizza isn't just a food; it's a category of food.
You are limited only by your imagination when crafting the perfect pizza, and therefore the perfect pizza party!
There are endless possibilities of pizza toppings you can incorporate to make a pizza pie special.
We invite you to experiment and try to come up with some super unique pizzas!
If exotic isn't your thing, there's nothing wrong with a pizza with your standard basic toppings. They're the easiest kind of pizza to reheat.
And sometimes the best pizza is just a good old New York-style cheese pizza.
Whatever you choose, have fun and enjoy!
Thank you for stopping by!
