5 Mid-Year Trends Propelling the Pizza Industry

Whether you’re a traditionalist who swears by the classic margherita or an adventurous pizzaiolo who is paving the way for foodies who are eager to try new toppings and techniques, the LloydPans innovation team has compiled our list of our favorite mid-year pizza trends. As we journey through 2024, which trends will redefine pizza culture? Will it be plant-based options, fusion flavors or cutting-edge technologies (like our newest Handheld-Style Pizza Pan?).

Feelin’ Hot Hot Hot

Thought hot honey reached its pizza peak? Not by a long shot. The Telegraph reports that swicy pairings on pizza menus are up 38% in the last year. Hot honey is “is projected to outpace nearly all other culinary and beverage flavors by 2027.” Pizza Hut’s Hot Honey Pizza reflects similar styles in high demand: honey, marinara sauce, crispy cupped pepperonis and a drizzle of sweet sauce infused with red habaneros.  

Glaze Ways

Speaking of drizzle, pizzaiolos are using balsamic glaze to elevate pizza menus. @CapoPizza recently made a delicious looking Ponti Vinegar Balsamic Glaze, hot on the heels of Forbes citing balsamic glazes as a top trend of the year. Tastewise notes that pizza is one of the fastest rising applications for balsamic vinegar, with a 14% increase in online searches this year. Ponti’s balsamic brand “offers full-bodied, sweet and sour flavors with moderate acidity and an enticing aroma of cooked fruit.”

Dishing International

Globally-inspired ingredients on pizza have definitely made their mark in the U.S. in recent years, but pizzerias are now throwing on the entire dish! Wade Hanson, senior principal at Technomic, tells Bake Magazine that pizza “is becoming a bit of a flavor-carrier.” As the Mexican food staple taco, consumers can get any combination of ingredients and flavors. Take those out of the tortilla and toss them onto pizza dough, and you have a new delight. Other international cuisines hopping out of the dish and onto the flatbread include tikka masala, Tandoori chicken, Tex-Mex, caviar, Swedish kebab and even sushi. (Look for seafood to jump out of the water and into the oven in late 2024 and beyond.)

Eat Local

Farm-to-table is nothing new in the foodie world, but recently customers have taken notice of local sourcing in their pies. Organic and locally-grown ingredients like fresh arugula, artichokes, zucchini, bell peppers, hot peppers, tomatoes and root vegetables are trending, according to Forbes.

Breaking Bacon

Pizza Today’s recent 2024 Pizza Industry Trend Report cited many of the usual suspects. Detroit-style is still No. 1 (Sicilian and grandma are hot on its heels, however) and pepperoni reigns supreme as the most popular pizza topping in the U.S. But, pizza operators brought home a new topping to make the list for the first time: Welcome, bacon! More than 750 respondents said that bacon is becoming more popular on menus, especially on specialty pizzas. We agree that everything is better with bacon, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that this up-and-coming ingredient finally sizzled into the top 5. 

Need a pan to carry your innovative pizzas into the second half of the year? Look no further than LloydPans: the best in the business.