The most unusual and creative pizza toppings you can try

Pizza is one of the most versatile and delicious foods in the world. You can never go wrong with the classic cheese and tomato sauce, but sometimes you might want to spice things up a bit and try something new. Whether you’re feeling adventurous, bored, or curious, there are plenty of unusual and creative pizza toppings that you can experiment with and enjoy.

In this post, I’ll share with you 10 of the most unusual and creative pizza toppings that I’ve tried or heard of, and why you should give them a try too. These toppings are not only tasty, but also fun and easy to make. You can use your favorite pizza dough recipe or buy a ready-made crust, and then add these toppings to create your own unique pizzas.

Before we get to the list, here are some general tips on how to choose and combine toppings that work well together:

• Think about the balance of flavors, textures, and colors. You want to have a variety of sweet, salty, sour, spicy, and savory flavors; soft, crunchy, chewy, and creamy textures; and bright, dark, and neutral colors.
• Think about the base of your pizza. You can use different sauces or spreads as your base, such as tomato sauce, pesto sauce, barbecue sauce, white sauce, or even hummus. You can also use cheese as your base, such as mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, or goat cheese.
• Think about the cooking time and temperature of your toppings. You want to make sure that your toppings are cooked evenly and don’t burn or dry out. You can pre-cook some toppings in a skillet or oven before adding them to your pizza, such as meat, vegetables, or fruits. You can also add some toppings after baking your pizza, such as fresh herbs, salad greens, or sauces.

Now that you have some ideas on how to create your own unusual and creative pizzas, let’s take a look at the list of 10 toppings that you can try:

Artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes

This is a Mediterranean-inspired topping that adds a tangy and savory flavor to your pizza. Artichoke hearts are tender and nutty, while sun-dried tomatoes are chewy and sweet. Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese and basil leaves for extra freshness.

To make this topping, you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup of drained artichoke hearts
• 1/4 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• A handful of fresh basil leaves

Spread some tomato sauce over your pizza crust, then scatter the artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes evenly over it. Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake your pizza in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Garnish with basil leaves before serving.

Broccoli or cauliflower florets

This is a healthy and crunchy topping that pairs well with garlic and bacon. Broccoli and cauliflower are rich in fiber and vitamins, while garlic and bacon add flavor and crispiness. Roast the florets in the oven before adding them to your pizza for more flavor and texture.

To make this topping, you’ll need:

• 2 cups of broccoli or cauliflower florets
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 4 slices of bacon
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Toss the florets with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic in a baking sheet. Roast them in a preheated oven at 220°C (425°F) for 20 minutes or until tender and browned. Cut the bacon into small pieces and cook them in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Spread some white sauce over your pizza crust, then scatter the roasted florets and bacon pieces evenly over it. Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake your pizza in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Cranberry sauce and turkey

This is a perfect way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers and enjoy a festive pizza. Cranberry sauce adds a sweet and tart contrast to the savory turkey, while cheese adds creaminess and meltiness. Top with some fresh herbs for extra flavor and color.

To make this topping, you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup of cranberry sauce (either homemade or store-bought)
• 2 cups of shredded cooked turkey
• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• A handful of fresh parsley or sage leaves

Spread some cranberry sauce over your pizza crust, then scatter the turkey evenly over it. Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake your pizza in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Garnish with parsley or sage leaves before serving.

Shrimp and crab

This is a seafood lover’s dream topping that adds a rich and decadent taste to your pizza. Shrimp and crab are tender and sweet, while cheese, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes add creaminess, zing, and spice. Use a white sauce or pesto as your base for extra flavor.

To make this topping, you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup of white sauce or pesto
• 1/4 pound of cooked shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1/4 pound of cooked crab meat (picked over for shells)
• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
• A pinch of red pepper flakes

Spread some white sauce or pesto over your pizza crust, then scatter the shrimp and crab evenly over it. Sprinkle the cheese on top, then sprinkle the lemon zest and red pepper flakes over it. Bake your pizza in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Raspberry and mascarpone

This is a sweet and creamy topping that makes a delicious dessert pizza. Raspberries are juicy and tart, while mascarpone cheese is smooth and rich. Use a lemon custard as your base for extra sweetness and freshness. Drizzle some honey or chocolate sauce for extra indulgence.

To make this topping, you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup of lemon custard (either homemade or store-bought)
• 1/4 cup of mascarpone cheese
• 1 cup of fresh raspberries
• Honey or chocolate sauce for drizzling

Spread some lemon custard over your pizza crust, then dot with mascarpone cheese. Scatter the raspberries evenly over it. Bake your pizza in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Drizzle with honey or chocolate sauce before serving.

Chipotle cajun shrimp and guacamole

This is a spicy and smoky topping that adds a kick to your pizza. Shrimp are marinated in chipotle sauce and cajun seasoning, then baked on your crust with cheese. Top with fresh guacamole and cilantro for a cooling contrast.

To make this topping, you’ll need:

• 1/4 pound of raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 2 tablespoons of chipotle sauce (either homemade or store-bought)
• 1 teaspoon of cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup of guacamole (either homemade or store-bought)
• A handful of fresh cilantro leaves

Toss the shrimp with chipotle sauce, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Spread some tomato sauce over your pizza crust, then scatter the shrimp evenly over it. Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake your pizza in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Top with guacamole and cilantro before serving.

Beet pesto and goat cheese

This is a colorful and earthy topping that adds a unique flavor to your pizza. Beets are roasted and blended with garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and cheese to make a beet pesto. Spread it over your crust, then crumble some goat cheese on top for a tangy and creamy contrast.

To make this topping, you’ll need:

• 2 medium beets (peeled and chopped)
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup of pine nuts
• 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup of goat cheese

Toss the beets with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a baking sheet. Roast them in a preheated oven at 220°C (425°F) for 30 minutes or until tender and caramelized. Transfer them to a food processor or blender and add the garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth and creamy. Spread some beet pesto over your pizza crust, then crumble some goat cheese on top. Bake your pizza in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Chicken tikka masala

This is an Indian-inspired topping that adds a warm and aromatic flavor to your pizza. Chicken tikka masala is a dish of chicken pieces cooked in a creamy tomato sauce with spices. You can use some leftover chicken tikka masala or make your own with chicken, yogurt, tomato sauce, and spices. Top with cheese, onion, cilantro, and lime wedges for a fresh and zesty finish.

To make this topping, you’ll need:

• 2 cups of chicken tikka masala (either homemade or store-bought)
• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup of chopped onion
• A handful of fresh cilantro leaves
• Lime wedges for squeezing

Spread some chicken tikka masala over your pizza crust, then sprinkle the cheese on top. Bake your pizza in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Scatter the onion and cilantro over it before serving. Squeeze some lime juice over each slice for extra flavor.

Strawberry balsamic pizza with chicken, sweet onion, and bacon

This is a sweet and savory topping that adds a burst of flavor to your pizza. Chicken, onion, and bacon are cooked in a skillet with balsamic vinegar and honey to create a sticky and caramelized mixture. Spread it over your crust with cheese, then add some sliced strawberries for a fruity and refreshing touch.

To make this topping, you’ll need:

• 1/4 pound of chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1/4 cup of chopped sweet onion
• 4 slices of bacon (cut into small pieces)
• 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup of sliced strawberries

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 15 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. In the same skillet, add the onion and bacon and cook for about 10 minutes or until crisp and browned. Drain on paper towels. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the balsamic vinegar and honey to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until thickened and syrupy. Spread some tomato sauce over your pizza crust, then scatter the chicken, onion, and bacon evenly over it. Sprinkle the cheese on top, then add the strawberries. Drizzle some balsamic glaze over it. Bake your pizza in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Pizza nachos

This is a fun and cheesy topping that combines two of your favorite snacks: pizza and nachos. Layer some tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, beans, corn, jalapeños, olives, and sour cream over your crust. Bake until melted and bubbly, then enjoy with your hands or a fork.

To make this topping, you’ll need:

• 2 cups of tortilla chips
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup of salsa
• 1/4 cup of black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1/4 cup of corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• A few slices of jalapeño peppers
• A few black olives (sliced)
• Sour cream for dolloping

Spread some tomato sauce over your pizza crust, then layer the tortilla chips evenly over it. Sprinkle the cheese on top, then spoon the salsa over it. Scatter the beans, corn, jalapeños, and olives over it. Bake your pizza in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Dollop some sour cream over it before serving.

Conclusion

These are just some of the most unusual and creative pizza toppings that you can try at home. They are not only delicious, but also fun and easy to make. You can use these toppings as inspiration or come up with your own combinations. The possibilities are endless!

I hope you enjoyed this post and found some new ideas for your next pizza night. If you did, please leave a comment below and let me know which topping was your favorite or share your own suggestions. Thank you for reading and don’t forget to check out my other posts for more tips and recipes.