Consumers’ Passion for Pizza

The rising trends surrounding in-home cooking, nostalgia, and the consumption of comfort foods all point to one thing: pizza. We can’t think of a more nostalgic, more widely beloved comfort food than pizza, and it’s clear that consumers can’t either. Pizza has always been and will always be a mainstay in consumers’ diets. And now, thanks to the latest trends, pizza is being pushed into the spotlight as a prime opportunity for innovation.

The classic flavors and ingredients that make up the beloved pies have long been craved by consumers, but the possibilities don’t stop there, as pizza is incredibly versatile. Innovating with pizza and pizza flavors, as well as incorporating these flavors into other food products, is the perfect way for brands to capitalize on the popularity of pizza. Keep reading for our experts’ takes on the pizza trends we expect to see in the coming year and how brands can use those trends to create products that consumers will love.

Pizza Galore for 2024

Pizza is already favorite for many consumers; it’s a go-to meal for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast. Consumers are obsessed with its cheesy goodness, versatility, and customizability. Whether it’s served hot or cold, pizza is at the top of many consumers’ minds when mealtimes roll around. With the comfort food trend becoming even more prolific, pizza and pizza flavored food products have become a no brainer when it comes to innovation.

Just like with many other mealtime favorites, consumers are interested in innovative takes on the beloved flavors found in pizza. The latest social media food trends have revolved around showcasing new takes on pizza toppings and pizza sauce, plant-based versions of pizza crust, and both hyper-indulgent and super healthy takes on classic pizza. Consumers will be expecting brands to jump on the bandwagon and step up their innovation game when it comes to pizza in foodservice and the frozen aisle.

Endless Innovation

Spicy flavors, and especially those inspired by international cuisines, are continuing to gain popularity among consumers, and incorporating exotic hot pepper flavors into food products is one way that brands can capitalize on these trends. Creating a spicy twist on pizza sauce with trend flavors that feature trending peppers ancho chilis, poblano peppers, and Calabrian chili peppers, is one way to meet demands for both heat and exotic flavors. Beyond exotic peppers, when creating new pizza sauces, brands should consider innovating with the flavors of trending spicy global condiments, such as gochujang, harissa, and salsa macha.

The innovation doesn’t need to stop with sauce though! Incorporating trending flavors into the dough, cheese, and toppings is yet another way to grab consumers’ attention. Think a sourdough pizza crust, Korean BBQ or birria as toppings, and unique cheese blends that move beyond plain mozzarella.

There are endless trends to inspire innovative pizza product development including better-for-you foods, regional specialties, flavor mashups, and more. In an already crowded and competitive market, brands shouldn’t be afraid to step outside of the box when it comes to pizza innovation.

Pizza and Snacks

As one of the most popular meals among consumers, the flavors found in pizza are perfect for pairing with many of the most popular snack bases. Pizza is full of craveable flavors: tangy tomato, warm baked bread, and cheesy goodness. If we’ve learned anything over time, it’s that foodservice trends are bound to be seen on retail shelves, especially in the snack aisle.

With innovation growing in pretzels, puffs, crackers, and more, snack brands can’t ignore the prime opportunity to bring both traditional and innovative pizza flavors to their products. Translating trending flavors found in foodservice and consumer mealtime favorites into snacks has proven to be an easy way to pique consumers’ interest and stand out.

Ready to innovate with pizza and pizza flavors? Contact us today to see how we can help!