Favourite Mediterranean Pizza Toppings

Mediterranean pizza is a unique style of pizza that features toppings inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. This includes ingredients like artichokes, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and more on top of a pizza crust. Mediterranean pizzas are popular for their fresh and flavourful tastes. The ingredients are also extremely versatile, allowing chefs to experiment with a variety of unique combinations. This means that with a few customisations, Mediterranean pizzas can cater to a diverse range of preferences.

If you’re a pizza lover looking for the best pizza topping ideas or a unique style to try, you're in the right place. In this article, we will explore what makes Mediterranean pizzas special and the best toppings you should try for a delicious meal.

What Makes Mediterranean Pizza Special?

Mediterranean pizzas stand out for their use of fresh and high-quality ingredients. Compared to traditional American-style pizzas, which often contain heavy cheese and processed ingredients, Mediterranean pizzas feature lighter, healthier toppings like olive oil, fresh herbs, and lean meats. The dough is also typically thinner and crispier, providing the perfect base for highlighting aromatic and bold flavours.

Best Mediterranean Pizza Toppings

One of the best things about Mediterranean pizza is the variety of fresh and flavourful options for toppings. Instead of the usual heavy cheeses and processed meats, Mediterranean pizzas typically include vibrant ingredients like fresh vegetables, briny olives, aromatic herbs, and light cheeses. Here are some of the best pizza toppings you should add to your next Mediterranean pizza:

Classic Mediterranean Toppings

1. Feta Cheese

Feta cheese, known for its creamy yet crumbly texture and rich flavour, is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine. When baked into a pizza, it softens just enough to blend its flavour profiles with other toppings and ingredients, while still maintaining its characteristic texture. A bit of creamy and salty feta to die-for in any Mediterranean pizza.

2. Kalamata Olives

These dark purple, briny olives are a popular topping choice because of their bold, umami-like flavours. The tangy and salty profile of kalamata olives is the perfect topping to balance the creamy texture of feta cheese, adding a sharp punch to each slice.

3. Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Concentrated in flavour through a drying process, sun-dried tomatoes can bring a sweet and slightly tangy touch to your next Mediterranean pizza. The concentrated sugars in sun-dried tomatoes also caramelise during the baking process, creating a sweet flavour profile that balances savoury toppings like olives and feta.

4. Red Onions

With their vibrant colour and sharp flavour, red onions can add a visually appealing and refreshing contrast to the richness of other Mediterranean toppings. When raw and sliced thinly, they add a crisp and zesty element to the pizza. When cooked, they soften and release a hint of subtle sweetness that can cut through the richness of cheese and olives.

5. Roasted Garlic

Roasted garlic can transform any Mediterranean pizza with its bold and rich aromatic flavour. Unlike raw garlic, which can be pungent and sharp, roasted garlic has a sweet and slightly nutty taste. It also adds a creamy, almost buttery texture to Mediterranean pizza that perfectly complements other ingredients.

Mediterranean Vegan Pizza Toppings

If you’re following a vegan diet, here are some of the vegan pizza topping ideas to try out:

1. Artichokes

Artichokes, whether marinated or grilled, add a delicate and tangy flavour to Mediterranean pizzas. Their tender yet meaty texture, along with the ability to blend with and enhance the freshness of other toppings, makes them a great choice for plant-based pizzas.

Artichokes also offer a variety of health benefits, including support for liver health, reducing cholesterol levels, a large amount of antioxidants and benefits for digestive health.

2. Grilled Zucchini

Lightly grilled zucchini slices provide a light, fresh and slightly smoky flavour that enhances the overall taste of a Mediterranean pizza. Its soft texture and mild flavour allow it to absorb seasonings, adding depth and freshness to every bite.

Grilled zucchini is also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, supports healthy digestion and can help with weight management due to its high fibre content.

3. Hummus Drizzle

A drizzle of hummus can take any Mediterranean pizza and transform it into an experience. Made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic, hummus is a creamy and protein-packed alternative to cheese. Its richness balances out the tangy flavours of other topics, while its moist texture adds a savoury touch.

Its high protein, fibre and healthy fat content also make it a nutritious and versatile topping that can improve digestion, heart health and blood sugar management.

4. Rocket

Fresh rocket can either be added before baking or as a final topping after the pizza comes out of the oven. Its vibrant green leaves add a pop of colour and a garden-fresh flavour to any pizza.

Rocket also offers a variety of health benefits, including high amounts of antioxidants and Vitamins A, C and K, which can improve bone and heart health.

Recommended Spots to Try the Best Mediterranean Pizza

A Mediterranean-style pizza can be a delicious treat to enjoy with friends and family on your next outing. It is a delicious combination of fresh flavours and toppings like vegetables, herbs and cheeses. They can also be customised to fit vegan diners.

If you’re looking for the best place to try a mouthwatering Mediterranean pizza, ECQ Shopping Centre has something for everyone. Whether you prefer a traditional take or a customised, vegan version, at restaurants like Middle East Feast and Tasty Manoush and Pizza, you can add extra ingredients or mix and match different toppings. You can even pick your own choice of sauces!

FAQs

1. What is the difference between Mediterranean pizza and other pizza?
Mediterranean pizza usually features fresh, tangy ingredients and unique sauces inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. They usually include a lighter crust and toppings like olives, feta cheese, fresh herbs and hummus, unlike traditional cheese-heavy pizzas.

2. Are Mediterranean pizza toppings healthy?
Mediterranean toppings for pizza can be very healthy. They usually align with the Mediterranean diet, including fresh vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats.

3. What cheeses are best for Mediterranean pizza?
An authentic Mediterranean pizza usually includes a combination of mozzarella, feta, goat cheese and parmesan. This creates a balanced flavour profile that complements other types of toppings.