Slice, Slice Baby: America’s Go-To Pizza Toppings
Pizza may be universal, but topping preferences? Very much not. From states that swear by classic pepperoni to places that boldly defend….yup, pineapple. Using search interest, ordering trends, and national pizza data, we looked at what each state reaches for most when pizza night rolls around.
The results are familiar, surprising, and—yes—occasionally controversial.
Illinois (Sausage)
Illinois doesn’t just like sausage on pizza—it commits to it. Thanks largely to Chicago’s deep-dish tradition, sausage takes center stage here, delivering bold, hearty flavor that turns a slice into a full meal rather than a snack.
Texas (Bacon)
True to form, Texas favors bacon. Smoky, indulgent, and bold, it often appears on barbecue-inspired pizzas and consistently beats out traditional toppings statewide, especially when bigger, meatier flavors are involved.
Florida (Pepperoni)
With endless topping combinations available, Florida still lands on pepperoni as its favorite. High delivery volume and group orders help keep this classic firmly on top statewide.
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Tennessee (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni tops pizza orders throughout Tennessee. While the state embraces heat and spice elsewhere, pizza nights tend to stick with familiar classics that never disappoint.
Vermont (Extra Cheese)
Extra cheese taking the top spot in Vermont feels less like a trend and more like destiny. With a deep dairy tradition and no fear of indulgence, locals prefer pizzas that lean rich, gooey, and unapologetically cheesy.
Alabama (Pepperoni)
No surprises here—pepperoni is Alabama’s favorite pizza topping by a comfortable margin. Its salty, slightly spicy bite hits all the right notes for game days, family dinners, and casual nights in. When Alabamians order pizza, they tend to stick with what works.
Hawaii (Pineapple)
Maybe the most controversial pizza topping ever, Hawaii proudly embraces pineapple as its favorite. Sweet-and-savory combinations are deeply ingrained in local food culture, making pineapple a natural fit. It frequently appears alongside ham, creating the famous—or, depending who you ask, infamous—Hawaiian pizza.
California (Mushroom)
In very on-brand fashion, California crowns mushrooms as its favorite pizza topping. Earthy, versatile, and just upscale enough to feel intentional, mushrooms align perfectly with the state’s love of fresh ingredients and plant-forward eating. Bonus points for how well they pair with gourmet cheeses.
Maine (Extra Cheese)
In Maine, extra cheese takes the top spot—and winter may have something to do with it. Rich, gooey pizzas deliver peak comfort, and locals prefer letting the cheese do the heavy lifting rather than piling on toppings.
Alaska (Pepperoni)
In Alaska, pepperoni reigns supreme, and honestly, it makes sense. Bold, hearty, and filling, it’s well-suited for a colder climate where comfort food matters. Pepperoni also pairs perfectly with thicker crusts and extra cheese.
New Mexico (Green Chile)
New Mexico proudly claims green chile as its favorite pizza topping. Deeply woven into local cuisine, it often replaces traditional meats entirely, adding heat and unmistakable regional flavor to every slice.
Oregon (Mushroom)
Oregon favors mushrooms, reflecting a strong preference for fresh, earthy ingredients. Mushroom-topped pizzas are especially popular on thinner crusts and specialty pies throughout the state, often paired with creative cheeses.
Wisconsin (Sausage)
In the Dairy State, sausage takes the lead—often paired with generous cheese. The result is a hearty, comforting slice that fits Wisconsin’s food culture perfectly and feels especially satisfying in colder months.
North Carolina (Bacon)
Bacon leads pizza preferences in North Carolina, tapping into the state’s love of smoky flavors. It often shows up alongside chicken or barbecue-inspired sauces, making it a standout choice for bold pizza fans.
New York (Pepperoni)
While plain cheese slices dominate New York’s reputation, pepperoni is the most popular topping overall. When locals decide to customize, pepperoni is overwhelmingly the first addition.
Pennsylvania (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni reigns supreme in Pennsylvania, even with strong Italian food traditions. Across chains and local shops, it remains the most popular topping statewide.
Arkansas (Pepperoni)
Arkansas keeps its pizza preferences straightforward, with pepperoni comfortably in first place. It’s widely available, endlessly familiar, and easy to please a crowd—especially for casual get-togethers.
Washington (Mushroom)
Washington stands out with mushrooms as its favorite pizza topping. Earthy and fresh, they fit neatly with the state’s appreciation for veggie-forward options, especially on thinner crusts and more ingredient-driven pies.
Iowa (Sausage)
Iowa leans into sausage as its favorite pizza topping, favoring bold flavor and a filling bite. It’s often paired with extra cheese, creating a rich, comforting slice that feels right at home in the Midwest.
South Carolina (Bacon)
Bacon leads pizza preferences in South Carolina, appealing to diners who favor rich, smoky flavors. It consistently outperforms more traditional toppings statewide, especially on hearty, meat-forward pies.
New Hampshire (Extra Cheese)
Extra cheese takes the crown in New Hampshire, leaning into indulgence over variety. Thick layers of cheese turn pizza into a comfort food staple, particularly during colder months when rich meals feel especially welcome.
Arizona (Pepperoni)
Despite Arizona’s reputation for bold flavors and heat, pizza orders stay classic. Pepperoni leads statewide, beating out veggie and specialty toppings with ease. It’s a reliable option for delivery-heavy nights—especially for quick weeknight meals.
Minnesota (Sausage)
Minnesota favors sausage, especially when temperatures drop. Its rich, savory flavor makes pizza feel more substantial, turning a few slices into a full comfort meal many locals prefer.
Nevada (Pepperoni)
In Nevada—especially Las Vegas—pepperoni dominates pizza orders. Late-night delivery and large group meals keep this classic topping firmly in the lead year after year.
Georgia (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni dominates Georgia’s pizza scene, edging out bacon and sausage. It’s versatile, crowd-friendly, and works for just about any occasion—from casual dinners to watch parties.
Missouri (Sausage)
Sausage claims the top spot in Missouri, particularly around St. Louis. Its bold seasoning and hearty bite help it edge out pepperoni, especially on thicker crusts.
Michigan (Pepperoni)
Despite Detroit-style pizza’s many creative variations, pepperoni still leads statewide. It pairs perfectly with thick crusts and square slices, helping it hold onto its top spot.
North Dakota (Sausage)
Sausage tops the list in North Dakota, offering a hearty, satisfying option well-suited to colder weather. Its bold flavor helps it edge out pepperoni statewide.
Indiana (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni tops the list in Indiana, especially in suburban areas. It’s the most commonly ordered topping from chains and local shops alike, proving familiarity goes a long way.
Connecticut (Pepperoni)
For a state famous for pizza excellence, Connecticut still turns to pepperoni most often. Even with a strong cheese-slice culture, pepperoni is the go-to add-on when residents customize.
Maryland (Pepperoni)
Maryland may be famous for seafood, but pizza night tells a different story. Pepperoni is the most popular topping statewide, offering a familiar alternative to experimental options.
Massachusetts (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni edges out mushrooms and sausage in Massachusetts, making it the most popular topping overall. Whether ordered in the city or suburbs, it remains the default favorite.
Montana (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni leads pizza preferences across Montana, thanks to its familiarity and broad appeal. It works just as well in small towns as it does in larger cities.
Nebraska (Sausage)
Nebraska continues the Midwest trend by favoring sausage. It’s filling, flavorful, and often paired with generous amounts of cheese, making it ideal for hearty group orders.
New Jersey (Pepperoni)
In a state full of pizza opinions, pepperoni still comes out on top. Despite fierce competition from sausage and specialty meats, pepperoni remains the most searched topping statewide.
Oklahoma (Sausage)
Sausage edges ahead in Oklahoma, particularly in search interest. Its robust seasoning and filling texture make it a popular alternative to pepperoni for many diners.
Ohio (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni dominates Ohio’s pizza scene, from college towns to suburbs. It’s consistently the most ordered topping, proving its universal appeal.
Rhode Island (Pepperoni)
Despite its deep Italian influence, Rhode Island still leans toward pepperoni. It’s the most searched topping statewide and a frequent addition to traditional pies.
South Dakota (Sausage)
South Dakota favors sausage, continuing the Midwest pattern. Its hearty flavor and filling bite make it a popular choice for casual meals and group orders.
Utah (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni dominates Utah’s pizza preferences, especially for family-friendly orders. Its familiar flavor and wide appeal keep it firmly in the top spot.
Virginia (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni leads pizza searches and orders across Virginia. Its versatility and crowd-pleasing flavor help it remain the most popular choice statewide.
West Virginia (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni tops the list in West Virginia, beating out specialty toppings by a wide margin. Simple, familiar flavors continue to dominate pizza orders statewide.
Wyoming (Pepperoni)
Wyoming keeps pizza preferences classic, with pepperoni firmly in the top spot. Especially in smaller towns, familiar flavors dominate orders when consistency matters most.
Colorado (Pepperoni)
Colorado sticks with pepperoni as its top pizza topping, especially for delivery orders. It works just as well on thin crusts as it does on heartier pies, making it an easy favorite across cities and mountain towns alike. When pizza night rolls around, pepperoni keeps things simple and satisfying.
Delaware (Pepperoni)
Delaware doesn’t overthink pizza toppings. Pepperoni leads in searches and orders, offering a familiar, dependable flavor that works every time. It’s the kind of choice that pleases everyone at the table—and that’s exactly why it stays on top statewide.
Idaho (Pepperoni)
Idaho keeps pizza preferences comfortably familiar, with pepperoni leading the way. It’s a reliable choice across both rural and urban areas, especially for takeout and family meals. When in doubt, pepperoni delivers—and rarely disappoints anyone at the table.
Kansas (Sausage)
Sausage edges out pepperoni in Kansas, offering a heartier option many diners prefer. Pizza orders here tend to stay traditional, and sausage fits perfectly into that comfort-first mindset. Bold, filling slices win out over lighter toppings.
Kentucky (Pepperoni)
Pepperoni dominates Kentucky’s pizza preferences, showing up consistently at the top of search and ordering data. It’s dependable, familiar, and hard to argue with—exactly the kind of topping that earns long-term loyalty across the state.
Louisiana (Pepperoni)
Even in a state known for bold and complex cuisine, pizza orders stay surprisingly classic. Pepperoni leads Louisiana’s topping preferences, proving that sometimes simple comfort beats culinary flair when it comes to pizza night.
Mississippi (Pepperoni)
Mississippi keeps things simple when it comes to pizza, with pepperoni topping the list statewide. It’s consistently popular across regions and age groups, making it the safest—and most ordered—choice. When pizza night rolls around, familiar flavors win, and pepperoni delivers exactly what people expect.
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