1. Peas
Peas are a fine addition to soups and salads, but they have absolutely no business on a pizza, even though, according to Matthew Wilson from Mashed, some people insist in using them. Their texture is all wrong—tiny, firm, and awkwardly rolling around instead of blending into the rest of the toppings. Unlike melty cheese or crispy pepperoni, peas stay separate, creating unexpected bursts of cold, sweet greenness that feel completely out of place.
Beyond their strange texture, peas also fail to complement the traditional flavors of pizza. Their mild sweetness clashes with the tangy tomato sauce, and they lack the rich or savory depth needed to enhance the overall experience. Instead of blending into the dish, they stand out in the worst way possible—each bite feeling more like a mistake than a culinary experiment.
2. Marshmallows
Marshmallows on pizza? That’s a disaster waiting to happen. While they’re great in hot chocolate or toasted over a fire, their soft, sugary nature is an absolute mismatch for a savory pizza. Instead of adding an interesting contrast, they melt into an unappetizing, sticky mess, although according to Barney Desmazery from GoodFood, it might be a nice project for kids.
The worst part is the overwhelming sweetness. Pizza is meant to have a balance of flavors—rich cheese, tangy sauce, and a satisfying crunch from the crust. Marshmallows disrupt that completely, turning what should be a comforting, hearty meal into something that tastes like a failed attempt at dessert.
3. Chocolate
You heard that right—chocolate. As much as we love a good chocolate dessert, mixing it with cheese and tomato sauce is a step too far. The gooey sweetness clashes with the tangy, savory notes of the pizza base, creating a combination that’s better left for the dessert menu (if you must).
4. Banana
Banana on pizza is a baffling idea that should have never left the brainstorming phase, but according to Jessica Kelly from Smithsonian Magazine, it did. The mushy texture of the fruit completely ruins the crispiness of the crust, making each slice an unappealing blend of soft and soggy. Bananas are naturally sweet, and that sugary profile feels out of sync with the bold, savory flavors of cheese and tomato sauce.
Beyond the textural nightmare, the flavor clash is impossible to ignore. The gentle, tropical taste of banana doesn’t stand a chance against the strong umami flavors of a pizza. Instead of enhancing the dish, it turns the entire experience into something more reminiscent of a bad fruit experiment than a satisfying meal.
5. Pineapple
Ah, pineapple—the most divisive pizza topping of all time. While some people swear by the sweet-and-savory contrast, others argue that fruit has no place on pizza, Melissa Gaman from The Kitchn explains. The biggest issue with pineapple is how overpowering it can be, drowning out the flavors of the sauce, cheese, and other toppings with its intense sweetness and juicy texture.
It also creates a moisture problem. Pizza is meant to have a firm crust, but pineapple releases liquid as it bakes, leading to a slightly soggy result. If you love pineapple, it’s best enjoyed on its own or in a tropical dish—not as an intrusive presence on an otherwise delicious pizza.
6. Canned Sardines
Sardines are already a tough sell for many people, and tossing them on a pizza only makes things worse. Unlike other salty toppings like olives or anchovies, sardines bring an intense, fishy aroma that dominates every other ingredient. Instead of enhancing the flavors, they take over completely, making each bite an overwhelmingly briny experience.
The texture doesn’t help either. Sardines tend to be mushy rather than pleasantly chewy, which clashes with the firm crust and gooey cheese. If you’re craving seafood on a pizza, there are far better choices—shrimp, smoked salmon, or even a delicate white fish. Sardines, however, should stay in their cans.
7. Licorice
Licorice and pizza should never be mentioned in the same sentence, let alone served together. The sharp, herbal sweetness of licorice is completely at odds with the rich, comforting flavors of a good pizza. Every bite becomes a battle between bold cheese and anise-like intensity, making for a deeply unpleasant eating experience.
The contrast is simply too extreme. Unlike other unique toppings that can occasionally work in small amounts, licorice has a way of hijacking the entire flavor profile of the dish. Instead of complementing the pizza, it overpowers it in the worst possible way, turning what should be a delicious meal into an acquired taste that nobody asked for.
8. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is delicious on toast, in cookies, or even drizzled over ice cream—but on pizza? That’s where we draw the line. The thick, sticky texture doesn’t spread well on a slice, creating an unpleasantly heavy bite. Instead of working with the cheese and sauce, peanut butter coats everything in an overpowering nutty richness that clashes with the other ingredients.
It also ruins the balance of flavors. A good pizza should have layers of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet notes, but peanut butter dominates everything in an unwelcome way. Rather than enhancing the dish, it turns every bite into a dense, confusing mouthful that feels completely out of place.
9. Raw Onion
Caramelized onions can add a lovely sweetness to pizza, but raw onions? That’s a different story. Their sharp, pungent bite is far too aggressive, completely overwhelming the more delicate flavors of the cheese and sauce. Instead of blending into the dish, raw onions stand out in an unpleasant, overpowering way.
To make matters worse, they leave behind a lingering aftertaste that overstays its welcome. A good pizza should be enjoyable from the first bite to the last, but raw onions make sure you’re still tasting them hours later. If onions must be included, they should be cooked down for a more balanced, mellow flavor.
10. Anchovies
Anchovies have been a controversial topping for decades, and for good reason. Their intense saltiness and strong fishy taste tend to overshadow everything else on a pizza. Instead of adding a complementary savory note, they completely dominate the flavor profile, making it hard to enjoy anything else.
Even their texture can be off-putting. While some toppings provide a pleasant chewiness, anchovies have a soft, almost mushy consistency that doesn’t pair well with a crispy crust. Unless you’re a die-hard fan of ultra-salty seafood, anchovies are best left off the pizza.
11. Pudding
Pudding on pizza sounds like something that was created on a dare. The thick, creamy texture doesn’t belong anywhere near a crispy crust, and its sweetness feels completely mismatched with the savory elements of the dish. Instead of adding a unique contrast, pudding turns the pizza into a confused, unappetizing mess.
There’s also the issue of temperature. A warm slice of pizza topped with cold pudding creates an odd sensation that’s neither enjoyable nor practical. Some food experiments pay off—but this isn’t one of them.
12. Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is a refreshing snack, but on a pizza, it’s a recipe for disaster. The combination of juicy fruits and melted cheese creates an odd, watery texture that ruins the crust. No one wants a pizza that’s both mushy and soggy at the same time.
The mix of flavors is just as bad. Pineapple is already controversial, but adding an entire fruit salad—grapes, melons, berries—turns every bite into an unpredictable gamble. Some things are better left separate, and pizza and fruit salad are definitely among them.
13. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is fantastic for sushi, stir-fries, and rice dishes, but it doesn’t belong on pizza. Its intense saltiness throws off the balance of flavors, making the whole dish taste overwhelmingly briny. Instead of enhancing the pizza, it turns it into an unintentional fusion experiment gone wrong.
It also affects the texture in an unappealing way. Drizzling liquid soy sauce over pizza makes the crust soggy and dilutes the richness of the cheese. If you want an umami boost, stick to ingredients like mushrooms or parmesan—not soy sauce.
14. Ice Cream
Hot pizza and cold ice cream? That’s a texture and temperature clash that nobody asked for. The contrast between a warm, crispy crust and a rapidly melting scoop of ice cream is just too jarring. Instead of enjoying a satisfying bite, you’re left with a confusing mix of hot and cold, creamy and chewy.
Beyond the awkward contrast, the flavors don’t mix well either. Ice cream is meant to be sweet and smooth, while pizza thrives on its savory, cheesy goodness. Combining the two only results in a sticky, melted mess that ruins both.
