Jun 18, 2020

Easy Chili Crisp Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Easy chili crisp recipe with crispy onions, garlic, red pepper flakes. Spoon over dumplings, noodles, rice, roasted vegetables and ramen.
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I have been putting this spicy chili crisp on EVERYTHING. The chili oil laced with pieces of crispy onions, garlic, red pepper flakes pairs perfectly with everything from dumplings, noodles, rice, roasted vegetables, to ramen and other soups and more.

Easy Chili Crisp Recipe

What is chili crisp?

This chili crisp recipe is based on my favorite crispy chili oil from the brand Lao Gan Ma (the original chili crisp). I realized that I use so much of it, that I really need to start making my own! There are plenty of variations on chili crisp – some made with sliced garlic, some with sichuan peppercorns, others with fresh sliced green onion or soybeans. Holy Tshili combines Chinese and Jewish flavors with their everything bagel chili crisp.

I have another similar chili crisp recipe on my site here which includes Sichuan peppercorns and spices. While this recipe is more onion forward, the other recipe is more garlic heavy. This recipe focuses more on the crispy texture of the sauce used with freeze-dried garlic and onions which remain crispy in the sauce over time.

Easy Crispy Chili Oil

Key ingredients in this recipe

  • Dried garlic – Rather than frying garlic, I use dried garlic in this recipe because it’s gone through a process where all the water is removed so it remains crispy even as the sauce sits over a long period of time. Find freeze dried (also referred to as dried) onions and garlic in the spice aisle of most grocery stores.
  • Dried onions – As with the garlic I also use dried onions in this recipe. They are used in addition to fresh shallots which are fried in the oil. This is because it remains crispy longer and adds more texture to the chili crisp.
  • Vegetable oil – Vegetable oil is a neutral oil meaning it doesn’t have its own flavor. As a result it doesn’t overpower the other flavors in this dish. You can also use another oil like soybean oil or canola oil.
  • Shallots – Shallots have a mild, slightly sweet flavor. If needed yellow or red onion can be swapped in. The general rule of thumb is 3 medium shallots equal 1 medium onion.
  • Red pepper flakes – The spice from this recipe comes from the red pepper flakes simmered with the oil. As a result of it simmering in the oil it becomes infused with spicy flavor.
  • Paprika – The paprika adds a deeper red color to the sauce. It can be omitted if needed.

How to make chili crisp

  1. Chop the dried ingredients. Add the dried onions and garlic to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment (or a mortar and pestle) and pulse until roughly chopped.
  2. Fry the shallots. Add the vegetable oil and shallots to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are crispy and golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  3. Stir in the spices. Remove from heat and stir in the red pepper, dried onion and garlic mixture, salt and paprika.
  4. Let cool and store. Let cool completely and add to a resealable glass jar or container and store, refrigerated for up to 1 month.
Easy chili crisp recipe

What can I use this with?

This recipe is extremely versatile. I recommend generously spooning it over roasted vegetables to amp up the flavor or over simple noodles dishes or even instant ramen. Try adding it over these recipes:

Easy Chili Crisp Recipe

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Serves 1 cup

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons dried onions
  • 3 tablespoons dried garlic
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 medium shallots, diced
  • 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions:

  • Add the dried onions and garlic to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment (or a mortar and pestle) and pulse until roughly chopped.
  • Add the vegetable oil and shallots to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are crispy and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the red pepper, dried onion and garlic mixture, salt and paprika.
  • Let cool completely and add to a resealable glass jar or container and store, refrigerated for up to 1 month.

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