Don’t have chili flakes, but want to add some heat to your recipes without running to the store? If you don’t have chili flakes on hand, don’t worry. In this article, you’ll find the 7 best chili flakes substitutes (and red pepper flake substitutes) and how to use them in different dishes. So read on, chili lovers, and learn how to never be without your favorite spice again!
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🤔 What are chili flakes?
Chili flakes are dried and crushed red peppers and are often mistakenly also called red pepper flakes. They are a popular spice used in many cuisines around the world, including Asian, Italian, Mexican, and Thai.
Chili flakes add heat, flavor, and color to dishes. On the scoville scale, they score between 500-1500 scoville heat units. They are often used in sauces like arrabiata spaghetti, dry rubs, chili soups and other savory dishes like stir-fries such as pad Thai, and in pizza sauce.
While choosing chili flakes, it is important to consider the heat level. Some chili flakes are very hot, while others are milder. So, you have to choose according to your taste preference.
In an airtight container, chili flakes can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
👩🍳 Chili flakes vs red pepper flakes
Many people confuse chili flakes and red pepper flakes and consider them the same spice. But they are different. Here are some key differences between chili flakes and red pepper flakes:
- Ingredients. The main difference between chili flakes and red pepper flakes is the type of chili peppers used. Chili flakes are made from one type of chili pepper, while red pepper flakes are made from a variety of different chili peppers.
- Heat level. While both types of flakes are use to make spicy foods, red pepper flakes are hotter than chili flakes. This is due to the different types of chili peppers used to make red pepper flakes.
- Color. Seeds are removed from dried peppers to make chili flakes and this provides a more uniform red color. Red pepper flakes can have a light to dark red color, depending upon the types of peppers used.
🌶 The best chili flakes substitutes
Don’t let the lack of chili or red pepper flakes stop you from cooking your favorite recipes. This list of the 7 best chili flakes substitutes shows how to give your dish the same heat and flavor even if you don’t have any chili flakes in the cupboard. Here you’ll find both common and rarer spices that you can use as chili flakes substitutes. To make sure you get the right spice level, we have also added suggestions for how to substitute each ingredient. So, let’s get started!
1. Red pepper flakes
Red pepper flakes are made of a variety of peppers, including cayenne and poblano. Both ground and crushed red pepper flakes are a great chili flakes substitute if you use them in the right amount. They are super convenient because they are a common ingredient, so they are a great substitute.
They have a bright red color and are hotter than chili flakes. So, if you are using crushed red pepper flakes in a dish that isn’t very spicy, you should add a small amount at first. Then, if required, you can add more red pepper flakes to adjust the heat to your liking.
This works especially well if you’d like to add chili flakes as a seasoning when serving up. For instance, it goes great sprinkled on top of gochujang tofu or veggie chop suey.
Although red pepper flakes are a bit spicier than chili flakes, you can still follow the rule of 1:1 while using red pepper flakes as a chili flakes substitute.
2. Chili powder
Chili powder is a blend of ground chili peppers, typically cayenne, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and onion powder. It is used to add heat and flavor to various dishes, such as fajitas and veggie chili.
Chili powder is typically milder than chili flakes, because it is blended with other spices that reduce the heat. However, when cooking with it, it’s important to remember it needs to be fried off to activate the flavor, rather than adding it to sauces or other recipes at the end.
In addition, chili powder is also a great red pepper flakes substitute.
When using it as a chili flakes substitute, a 1:1 ratio will work for most recipes.
3. Ground cayenne pepper powder
Ground cayenne powder is made from dried and ground cayenne peppers. It has a strong, spicy and concentrated flavor that adds more heat to recipes than chili flakes. Ground cayenne pepper powder is better for incorporating into dishes, but chili or red pepper flakes are better for sprinkling on top of dishes like on this veg fajita bowl.
In terms of flavor, ground cayenne pepper has a more intense, and rich peppery flavor than chili flakes. Due to the concentrated flavor, you should use less cayenne powder than chili flakes.
To use cayenne pepper powder as a substitute for chili flakes, we recommend using ½ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper for 1 teaspoon of chili flakes (1:0.5). This will give you a similar heat level without making your dish too spicy. Cayenne pepper will also work as a red pepper flakes substitute.
4. Blended dried red chili peppers
Another option is to grind dried chili peppers into a fine powder. This will make a homemade red pepper flakes substitute or homemade chili flakes substitute - it works for both.
Blended dried peppers are finer and have a more uniform texture, while chili or red pepper flakes have a coarse and flaky texture. Blended dried chillies will also work well to replace red pepper flakes too.
The heat level of blended dried peppers and chili flakes can also vary depending on the type of chili peppers used to make the dried pepper blend. Blended dried peppers can range from mild to very hot, while chili flakes are typically milder.
This is probably one of the least convenient options though, and will only really work if you already have dried chilies in the cupboard. You'll then need to put them in a food processor to blend them to make them into homemade pepper flakes.
To replace chili flakes in a recipe with blended dried red chili peppers, use ½ teaspoon of blended dried chilies for 1 teaspoon of chili flakes (1:0.5).
5. Chili paste
Chili paste is a thick, smooth paste made from different ground chili peppers, often with other ingredients such as garlic, vinegar, and spices. It is typically used in Asian recipes, but it can also be used in other cuisines. This Indonesian sambal goreng is a great example.
Chili paste is typically added to dishes early in the cooking process, while chili flakes are often added later, just before serving.
Some chili pastes are mild, while others are very hot, depending upon the type of chili peppers used. If the chili paste is mild, you can use it in a 1:1 ratio as a chili flakes substitute. If the chili paste is hot, use less or dilute it with some water or oil.
6. Fresh chilis
Fresh chilis come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and can range in heat level from mild to very hot. Some common types of fresh chilis include jalapenos, serranos, habaneros, and poblanos.
The flavor of fresh chilis is more vibrant and complex than chili flakes. The spice level of fresh chilis can vary depending on the type of fresh chilis used.
Jalapenos are mild, serranos are medium-hot, habaneros are very hot, and poblanos are mild to medium-hot. Chili flakes are also available in a variety of heat levels, but they are generally not as spicy as fresh chilis of the same type.
For 1 teaspoon of chili flakes, you can use ½ teaspoon of fresh chilis (1:0.5). Fresh chilis can also be used as a garnish, to add a fresh and spicy finishing touch to dishes such as curried chickpeas or Szechuan tofu.
7. Hot paprika
Hot paprika is a bright red color, has a slightly smoky flavor and is a fine-textured chili powder, it's often found on the spice rack so could be a convenient option too. The heat level of hot paprika can vary depending on the type of chili peppers used, but it is typically hotter than chili flakes.
However, there is a wide range of spice levels in both hot paprika and chili flakes, so it is important to taste and adjust to your own preference.
To use as a substitute for red pepper chili flakes, use ¼ teaspoon of hot paprika for 1 teaspoon of chili flakes (1:0.25).
🤨 Other alternatives (that we don’t recommend)
We don’t recommend the following alternatives as a chili flake substitute or a red pepper flakes substitute because we tried them and didn’t think they worked very well.
Paprika
We tried regular, smoked and sweet paprika and none of these could provide the exact flavor profile of chili flakes. Paprika is typically mild, while chili flakes can be quite hot. Even the hottest paprika, smoked paprika, is not as hot as chili flakes.
If you are looking for a dish with a lot of heat, paprika will not be a good substitute for red pepper flakes. It primarily adds a deep red colour to dishes, like this vegan goulash. So, we don’t recommend it as a primary substitute for chili flakes.
Hot sauce
Some hot sauces are very mild, while others are extremely hot. Hot sauces, such as sriracha sauce, contain other ingredients besides chili peppers, such as vinegar, garlic, spices, and other flavorings, that can alter the finished dish's flavor. Due to this, we don’t recommend hot sauce as the best chili flakes substitute. However, if it's your only spicy option, it will still work. Just add a few drops and then taste and adjust.
💭 FAQs
No, crushed red pepper and chili flakes aren’t quite the same. Crushed red peppers are made from a mixture of red peppers, while chili flakes are made from a single type of chili pepper. For more details, read about the differences between red pepper flakes and chili flakes in the article above.
Yes, you can use paprika instead of chili flakes, but it will not have the same level of heat as paprika is not as spicy. Cayenne pepper or hot paprika would be a better option.
Yes, you can use chili powder instead of chili flakes. However, it’s important to substitute it in the correct amount to get the exact flavor and color needed for the recipe.
🌟 Summary
We hope this article helped you find some great chili flakes substitutes. To summarise, we recommend red pepper flakes, chili powder, ground cayenne pepper, chili paste, blended dried peppers, fresh chilis and hot paprika.
We don’t recommend hot sauce or paprika as chili or red pepper flakes substitutes because these alternatives may not provide the same flavor profile or heat level as chili flakes.
Chile de arbol powder and chipotle powder can also be used, but as they're not spice rack staples, we don't consider them to be good options.
Are you excited to try any of these chili flakes substitutes? If yes, let us know in the comments below which one you’re going to try first!
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