- Prep-time: / Ready In:
- Makes ¾ cup
- Serving size: ¼ teaspoon
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Looking for some instant zing? You may have already heard of chili crisp, the Chinese-style chili oil that combines a crunchy mixture of crushed peanuts, ground chiles, and spices. For anyone seeking that bright punch of heat without the oil, this toasted nut and spice blend is the whole-food, plant-based answer. Peanuts (or sunflower seeds, for a nut-free variation), dried chiles, and other aromatic ingredients are toasted in a dry skillet rather than steeped in hot oil, which brings out their flavors and enhances their crunch factor. Keep a jar on the table so everyone can help themselves!
Tips
Creative ways to use chili crisp: Hot and cold noodle dishes, stir-fries, and Asian soups and stews are obvious candidates for a sprinkle of chili crisp. It’s also great on roasted or air-fried veggies, tacos, baked potatoes, bean and grain dishes, avocado toast, or even a frosty scoop of banana or mango nice cream.
For beginners: Start with a large pinch (about ¼ teaspoon) of chili crisp and go from there.
For more inspiration, check out these tasty ideas:
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns
- ½ of a star anise pod (optional)
- ¼ cup unsalted roasted peanuts or sunflower seeds
- 3 tablespoons dried minced shallots
- 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon gochugaru (Korean chili powder), ground Aleppo pepper, or ground guajillo pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Using a spice or coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle, grind the Szechuan peppercorns and star anise to a fine powder. Add peanuts; grind until nuts are finely chopped but not powdered.
- Transfer mixture to a small skillet. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Heat over medium 3 to 4 minutes or until peanuts and spices are toasted and fragrant, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; let mixture cool in skillet. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place up to 3 months.
Per serving (¼ teaspoon): 2 calories, 0.2 g carbohydrates, 0.1 g protein, 0.1 g total fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 4.3 mg sodium, 0.1 g fiber, 0 g sugar
Note: Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only.
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