Updated on April 9th, 2023
Red chili flakes or crushed red pepper flakes are simply dried chili, or cayenne peppers pounded just enough to produce a mixture of flakes, seeds, and ground pepper. They can be used in a variety of recipes to bring a wonderfully spicy heat that elevates meals to new heights (if you’re a spicy food fan).
Red Chili Nutrition Facts
If, however, you don’t have the crushed red pepper flakes that your recipe requires, don’t worry. You most likely have something in your cupboard that can conveniently fill the void.
This article has suggested some suitable options that can add spice to your recipes if you have no red chili flakes to use. Also, take note of the appropriate substitution amounts and methods for the best end results in your recipes.
What are Red Chili Flakes?
Red chili flakes, often called crushed red pepper or red pepper flakes, are a condiment or spice made from dried red chili peppers crushed rather than ground. A variety of capsicum peppers can be used to make red chili flakes, and they are recognized for their spicy intensity. Red chili flakes can be made from red chile peppers (up to four varieties), including jalapenos, serranos, and Anaheim chilies.
The most common peppers used in this condiment are cayenne-type peppers, while commercial makers may utilize a variety of cultivars with Scoville units ranging from 30,000 to 50,000. Frequently, there is a high proportion of seeds in this ingredient, which are thought to hold the greatest spice.
Food manufacturers use red chili flakes in pickling blends, chowders, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, soups, and sausage. They are also popularly used in various recipes, including Italian, Indian, Mexican, and Caribbean cuisines.
Uses of Red Chili Flakes in Recipes
Red chili flakes, also known as crushed red pepper flakes, have become a culinary staple due to their versatility and well-balanced spiciness and. are popular in lots of recipes. They can be used to top pizza, stir-fries, spicy pasta, and a variety of other dishes, and they can also be used to add spice to sauces.
Red chili flakes blend well with many savory recipes, including stews, vegetable curries, pasta, creamy sauces, tomato-based meals, and pizzas. Some other recipes in which they are commonly used include the following:
- Spaghetti with garlic and chili flakes
- Brown sugar chili flank steak
- Red pepper and herb steak rub
- Chili pepper steak
- Spicy steak marinade
- Easy skillet pepper steak with rice
- Red pepper lemon chicken
- Chili flakes dry chicken
- Fried chili pepper chicken
- Roasted red pepper rice
- Pepper fried rice
- Beef chili
- Red chili hot sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
- Chili garlic noodles
- Spicy Thai noodles
Substitutes for Red Chili Flakes
Having an empty bottle of red chili flakes in your cabinet is really worrying, whether you used them all in your previous cooking or forgot to include the spice in your grocery list.
Though it’s important to use the original item in your recipe, it’s also useful to know what can be substituted in place of red pepper flakes, especially if you’re in the process of preparing such a recipe.
The following are convenient substitutes for red chili flakes in recipes that call for them:
McCormick Culinary Ground Cayenne Pepper, 14 oz
Because red chili flakes are manufactured from a mixture of peppers, including cayenne pepper, the ground version of the single ingredient would be a great substitute for red chili flakes. However, crushed cayenne pepper is spicier and more concentrated than flakes (cayenne often comes in a powder, so it packs more punch).
For every 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon of the cayenne powder is recommended as a replacement. Also, because it is powdered, it will not have the same texture as chili flakes. Stews, soups, and curries benefit from the addition of ground cayenne pepper.
Ghost Pepper Habanero Jalapeno Flakes 3 Pack
The ground habanero pepper is another wonderful crushed red pepper flakes option that you might have in your kitchen. Habanero chili peppers, one of the world’s hottest peppers, are used to make this spice. It has a fruity flavor and a heat rating of 150,000 to 300,000 Scoville heat units.
Although the spice, like ground cayenne pepper, lacks the texture of red pepper flakes, it’s still a decent substitute for red pepper flakes—thanks to its heat. To use it as a substitute for red pepper flakes, reduce the habanero powder to half or less of the amount called for in the chili flakes recipe.
The Spice Hunter Paprika, Sweet, Ground, 1.9-Ounce Jar
Although the texture of Paprika is somewhat different from red pepper flakes, this spice is still one of the best options to replace red chili flakes because of its distinct flavor and vibrant color. Because Paprika isn’t particularly spicy, you might want to blend it with another spice to make up for the lack of heat.
When replacing chili flakes with Paprika, use 1 tablespoon of Paprika for every ¼ teaspoon of chili flakes called for in the recipe. Smoked Paprika is also available. However, it has a strong smokey flavor and scent. Avoid this variety of Paprika if you don’t want your food to have a smoked flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes?
Crushed red pepper can be made from a variety of fiery chilies, sometimes more than one in each container, rather than only cayenne chilies. As a result, red pepper flakes are usually milder in flavor than cayenne pepper, though certain varieties are hotter (such as crushed ghost pepper flakes).
Is ground red pepper the same as Paprika?
Ground paprika is made by grinding a variety of peppers, and its flavor can range from sweet to hot. Both ground red pepper and red chili powder are generic spice names that might refer to cayenne pepper or other red chilies.
What are Turkish red pepper flakes?
Turkish pepper flakes, also known as Urfa Biber, are a dried Turkish chili pepper of the Capsicum annuum variety grown in Turkey’s Urfa region. It has a smokey, raisin-like flavor, according to many people. Urfa Biber is a red (chili) pepper that ripens to a dark maroon color.
Conclusion
Red chili flakes come in handy whether you want to add heat to your favorite soups or simply include them in your homemade pizza (among many other recipes!). However, it’s always important to know what substitutes for red chili flakes you may use in their place, especially if you’ve already started cooking and suddenly discover you don’t have any in your spice rack.
Try out one or more of our suggested options the next time you need a good substitute for red chili flakes. They should work just fine to give you the desired effects in your recipes.