6 Creative Ways to Use Chili Crisp to Level Up Your Everyday Meals
By now, you’ve likely heard of chili crisp—a spicy, crunchy, and savory oil-based condiment usually packed in artfully designed jars. If you haven’t yet tried it yourself, you’ve probably at least encountered it on TikTok, where tons of creators have been posting drool-worthy clips and dousing the red-speckled sauce on everything from noodles to ice cream.
The highly stanned condiment packs an array of tasty ingredients like chili peppers, various oils, garlic, shallots, and spices like mushroom powder, ginger, seaweed, and Sichuan pepper. Though it’s been used in China for centuries, it only really started to pop up in stores across the US over the past few decades, Jing Gao, founder and CEO of the chili crisp brand Fly By Jing and author of The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp, tells SELF. Then, during the pandemic, its popularity really surged here, when home cooks started experimenting with the sauce as a way to shake up their meals, she explains.
“Chili crisp became an easy and delicious way to add a spicy, umami twist to any dish,” Gao says. She’s been scooping the condiment onto meals since she was a child, eating it on foods like pizza, tacos, mango, or her favorite—fried chicken.
You don’t need to be a cooking pro, though, to mix it into your meals—but you just may need a little help figuring out the best way to do so. Whether you’re looking to use up a jar sitting in your fridge or have been eyeing one at the grocery store, we’re here to help you make the most of it. Here are a few ideas from Gao on how to best enjoy the condiment in surprising and delicious ways—plus a few chili crisp recipes to put the sauce to work.
The spicy and umami flavors in chili crisp make it a great addition as a finishing sauce on noodles and pasta because they help with brightening up dishes, Gao says. And it works well on all kinds: Try it on soba noodles, vermicelli, rice noodles, spaghetti, rigatoni, macaroni and cheese, or even lasagna, she says. The more you scoop, the higher the heat.
Who doesn’t love a sweet and spicy duo? The next time you start a baking project, consider tossing in some chili crisp for an extra flavor boost, Gao says. If you’re stuck on what to add it to, try mixing it into anything with chocolate, she says. That’s because the earthiness of the condiment pairs deliciously with cocoa flavors. Throw a scoop into a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough, cake batter, or your favorite brownie recipe. Since the sauce is packed with so many spices, you don’t have to worry about accidentally cooking the heat off—there will still be plenty even after it bakes.
Not sure how to season a dressing or marinade? Chili crisp to the rescue! If you’re going the marinade route, try mixing the sauce with aged black vinegar for a perfect pairing of tangy and umami, Gao says. Remember, the spicier you like your meal, the more time you need to let the sauce soak into proteins or veggies before you get cooking. When it comes to using it as a dressing, try spooning it straight out the jar to flavor up some arugula—the peppery taste of the greens complements the Sichuan pepper and garlic in the chili crisp, she explains.
The next time you make a zero-proof drink, add a couple of drops of chili crisp to heat up your libation. A small amount goes a long way, so if you only have a bit left in your jar, this might be an amazing way to use it up. You only need about ¼ tsp. to 1 tsp. per mocktail, Gao says. The spicy condiment tastes great with non-alcoholic palomas or margaritas because the bitterness, heat, and sweetness balance each other. If you’re looking for a way to make your beverage extra pretty, too, consider grounding up some Sichuan pepper and salt and crafting a rim, she says. Cheers!
There are two genius ways to sneak chili crisp into your next sammy, Gao says. The first: Mix it into an aioli—use a two-to-one ratio of mayo to chili crisp—and slather onto your bread to add moisture and seasoning. You can also craft a flavored spread by mixing a two-to-one ratio of fat (like butter or coconut oil) and the condiment, she says. Once you create the spicy combo, you can spread it on toast, bagels or whichever base you like for your sandwiches.
Level up your ice cream by tossing in some chili crisp to give it a sweet, salty, and umami flavor, Gao says. If you’re super invested in this idea of a spicy-sweet sundae, try spooning it into the ice cream you’re making from scratch. Twirl some of the chili crisp into the batter so that after it freezes, you can bask in the beauty of the red-hued swirls, she explains.
Want a little less prep work? You can also get creative by mixing it in your toppings—yes, even with whipped cream, she says.
Okay, now that you’ve got the general deets on how to use up your jar of chili crisp, read on to the spicy recipes for more specifics!
Lisa Kitahara via Okonomi Kitchen1Chili Crisp Chocolate Chip Cookies from Okonomi Kitchen
Adding a tablespoon or two of chili crisp into your chocolate chip cookie dough can amp up the flavor with some sweet and spicy notes.
Get the recipe here.
Stephanie Le via I Am A Food Blog2Spicy Chili Crisp Grilled Cheese from I Am A Food Blog
This recipe proves that mixing chili crisp into sandwiches doesn’t have to be complicated. After browning your toast with butter, layer on some cheddar cheese and slather on the condiment for a spicy finish.
Get the recipe here.
Caroline Phelps via Pickled Plum3Garlic Shrimp With Chili Crisp from Pickled Plum
You only need four ingredients—chili crisp, mayo, sriracha, and soy sauce—to make the delicious sauce that coats the shrimp in this recipe. Serve these prawns on a delicious bed of fluffy rice to soak up that smoky, spicy, and garlicky flavor.
Get the recipe here.
Georgia Freedman via Simply Recipes4Smashed Cucumber Salad With Dark Vinegar and Chili Crisp from Simply Recipes
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Chelsea Kyle. Prop Styling by Amy Elise Wilson at Laird and Good Company. Food Styling by Drew Aichele at Pat Bates & Associates.5Pasta With Greens and Cream Sauce via SELF
For those nights when you’re not in the mood to make an elaborate meal but still want something delicious, turn to this creamy pasta recipe packed with spicy chili crisp and tender greens. You can customize this recipe by adding all sorts of produce, like kale, spinach, or bok choy.
Get the recipe here.
Myo Quinn via Simply Recipes6Noodles With Cucumbers and a Lot of Chili Crisp from Simply Recipes
Grab some soba noodles along with the spicy condiment when you’re craving a quick and flavorful lunch. This recipe is great because it only requires a scoop of chili crisp to form the delicious pasta sauce.
Get the recipe here.
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