Substitutes for Red Pepper Flakes

Spices manufactured from dried, crushed red chilli peppers are red pepper flakes. This spice contains a variety of peppers, including jalapenos, anaheims, and serranos, with heat levels ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 SHU.

To red pepper flakes (optional) To add extra spice to the recipe, the peppers are dried and crushed into flakes, then mixed with the seeds.

Cayenne peppers are the most commonly utilised and have the highest percentage in this combo. There are, however, also two or three species of peppers that are utilised in smaller amounts.

Red pepper flakes are used in various foods to enhance flavour while providing a moderate spice. Red pepper flakes can be found in pizza sauce, spaghetti sauces, a variety of soups, stews, vegetables, salads, curries, fried chicken, tacos, baked goods, and a variety of other dishes.

If your recipe says for red pepper flakes and you haven’t any on hand or don’t want your dish to be overly spicy, you can use any of the replacements provided in this article.

Chile de Arbol powder, chilli powder, chilli sauce, chilli paste, habanero powder, gochugaru, hot paprika powder, cayenne pepper powder, chipotle powder, and DIY red pepper flakes are just a few of the options.

Let’s take a closer look at each substitution.

Red Pepper Flakes Substitutes

Red pepper flakes are simple to manufacture at home; grind some dry red chilies until you have red pepper flakes to your liking.

If you don’t want to go to the trouble, you can always use one of the replacements listed in this article, readily accessible in stores.

Chile de Árbol powder

Chile de Arbol peppers are used to make chilli de Arbol powder.

They come in powder, dried, or fresh form and have a brilliant red hue. Chile de Arbol peppers have a higher heat intensity than jalapeno peppers, ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 SHU.

It has a smokey, nutty flavour and is crimson. Even though it’s not as fiery as red pepper flakes, it’s a great replacement. In stews, sauces, soups, rubs, and salsas, use 1/2 teaspoons of chile de Arbol powder instead of 3/4 teaspoons of red pepper flakes.

Cayenne pepper powder

Because these peppers are one of the constituents in red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper powder is one of the best replacements.

However, because cayenne pepper powder is hotter and has a different texture than red pepper flakes, you’ll need to use less to achieve a similar amount of heat in your dish. In sauces, soups, stews, and curries, this powder works well as a substitute for red pepper flakes.

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder in place of 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Chilli powder

Chilli powder is prepared from a combination of dried chilli peppers and spices such as onion powder, cumin, and garlic powder.

Chilli powder has varying degrees of heat depending on the chilli pepper used. If your chilli powder isn’t as spicy as red pepper flakes, use more to attain the same amount of heat in your dish.

To give your food a lovely spicy flavour, two teaspoons of chilli powder can be used for one teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Chilli sauce

Chilli sauce can be mild or fiery. Chilli peppers, sugar, vinegar, and salt are commonly used. Other ingredients, such as garlic, water, or tomatoes, can also be added.

One of the chilli sauces that can substitute for red pepper flakes is Sriracha or Tabasco sauce. Small amounts of chilli sauce can be added to stews, sauces, grilled meats, and soups. They all have varying degrees of heat and can overheat your dish if you use too much.

Gochugaru

In Korean cuisine, gochugaru is a chilli powder. It’s created using dried Korean red chili peppers and has a sweet, spicy, smoky flavour.

Gochugaru has a unique texture and heat intensity. It can be used as a substitute for red pepper flakes in various sauces, dressings, stews, soups, and other meals.

You can use a 1:1 ratio relying on how hot the sauce is. Use lower amounts if the powder is hot.

Chilli paste

Chilli paste is typically prepared from chilli peppers and serves as a sauce foundation, flavouring agent, dipping sauce, and cooking component, among other things.

Chilli paste is available in various flavours, including fermented, spicy, hot, fishy, and sweet. They’re all used to preparing delectable foods. Hot chilli paste can be used in place of red pepper flakes in sauces, soups, noodles, and other meals.

Chilli pastes come in a variety of spiciness intensities. As a result, you should use less of them to ensure that your food has the correct taste without becoming too spicy.

Habanero powder

Habanero chilli powder is prepared from dried and crushed habanero peppers. Habanero chiles have a fruity flavour and a heat level ranging from 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville units.

It’s a little spicier than red pepper flakes. In stews, sauces, soups, and curries, 1/2 teaspoons of habanero powder can be substituted for one teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Hot paprika powder

Dried red hot and sweet peppers are used to make paprika powder. It can be hot, sweet, or smoked, depending on the peppers used in its manufacture. Sauces, marinades, stews, curries, and other dishes will benefit from using hot paprika powder as a substitute for red pepper flakes.

Red pepper flakes are hotter than hot paprika powder. As a result, instead of one teaspoon of red pepper flakes, you can use one tablespoon of spicy paprika powder.

Chipotle powder

Dried jalapeño peppers are used to make chipotle powder. The peppers are ground into a powder with a pleasantly spicy, earthy flavour.

The chipotle powder has a heat rating of 2,500-8,000 SHU and can be used to add colour and a somewhat fiery and smoky flavour to a variety of recipes.

The chipotle powder can replace red pepper flakes in soups, curries, stews, salads, and sauces. You can use two teaspoons of chipotle powder instead of 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes in your meal.

DIY red pepper flakes

You can produce red pepper flakes at home with cayenne, anaheim, and jalapeno peppers. Dry the peppers in the oven or, if you have one, in a dehydrator, then smash them into flakes. You’ll obtain red pepper flakes, which you should keep in an airtight container to keep their flavour.

Red Pepper Flakes Can Be Replaced With A Milder Substitute

The spiciness of red pepper flakes is quite high!

If you prefer milder spices, such as chile de Arbol powder, chipotle powder, or gentler forms of chilli sauce and chilli powder, you can add these instead.

Your recipe will have a little spicy flavour and a gorgeous red colour without being excessively spicy.

Non-Spicy Red Pepper Flakes Substitute

Sweet paprika is the ideal non-spicy option for red pepper flakes since it adds a pleasant smoky-earthy flavour and colour to your food.

Sweet paprika is a condiment created from sweet peppers with stews, rice, soups, and other meals. Red bell peppers can also be used in place of red pepper flakes. Dry the peppers in the oven or dehydrator and grind them to get a lovely red powder.

FAQs.

What can I replace the red pepper flakes with?

Cayenne pepper powder, chilli sauce, chilli powder, spicy paprika powder, habanero powder, or chipotle powder can be used instead of red pepper flakes.

Can I use paprika for red pepper flakes?

You may substitute paprika for red pepper flakes, but use hot paprika if you want a fiery flavor close to red pepper flakes.

Are red pepper flakes the same as cayenne pepper?

Cayenne pepper is not the same as red pepper flakes. On the other hand, red pepper flakes have a high percentage of cayenne pepper.

Can I substitute chilli powder for red pepper flakes?

Chilli powder can be substituted for red pepper flakes. Red pepper flakes are hotter than chili powder. As a result, you’ll need to use more to achieve the same heat level as red pepper flakes.

Spice it up a bit!

If you prefer spicy cuisine, red pepper flakes are a must-have spice.

They’ll add a lovely peppery flavour to your dishes. If you run out of them, though, you can use some of the replacements listed on this page.

Your food may be hotter or milder, but it will have some spicy undertones in any case.