My husband and I have been married a little over 15 years, and in that time I have learned a lot about love and life. I mean this in absolute sincerity when I say that Chili Oil is more than a condiment for him. It is also a love language and a lifestyle. If you know someone who is also drawn to the flame icons next to the entrée names on restaurant menus, I'd highly recommend making them a batch of this Homemade Chili Oil as a little gift. It's super easy to make, and just like our marriage, it gets even better with time.
What's in Homemade Chili Oil?
This is my version of Crispy Szechuan Chili Oil. While there are dozens of different ingredients that you may find in various chili oil recipes, we like the simplicity of the combination of garlic, szechuan chili flakes, szechuan peppercorns, salt, and a little drizzle of maple syrup (sugar is fine too). If you don’t care for the crispy texture from toasting the garlic and chili flakes, feel free to strain the oil after it has cooled.
Oil- The oil itself needs to be one that has a relatively high scorch point, so canola oil is a good option that you probably already have at home.
Szechuan Chili Flakes- The level of spiciness in your homemade chili oil is going to vary based on the type of peppers you use. We use Szechuan chili flakes which are what I would consider a medium heat level. They're available online and in many imported foods stores. Feel free to use a hotter pepper if you prefer. Flavor and spice-level will intensify a bit with time, so for best results let sit for a day before using.
Thank you for supporting my small business. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Szechuan Peppercorns- These peppercorns add another layer of heat and flavor. You can find them on Amazon, or I've also purchased them at World Market. For best results, toast them in a dry skillet for about a minute before grinding them.
Optional add-ins- I don't typically include these, but they're very common so feel free to take inspiration to make your homemade chili oil exactly to suit your tastes. Common additions to chili oil are star anise, dried bay leaves, toasted sesame seeds, ginger, chopped peanuts, and shallots.
What do you use Homemade Chili Oil for?
This is a very simple recipe to make, with minimal prep. Use it as a condiment to add a punch of flavor to just about anything—pizza, rice, noodles, eggs, etc. One of my personal favorite uses for homemade chili oil is in Sesame Noodles. My husband on the other hand, he puts it on everything except for cereal.
Homemade Chili Oil
This is a very simple recipe to make, with minimal prep. Use it as a condiment to add a punch of flavor to just about anything—pizza, rice, noodles, eggs, etc.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 ½ cups 1x
- Category: condiments
Ingredients
1 ½ cups canola oil
8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup Szechuan chili flakes (We use these.)
1 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorns, toasted then finely ground
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup or granulated sugar
Instructions
Toast the peppercorns in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute until fragrant. Transfer to a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder and grind them until fine.
In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, combine the oil, garlic, chili flakes, and peppercorns and heat until bubbling. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a simmer until garlic is golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the salt and maple syrup.
Let cool and transfer to airtight container for up to 3 months. Stir well before using.
Notes
Optional add-ins: Star anise, dried bay leaves, toasted sesame seeds, ginger, chopped peanuts, and shallots are all commonly included in crispy chili oil. Feel free to adjust to suit your tastes.
Keywords: szechuan chili oil, homemade chili oil, crispy chili oil
Comments
No Comments