Des

Hey! I'm Des!

Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

Read more »

Hot Chili Oil

Hot Chili Oil is a staple in my kitchen and it’s crazy easy to make on your own.  Make some today and use in all of your favorite spicy Asian recipes. 

If you have been following the blog for a while, it is no secret that I love spicy food. Anything and everything I can add a kick to I will. Even when I was pregnant, I ate a jar a of Mrs. Renfros Habanero Salsa every week. I’ve been eating Spicy Pepper Steak since I was two and any time I can drizzle hot chili oil over something, I will.

I have taken a crack at making hot sauce before. My habanero hot sauce is a great to add to tacos or steak. But when it comes to Asian dishes, Hot Chili Oil is where it’s at.

Hot Chili Oil is a staple in my kitchen and it's crazy easy to make on your own.  Make some today and use in all of your favorite spicy Asian recipes. 

What is hot chili oil?

Hot chili oil is a condiment popular in China and East and Southeast Asia. It is an oil, such as vegetable, that is infused with hot chili peppers.

I use hot chili oil when I make Shrimp and Pork Wontons in Spicy Sauce and pretty much any stir fry. But, despite using it so much, I have only tried to make it a few times. The first couple of times weren’t very successful so I didn’t try again until recently. And I’m SO glad I gave it another go.

Hot Chili Oil is a staple in my kitchen and it's crazy easy to make on your own.  Make some today and use in all of your favorite spicy Asian recipes. 

How to make hot chili oil:

  1. What kind of oil do you use? You want to use a really mild tasting oil. Vegetable or Canola is perfect for this.
  2. Keep the oil at 225 – 235 degrees. I find that if the oil gets much hotter than that the aromatics and chili peppers start to burn.
  3. Traditional hot chili oil recipes call for Sichuan chili flakes. Those can be kind of hard to find if you don’t have an Asian market near you. I use Crushed Red Peppers which are very easy to find and taste just as great in this recipe.

How to make hot chili oil.

During my recipe testing, I have made hot chili oil by simmering simply oil and chili peppers together. I have made it by simmering the aromatics and chilies in the oil. And I have made it by simmering the aromatics first, straining the oil and then pouring it over the top of chili flakes. Of all three testing attempts, my favorite was the third. The chili flakes get a toasted flavor by pouring the hot oil over the top, without getting over cooked.

Homemade Hot Chili Oil.

You can use this Homemade Hot Chili Oil in so many recipes. In addition to the shrimp and pork wontons I mentioned above, this chili oil is perfect to use in Quick and Easy Pork Stir Fry. It is also a great condiment to serve alongside spring rolls or anything you just want to give a little kick to.

It's easy to make Homemade Chili Oil! Learn how here. #hotchilioil #chilehead #hotsauce

Hot Chili Oil is a staple in my kitchen and it's crazy easy to make on your own.  Make some today and use in all of your favorite spicy Asian recipes. 

Hot Chili Oil

Hot Chili Oil is a staple in my kitchen and it's crazy easy to make on your own.  Make some today and use in all of your favorite spicy Asian recipes. 
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Condiments
Cuisine Asian
Servings 1 Servings

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 2 star anise
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon szechuan peppercorns
  • 3 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Combine canola oil, star anise, bay leaves, cinnamon and szechuan peppercorns in a skillet over medium heat. Use an instant read thermometer or candy thermometer to make sure the oil stays at 225 - 235 degrees. Simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Strain oil through a fine mesh strainer.
  • Heat oil agin to 225 - 235 degrees.
  • Combine crushed red peppers and sesame seeds in a bowl. Slowly pour oil over the top. Oil may bubble slightly. Mix well.
  • Once oil has cooled, put in an air tight container and store in the refrigerator. Will keep for a few months.
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: Chinese chili oil, hot chili oil, spicy chili oil

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Kylie
    March 3, 2020 at 4:56 am

    5 stars
    If I only have red chili flakes and paprika could this still work to replace the Sichuan pepper flakes? Also can’t wait to make this for some added spice to vegan ramen!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      March 3, 2020 at 1:37 pm

      Hi Kylie! You could replace the szechuan peppercorns with black peppercorns! The only difference between the two is the little mouth tingle that szechuan peppers give. The heat level is the same :)

  • Reply
    Sandra | A Dash of Sanity
    June 28, 2018 at 4:20 am

    5 stars
    I will definitely try this! Looks easy to make!

  • Reply
    Jacque Hastert
    June 27, 2018 at 7:40 am

    5 stars
    I am making this ASAP! It looks AMAZING!

  • Reply
    Sabrina
    June 27, 2018 at 6:17 am

    We do a ton of Asian cooking in our house….so perfect to have homemade and on hand!

  • Reply
    Abeer
    June 27, 2018 at 4:25 am

    5 stars
    My husband will love this oil! All those flavors!

  • Reply
    Melanie Bauer | Melanie Makes
    June 26, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    This sounds amazing! Love that you’ve perfected how to make it yourself!

  • Reply
    I Heart Naptime
    June 26, 2018 at 3:21 pm

    This looks perfect for a stir fry!

  • Reply
    Nutmeg Nanny
    June 26, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    My husband would love this! Thanks for sharing!

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

    Sharing is Caring

    Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!