Infero Chili Crunch
A bold, complex chili crunch built on three types of heat — gochugaru, crushed red pepper, cayenne, and chipotle — with two types of garlic, sesame, and mushroom powder for umami depth. The oil temperature is the technique that determines everything.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup avocado oil or grapeseed oil
- 3 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons gochugaru Korean red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon crispy fried garlic
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon mushroom powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Heat the avocado oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until it reaches approximately 275°F. Do not allow the oil to smoke.
- In a heatproof bowl, combine the crushed red pepper flakes, gochugaru, dried garlic, crispy fried garlic, onion, sesame seeds, smoked paprika, cayenne, chipotle powder, mushroom powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Carefully pour the hot oil over the spice mixture and stir well. Allow it to bloom for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce until fully incorporated.
- Allow the chili crunch to cool completely before transferring it to a clean half-pint mason jar.
- Storage
- Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- Stir before each use.
Notes
Use a thermometer — 275°F is the target, not a range. Avocado or grapeseed oil for high smoke point. Gochugaru is not a direct substitute for crushed red pepper — buy it specifically. Crispy fried garlic is pre-cooked — do not substitute fresh garlic. Stir once after pouring oil, then leave undisturbed 5 minutes for bloom. Finishing ingredients (sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce) go in after bloom, not before. Cool completely before jarring. Refrigerate up to 1 month. Stir before each use — spices settle. Heat mellows after 2-3 days.
Want even more heat? Add 1 teaspoon ghost pepper flakes or ½ teaspoon Carolina Reaper powder (use sparingly).
Stir into mayonnaise for a fiery sandwich spread.
Spoon over cream cheese for an easy appetizer.
Toss with roasted potatoes or Brussels sprouts.
Drizzle over grilled meats just before serving.
Stir into mayonnaise for a fiery sandwich spread.
Spoon over cream cheese for an easy appetizer.
Toss with roasted potatoes or Brussels sprouts.
Drizzle over grilled meats just before serving.