

Making your own is no great undertaking, but in case you’d rather just pop open a jar, we’ve rounded up some of the best chili crisps according to Bon Appétit staffers, from the pantry staple Chinese home cooks have been using for decades to a modern version you can only buy on Instagram. Some lead with heat others are deeply umami some a little sweet, and all elevate eggs, noodles, tacos, and fried chicken sandwiches. With a base of chiles fried in hot oil, every version of chili crisp is made with a different permutation of fragrant spices and crispy add-ins like fried garlic, shallots, soybeans, and Sichuan peppercorns. But what if one magical condiment could achieve both at once? Chili crisp is that condiment. Sure, any old crispy-crunchy topping can take a dish from good to great, and regular hot sauce can deepen a meal’s flavor profile with just a shake. “That’s the easiest way to make chili oil at home, but getting the seasoning right, the temperature right and a balance of flavors can get tricky,” he said.On the deliciousness index, heat and texture are paramount, and one surefire way to accomplish both is with a drizzle of one of the best chili crisps.

“Make sure the oil touches all the surface area of all your spices and chilies,” Sin advised. Heat the oil to 370-380 F, and then pour it over the spices and chilies.Sin prefers a 2-to-1 ratio of oil to spices. Decide whether you want more crunch or more oil.Uli’s OIl Mill and The Mala Market carry high-quality options. You can go with any neutral-flavored, high-smoke-point oil like canola, vegetable or soybean oil, or, for a more traditional Sichuan version, go with caiziyou. The second thing is to “pick your accessory spices and aromatics, like scallions, ginger, cumin, fennel, garlic, Sichuan peppercorn, cinnamon or star anise - these or any other spices that would support that main chili," he said.If you’re up for it, Sin suggests experimenting with a variety of Chinese, Mexican or African chilies. Coincidentally, it’s also a main ingredient in gochujang, another popular condiment. It's kind of a mild, entry-level chili,” said Sin. A really good starting point for easy, ready to go chili flakes that you don't have to pulverize yourself is Korean chili flakes called gochugaru. “Make sure it is ground, and if you don’t want it so spicy, de-seed it.

