Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes Q & A

What are crushed red pepper flakes?

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes are not made of one type of chile, but from various combinations of red (or ripened) chiles including ancho, bell, and cayenne.

What are dried red peppers good for?

The most popular use for this spice is as a pizza or pasta topping as well as in tomato sauce. It is also used in pickling, chowders, gumbos, sausage. They are also great in cream and cheese sauces, omelets, and marinades. Use about a tsp. to equal the power of one small dried chile.

What can be substituted for crushed red pepper flakes?

Though it won't have the flaky appearance, Cayenne Chile Powder can be substituted for Crushed Red Pepper Flakes to add heat to dishes, although slightly less should be used since ground cayenne is typically spicier. Crushed Aleppo Chiles are another great substitute that brings their own unique fruity notes along with a similar heat level.

Does crushed red pepper flakes expire?

Like all spices, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes will not spoil, but they will lose flavor and heat over time. This is because all spices contain as volatile oils which are composed of compounds that give spices their flavor. These compounds, like capsaicin in chiles, break down over time resulting in less intense flavor.

Cooking With Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

To bring out more flavor, bloom Crushed Red Pepper Flakes in oil over medium low heat before using.

Other Names

Red Pepper Flakes

Pizza Pepper