Chipotle Chilli Crunch

If you’re love chilli crisp but crave something smokier and tangier, this Chipotle Chilli Crunch is exactly what you need. Inspired by the traditional Mexican salsa macha, this chilli crunch brings together fried peanuts, garlic, and a smoky heat from chipotle chilli flakes, balanced beautifully with fresh lime zest and juice. It’s versatile, vibrant, and downright addictive, whether drizzled over eggs, tacos, rice, or roasted vegetables. Personally, I love it over crispy chicken or grilled fish, where it shines with its rich, bold flavours.

Watch me make this Chipotle Chilli Crunch here.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Making the Perfect Chipotle Chilli Crunch
• Infusing the Oil: Bringing Flavour to Life
• The Zingy Twist: Why Lime is Essential
• Customising Your Chipotle Chilli Crunch
• How to Use Your Chipotle Chilli Crunch
• Storing and Serving
• Love This Chipotle Chilli Crunch? You’ll Love These!

Ingredient Breakdown

• Peanuts: Fried peanuts give that perfect crunchy texture. They also add a rich, nutty flavour that forms the foundation of this chilli crunch. They absorb the infused oil beautifully, making them golden and irresistible.
• Vegetable or Sunflower Oil: A neutral oil is used to fry the peanuts and garlic. It also serves as the base for infusing the spices. You can use either vegetable or sunflower oil, as both have high smoke points, which is ideal for this recipe.
• Garlic: Minced garlic adds savoury depth. It gets fried until crispy, bringing an aromatic punch to the chilli crunch that complements the peanuts and chilli flakes.
• Chipotle Chilli Flakes: Chipotle chillies are smoked, dried jalapeños that offer a unique smokiness with moderate heat. In flake form, they blend easily into the oil and provide that signature smoky punch to the chilli crunch.
• Crushed Red Chilli Flakes: These add a sharper heat, balancing the smoky richness of the chipotle with more upfront spice. You can adjust the amount to suit your heat tolerance.
• Lime Zest and Juice: The fresh zing from the lime cuts through the richness of the oil and peanuts. This provides a bright, citrusy contrast that makes this chilli crunch truly dynamic.
• Sugar: A small amount of sugar helps to round out the flavours. It adds just a hint of sweetness that brings everything together.

Making the Perfect Chipotle Chilli Crunch

One of the key elements to making a successful Chipotle Chilli Crunch is getting the peanuts and garlic perfectly crisp without burning them. The peanuts should be lightly golden when removed from the oil. Remember, they will continue to crisp up as they cool. Frying the garlic with the peanuts adds flavour to the oil, but it’s crucial to keep a close eye on it—garlic can burn quickly and turn bitter.

When draining the fried peanuts and garlic, it’s essential to let them cool properly. This ensures the crunch stays crisp when combined with the chilli-infused oil later. Don’t skip this step, as soggy peanuts would undermine the texture and enjoyment of the finished product.

Infusing the Oil: Bringing Flavour to Life

The heart of this Chipotle Chilli Crunch lies in the infused oil. This is where the chipotle chilli flakes, red chilli flakes, and lime zest release their flavours. As the oil heats gently, it absorbs the smoky, spicy, and citrusy notes, creating a rich base for the final product.

When adding the chilli flakes and lime zest, be sure to season generously with salt and pepper. Seasoning at this stage ensures that the flavours are well distributed throughout the oil. Once the oil reaches a simmer, let it infuse for just a minute before removing it from the heat. Any longer, and you risk burning the chilli flakes, which would introduce bitterness.

The Zingy Twist: Why Lime is Essential

What sets this chilli crunch apart is the addition of lime. Lime zest provides aromatic brightness, while the juice adds a punch of acidity that lifts the entire condiment. It’s not traditional in salsa macha, but it works beautifully here, especially when paired with the smoky chipotle.

The lime also keeps the chilli crunch from feeling too heavy, giving it a refreshing edge that keeps you coming back for more. It’s an element that balances the richness of the fried peanuts and oil, adding a freshness that you don’t often find in chilli crisps.

Customising Your Chipotle Chilli Crunch

One of the joys of making this chilli crunch is how customisable it is. If you prefer more heat, feel free to increase the amount of red chilli flakes or experiment with different dried chillies. Ancho chilli flakes could be an excellent substitute for a milder, sweeter heat, or you could add some arbol chillies if you’re after more fire.

You can also switch up the nuts and seeds. While peanuts offer a classic crunch, you could easily swap them for almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds to create a variation that suits your taste. Each of these alternatives brings a slightly different flavour and texture, keeping things interesting and personal.

For those who want a smoother texture, blitzing the chilli crunch in a food processor after it’s cooled will give you a finer, more uniform consistency. This makes it easier to drizzle or spoon over dishes, but I personally love the crunch and texture of leaving it as is.

How to Use Your Chipotle Chilli Crunch

Now, the fun part: how to use this flavour-packed condiment. The possibilities are endless, but here are a few of my favourite ways to incorporate it into your meals:

• Eggs: Drizzle over scrambled, fried, or poached eggs for a smoky, spicy kick that will transform your breakfast.
• Tacos: Add a spoonful to any taco for extra crunch and a burst of flavour, especially if the fillings are on the milder side.
• Roasted Vegetables: This chilli crunch is divine over roasted veggies like cauliflower, carrots, or even Brussels sprouts. The combination of smokiness, zing, and crunch elevates simple veg to something special.
• Chicken and Fish: Whether you’re grilling, roasting, or pan-frying, finish your chicken or fish with a drizzle of this chilli crunch to add depth and a touch of heat. It’s particularly delicious on grilled salmon or roast chicken thighs.
• Rice or Noodles: Add texture and spice to simple rice dishes or noodle bowls. Stir it in, or use it as a topping to take your carb game to the next level.

Storing and Serving

This Chipotle Chilli Crunch will keep for up to a month in the fridge, making it a fantastic make-ahead condiment. It’s best served at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before using.

If you find that the oil starts to solidify in the fridge, don’t worry—just let it sit on the counter, and it’ll return to its liquid state.

You might also notice the flavours deepen over time. The chillies and garlic will continue to infuse the oil, making it even more flavourful after a few days. Trust me, you’ll be reaching for this jar constantly, whether you’re adding a final touch to a dish or simply eating it with a spoon (I won’t judge).

This Chipotle Chilli Crunch brings a perfect balance of smokiness, heat, and zing. Whether you’re using it as a topping, a drizzle, or a flavour booster, it’s a condiment that delivers a punch of flavour every time. Make a batch, keep it in the fridge, and let it bring some excitement to your meals.

Love This Chipotle Chilli Crunch? You’ll Love These!

If you love this Chipotle Chilli Crunch recipe, and are a big fan of chilli oils in general, here are some other recipes for you to try:

• Masala Chilli Crisp: this Indian-inspired chilli crisp is loaded with curry leaves, Kashmiri chilli, cumin seeds, mustard seeds and more.
• Peanut Chilli Crisp: This Japanese-inspired crispy chilli and peanut oil is a must-try for those who love a bit of crunch with their spice. Use it to add a deliciously bold twist to your noodles, stir-fries, or even a simple bowl of steamed rice.
• Coconut Lemongrass Chilli Crisp: For a taste of the tropics, this chilli crisp combines the creamy sweetness of coconut with the fresh zest of lemongrass, all spiced up with a hint of chilli heat. It’s a versatile condiment that pairs wonderfully with seafood dishes, Asian-inspired salads, or as a flavour boost to your marinades.
• Sichuan Chilli Crisp: Dive into the bold, numbing spice of Sichuan peppercorns with this chilli crisp. Perfect for those who crave a little tingling sensation alongside their heat, this chilli oil is great drizzled over dumplings, added to soups, or used as a dipping sauce for your favourite snacks.