15 Chili Crisp Recipes That Satisfy My Craving

Delicious ways to dip deep into that jar, plus how to make your own.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

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Published July 22, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
Two bowls of spicy noodles with cucumbers and chili crisp.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

A long time ago, I used to think condiments were just the finishing drizzle to a meal already made, nothing I couldn't live without. Now I find they're often the difference between a mediocre and amazing dish. One of my favorite condiments, which I typically have three variations of at any given time, is chili crisp. I use it in a variety of ways, from spooning it over a simple piece of toast with cottage cheese or bowl of instant ramen, to smashing it together with eggs or swirling it into a sauce for dumplings, to building a whole recipe around it.

Because I’m chili crisp-obsessed I tend to have one very spicy chili crisp, one that leans heavy on the garlic, and another that might include extra spices like cinnamon and star anise, to add depth and savory warmth wherever I use it.

Whether you're new to the chili crisp game or, like me, have a small line-up of your go-to's ready for action at a moment's notice, here are some of our best recipes to make with chili crisp, plus a homemade version so you can even create your own.

  • 2-Ingredient Chili Crisp Broccoli

    Overhead view of a baking sheet of chili crisp coated broccoli florets on parchment paper with a serving spoon next to a small bowl of chili crisp

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "Chili crisp does triple duty here. It serves as the oil so the broccoli roasts up in the oven, it adds tons of flavor, and the little bits add crispy texture. You can adjust the level of spice by your choice of chili crisp as well as adjusting how much you add at the end."—Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

  • 4-Ingredient Chili Crisp Chicken Salad

    Chili crisp chicken salad in a bowl

    Simply Recipes / Sheela Prakash

    "I prefer to eat this chicken salad at room temperature, which ensures the flavors of the chili crisp pop. However, it’s also nice served chilled in the warmer weather."—Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

  • Creamy Chili Crisp Pasta

    A plate of pasta with chili crisp on a light-colored surface

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    " On nights when red sauce isn’t calling my name, this creamy chili crisp pasta almost always is. The sauce is spicy, silky, and shockingly simple. With just four ingredients—pasta, cream cheese, chili crisp, and spinach—it delivers big flavor on a small budget."—Julie & Amy Luxemberg, Recipe Developers

  • 3-Ingredient Dumpling Salad

    A bowl with the Trader Joe's Miso Crunch Chopped Salad Kit and dumplings

    Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

    "One of the best things about this “recipe” is how flexible it is. I’ve made it with all sorts of dumplings, from shrimp to pork and cabbage to vegetable to chicken—everything works. You can change it up to suit your mood and your diet."—Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

    Continue to 5 of 15 below

  • Sheet Pan Salmon with Broccolini and Chili Crisp

    Angled view of a light blue plate of a cooked salmon filet topped with chili crisp and stems of broccolini with a fork holding a bite of salmon

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

    "Since chili crisp has become popular in the U.S., many versions of the sauce have arrived on store shelves, some with ingredients like star anise, garlic, seaweed, mushroom powder, and all kinds of dried chilis of varying heat levels. All of them will work in this recipe, so use your favorite."—Robin Asbell, Recipe Developer

  • Whole-Roasted Eggplant with Chili Crisp

    Two whole roasted eggplant on a baking sheet, topped with yogurt and chili crisp, a bowl of chili crisp alongside

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

    "Simply Recipes editors highly recommend making the Calabrian Chili Crisp from Dan's cookbook, Let’s Eat: 101 Recipes to Fill Your Heart & Home, to top the eggplants. As an alternative, use store-bought chili crisp. Dan recommends Fly By Jing."—Simply Recipes Editors

  • Spicy Sweet and Sour Sauce

    Fried chicken dipped in sweet and sour sauce

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "While this sweet and sour sauce is very different from traditional recipes that use pineapple juice and sugar, it goes really well with anything fried, from fried chicken to vegetable tempura. The sauce consistency is not too runny or too jammy, so it’s the ideal consistency for dipping and even dunking."—Frank Tiu, Recipe Developer

  • Quick Garlic Noodles

    Sideview of a large serving plate with broad rice noodles on a garlic sauce, garnished with sliced scallions

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "You can use a wide range of noodles for this recipe. Try it with fresh egg noodles, spaghetti, or any kind of rice noodle. Make sure to stir the noodles often as you cook them in boiling water (especially if you are using rice noodles) to make sure they don’t stick together."—Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 9 of 15 below

  • Chili Crisp Tomato Salad

    5-ingredient chili crisp tomato salad on a plate next to a jar of chili crisp and a spoon resting on the jar lid

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva, RD

    "If tomatoes aren’t in season, or you can’t find flavorful ones, use cherry or grape tomatoes (halved), which are often more concentrated in flavor all year round."—Micah Siva, Recipe Developer

  • Cold Rice Noodle Salad

    Rice noodle salad with sesame dressing in a black bowl and topped with thinly sliced vegetables.

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    "This recipe calls for rice noodles and vegetables, but you can easily add some protein to the mix. In Yunnan, a province of China, this dish is often made with shredded chicken, similar to the poached chicken used for chicken salad, or eggs cooked into a very thin omelet and cut into long, thin strips that match the shape of the noodles and vegetables."—Georgia Freedman, Recipe Developer

  • Chicken Thighs with Chili Crisp

    Chicken thighs with chili crisp

    Matt Russell

    "Serve it with Miso-Coconut Rice with Greens (found on page 48 of "Cook Simply, Live Fully"), plain rice, or greens you have on hand."—Yasmin Fahr, Recipe Developer

  • 4-Ingredient Cucumber Salad

    4-ingredients cucumber salad

    Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

    "You just need four ingredients (plus salt) to make this stand-out cucumber salad. A simple dressing of sour cream, chili crisp, and lemon juice gives the dish tons of flavor and pairs perfectly with the crunchy cukes."—Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

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  • Stir-Fried Maitake Mushrooms with Garlic and Chile Oil

    Stir-Fried Maitake Mushrooms with Garlic and Chile Oil in a Plate Next to a Pair of Chopsticks, a Bowl of Rice, a Cup of Tea, and a Tea Kettle

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "If you want to try this recipe with other mushrooms, cut them into thick slices (about 1/4 inch), then proceed with the rest of the recipe, but add the soy sauce little by little, tasting as you go. Some types of mushrooms will need more of a boost, some will need less."—Georgia Freedman, Recipe Developer

  • Noodles with Cucumbers and A Lot of Chili Crisp

    Two bowls of spicy noodles with cucumbers and chili crisp.

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    "I make these summery noodles when short on time or hungry for something spicy and cool. Salt and rest the cucumbers first. They’ll be ready by the time you cook the noodles and make the dressing."—Myo Quinn, Former Associate Editorial Director

  • Homemade Chili Crisp

    Spoonful of Homemade Chili Crispy Raised from Mason Jar With More Crisp, and in the Background, a Saucer With More Chili Crisp and a Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "While it is red and peppery, this chili crisp isn’t too hot, providing a delicious kick without being overly intense. You can also adjust the recipe to your liking depending on your spice tolerance."—Frank Tiu, Recipe Developer

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