Chili Crisp

Chili crisp is a crunchy, spicy Chinese condiment of fried chili flakes, garlic and shallots suspended in savoury oil. It became a global pantry favourite after brands like Lao Gan Ma turned it into a viral spoon-straight-from-the-jar staple, prized as much for its crunch as its heat. A spoonful adds instant texture and flavour to noodles, dumplings, fried eggs, rice and roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

Chili crisp is typically made from dried chili flakes, garlic and shallots fried until crisp, combined with soybean oil, Sichuan peppercorn, fermented soybeans, salt and sugar. Exact blends vary by brand, but the crunchy fried aromatics suspended in chili oil are the defining feature.

Nutritional Facts

Chili crisp is an oil-based condiment, so it is relatively high in fat and calories for its size. Per tablespoon, it contains approximately 100 calories, 10 grams of fat and 1 gram of carbohydrates, with only a trace of protein. Sodium content varies by brand, generally ranging from 90 to 190 milligrams per tablespoon.