Transform scotch bonnets into Chili Flakes to give your dishes a kick of spice, warmth, and flavor!
With this one-ingredient hack, you can make every meal exciting. Making your own version of chili flakes is actually easier than it sounds. It is also a practical and easy way of making your own seasoning.
You can use it for almost any recipe, from main dishes, stews, and snacks to one-pot dishes. It goes well with beef, chicken, turkey, fish, and even vegetables. There is absolutely no reason not to make chili flakes.
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Chili flakes are some of the most versatile kitchen condiments. You won’t want to miss out on this 100% organic and safe for your diet. In easy steps, you can make chili flakes in no time!
How to Make Chili Flakes
Do you want to learn how to make your own chili flakes at home? Well, this is the perfect guide for you. Aside from suggesting one of the best peppers for chili flakes, I will also share a step-by-step guide to help you make your own!
Ingredient
As promised, the only ingredient you need to make chili flakes is scotch bonnet!
Scotch Bonnets
Did you know that the scotch bonnet is hotter and spicier than the jalapeño?
With up to 350,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), the scotch bonnet is one of the hottest peppers in the world. But the good thing about it is that it’s not all about spice because it also has a touch of sweet and fruity flavors for the best balance.
Scotch bonnets come in different colors and usually measure up to 2 ½ inches. They also have a sweetness that balances perfectly with the spicy taste. Since they come in different varieties, use ones that best suit your taste.
These are not just good for your recipes, but they are also great for your health.
Whenever handling scotch bonnets, remember to wear your gloves. Aside from turning them into chili flakes, you can also convert scotch bonnets into sauces, marinades, rubs, and garnish!
I always have scotch bonnets on my grocery list because I love using them for:
Directions
Before anything else, wear your gloves to protect your hands from the heat.
- Rinse and dry the scotch bonnet in a colander.
- Destalk and shred it with a knife.
- Preheat the oven to 85°C or 185°F.
- Place a grill mesh mat over an oven rack.
- Then, arrange the scotch bonnet evenly.
- Dehydrate them for two hours or until crisp.
- Once cooled, crush the contents with a pestle or spice grinder.
- Transfer the contents into a jar ready for use or storage!
Creating this condiment on your own is practical, affordable, and safe. With this recipe, you may want to add chili flakes to every dish you make!
Tips
Scotch Bonnets
Buying scotch bonnets
- Scotch bonnets may come in different colors, and you can use any of them to make chili flakes.
- Select ones that are firm and with smooth skin.
- Avoid ones with soft spots or discoloration.
Storing scotch bonnets
- Put the unwashed scotch bonnet in resealable bags.
- Store them in the crisper drawer for up to three weeks.
- You can also extend shelf life by freezing it in freezer bags.
Dehydrating Scotch Bonnet Without an Oven
If you don’t have an oven, then try the following methods.
Griller
- Set your griller to a low temperature.
- Place a grill mesh on top.
- Then, organize the chopped scotch bonnet on top.
- Continue to grill until crisp and dry.
Dehydrator
- Arrange the scotch bonnet on the dehydrator tray.
- Set the dehydrator to 70°C.
- Then, dehydrate the scotch bonnets for 12 to 24 hours.
Airdry
- Place the scotch bonnet on a tray.
- Put a food net cover on top.
- Then, place the tray under direct sunlight and wait for days until it becomes dry.
- Keep it away from moisture and rain to achieve the desired dryness.
Air Fryer
- Distribute the chopped scotch bonnet in the air fryer basket.
- Then, set the air fryer to its lowest temperature.
- Let it dehydrate for up to 40 minutes or until dry.
- Air fry them in batches to prevent clumping.
Chili Flakes Variations
I love how chili flakes are suitable for vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, keto, and climatarian diets. In fact, it is a popular ingredient for weight loss dishes and meal plans. It will surely keep your dishes tasteful and exciting.
Aside from scotch bonnet, you can also use jalapeño, anaheim, red chili, or red cayenne. If you love homemade condiments, then I also suggest making raisins from fresh grapes!
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Recommended Tools
- Oven: Dehydrate the scotch bonnet in an oven.
- Knife: Slice and shred it using a clean knife.
- Grill mesh mat: Place it on the oven rack to prevent the chili from falling.
- Pestle and mortar: Crush the dehydrated scotch bonnet to make the chili flakes.
- Gloves: Wear gloves to protect your hands from the heat of the scotch bonnet.
- Bowl: Transfer the dehydrated scotch bonnet into a bowl.
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How to Use Chili Flakes
How do you plan on using your chili flakes?
Chili flakes are so versatile that you can use them for almost any dish you want to cook. You can also use it as a marinade, rub, topping, or seasoning. Just remember to use it moderately because of the burning sensation it might have.
You can use the chili flakes for:
- Fish Seasoning
- Crispy Chicken Wings
- Pan Fried Fish Fillet
- Jollof Rice
- Egusi Soup
- Chicken Gizzard Stew
- Roast Chicken
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: Put the chili flakes in a container to last up to several weeks at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is red pepper flakes the same as chilli flakes?
No, red pepper flakes are not the same as chilli flakes. Red pepper flakes are made of different peppers like bell peppers or sweet peppers. On the other hand, chili flakes are made of different chilis like scotch bonnet or jalapenos.
What are chili flakes used for?
Use the chili flakes as flavoring agents for your favorite meals. You can add them to beef, chicken, turkey, fish, vegetables, soups, stews, and more!
These can be used when baking, roasting, grilling, stir-frying, and deep frying. Remember to use chili flakes whenever you want your recipes to have a kick of spice.
What do you mean by chili flakes?
Chili flakes get their name from their textures. Instead of having a powder form like other seasonings, chili flakes are ground just until they are in the form of flakes or specks.
What can I use instead of chili flakes?
Vegan Punks suggests using substitutes like red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, chili powder, chili paste, or even fresh chilies.
Chili Flakes (VIDEO)
Equipment
- Dehydrator (or oven or air-fryer)
Ingredients
- 220 g scotch bonnets (22 medium-sized scotch bonnets)
Instructions
- Prepare the scotch bonnet. Before anything else, ensure that you have gloves to protect your hands from the heat. Rinse and dry the scotch bonnet. Destalk it before slicing and shredding it with a knife.
- Dehydrate the shredded scotch bonnet. Preheat the oven to 85°c or 185°F. Place a grill mesh mat over an oven rack. Arrange the scotch bonnet evenly. Place the racks in the preheated oven. Dehydrate them for 2 hours or until crisp. Allow them to cool for a minute.
- Crush the dehydrated scotch bonnet. Once cool, pour the scotch bonnet into a bowl. For a more delicate texture, crush the contents with a pestle. Alternatively, you can also achieve the same texture by using a coffee grinder. Transfer the contents into an airtight jar ready for use or storage!
Video
Notes
- Remember to use gloves when preparing the chili flakes.
- If you don’t have an oven, you can use a dehydrator, air fryer, grill, or even the sun to dehydrate the scotch bonnet.
- Minimize the heat from the scotch bonnet by wearing gloves.
- You can dip your hands in milk, oil, dish soap, or alcohol to remove the spice.
- To slow down the process of losing its heat, place the container in an area without much sunlight or air.
- The smaller the scotch bonnet, the hotter it’ll be!
Nutrition
