5 Ways to Use Chili Crisp (Besides Putting It on Dumplings and Noodles)

Let me guess. You got gifted a Fly by Jing advent calendar for the holidays? Congratulations! That’s a freaking big win. But after the 12 days of Christmas, you probably have a lot of chili crisp on your hands, right? And, okay, maybe you don’t have a dozen jars of the stuff—maybe you just have one jar of chili crisp in the fridge and you love it and simply want more ways to use it than drizzling it on plates of streamed dumplings or bowls of noodles? Okay then! Here are some creative ways to use chili crisp—now, let’s get some variety on those dinner plates!

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Mac and Cheese

You know I’d never utter an ill word about Kraft Mac & Cheese, so I need to tread lightly here. I’ll just say this: Just because something is classic doesn’t mean it can’t be improved upon. You know and love the taste of boxed mac and cheese, but a tablespoon chili crisp really brings some sophistication to a classic childhood dish.

Avocado Toast

If you have trouble getting up and getting going in the morning, a little kick of heat in the a.m. should do the trick. Sure, avocado toast has become an avatar of frivolous Millennial spending, but screw that narrative! We’re adding a drizzle of delicious, imported chile crisp to the mix. Picture it: A fat slab of toast covered and smothered in creamy mashed avocado, a perfectly runny egg, delicately sliced tomatoes, and that crunchy, oily condiment we all love so well. Suck it, Forbes!

Baked Potato

You already know what’s on a traditional loaded baked potato—butter, sour cream, some shredded cheddar, bacon bits, and chives—but none of those things are spicy. We need heat. We DEMAND heat. Sure, you could add a few dabs of some good hot sauce, but chili crisp has enough actual flavor to bring something more than just heat to the table. Talk about a hot potato (sorry).

Vanilla Ice Cream

A mix of spicy and sweet! If you’re like me, cursed by the Midwestern gene, you already have dairy around for the moment the heat hits your tongue. You might as well mix the two to save yourself a little time and enjoy an unexpected pairing that works well together!

Create New Condiments

Here me out: Chili crisp ketchup. Or how about chili crisp mayo? Honestly, I wouldn’t even turn down chili crisp mustard. Breathe new life into the old stuff in your fridge door by stirring in some chile crisp. That way your next sandwich won’t be a “sadwich.”