Whether it’s slathered over your grill-fresh hot dog or drizzled on a pizza to liven up boring crusts, a little bit of chilli oil goes a long way.
In terms of condiments, it’s incredibly versatile: not only is it a great topping on most finished dishes, but it serves heroically as a marinade in a pinch, as well as an ingredient when you fancy turning up the heat levels. It can also bring fire to salads when used as part of a dressing.
How to make chilli oil
It’s easy to make your own - the clue is in its Ronseal-esque name. Just sling some dried chilli flakes in good oil (peanut, canola (rapeseed) and extra virgin olive oil are all great bases) into a pan and gently heat up on a stove to allow the flakes to seep out their flavour. Make sure the oil doesn’t begin to smoke and after five minutes, remove from the heat. Once completely cooled, decant into your favourite bottle for serving. You can add diced fresh chilli too, depending on how hot you like it. The longer you leave the chilli in the oil, the better it will taste. As a general rule of thumb, making your own chilli oil will give you a shelf life of up to six months.
While the basic recipe is simple, there are a few store-bought staples that seem to include added magic. Few can recreate their flavour and depth, which is why we’re so wild for them.
We’ve put together a hit list of our favourites to help enhance your mealtimes.
See our favourites below
Lao Gan Ma Laoganma Crispy Chilli in Oil
If ever there was a chilli oil to change your life, this is the one. Part of the wildly popular Lao Gan Ma line (spotted on Asian supermarkets across the country), this condiment transforms even the most basic of dishes into plates so delicious you’ll be licking them clean.
At first scoop it looks foreboding - each spoonful is heaped with crushed chilli flakes in dark red oil - but push on, and you will be rewarded. There’s mild heat here, with flavour tipping towards fried onions and texture from the crunch of the chillies. The addictive umami taste works on most things but shines best when paired with east Asian dishes (no surprise there). A jar that should live in everyone’s kitchen cupboard.
Buy now £3.99, Amazon
Banhoek Chilli Oil
Crafted in South Africa from two key ingredients - rapeseed oil and Bird’s Eye chillies - Banhoek is the perfect marriage of spice and flavour, with neither overpowering the other. The chillies are picked and left to dry in the heat of the sun before being hand-crushed and infused in the oil. Next, a 16-step filtration process ensures all that’s poured into the bottle is a rose-coloured oil with a bit of bite.
The Great Taste award-winning premium oil comes into its own on the dinner table, whether you’re sitting down to an SA-style Braai or just adding some kick to a bowl of mac and cheese.
Also available in Selfridges.
Buy now £8.50, Amazon
Poon’s Extraordinary Chilli Oil
From the daughter of celebrated Chinese chef Bill Poon (owner of Michelin-starred ex-Soho restaurant Poon’s) comes this line of pantry essentials, including the famed chilli oil. There’s not just chilli in this oil; ingredients also include ginger, garlic and salted black beans giving the elixir a hit of delightful umami flavour that you’ll find yourself reaching for at every meal time. The brand recommends trying it on toasted sourdough with peanut butter and flash-fried greens. We’re not 100 per cent sold on that, but cheese on toast will never be the same again.
Buy now £8.95, Harvey Nichols
Olitalia Chilli-Infused Olive Oil
You may know the brand for its coveted pizza ovens, but Ooni offers all the extras too - including this 250ml bottle of chilli-infused olive oil. The punchy condiment is ideal for spice fans: simply drizzle or dunk fresh slices into it or make your own dip by combining it with aioli for a flavour sensation.
Buy now £4.95, Ooni
Filippo Berio Chilli Flavoured Olive Oil
Arguably one of the best known oil brands in the UK, of course Filippo Berio would have a chilli infused version under its belt. The EVOO contains a sprinkling (just three per cent) of dry chilli heightened by chilli flavouring so it’s very mild - good news for the wimpy. Plonk it down on the table at your next pizza night and watch the crowd go wild.
Buy now £3.00, Asda
White Mausu black bean rāyu chilli oil
Fans of Japanese cooking will adore this 240g of chilli oil, which perfectly compliments Nipponese dishes. As well as the obligatory chilli flakes swimming in sunflower oil, ingredients also include garlic flakes, salt and sugar, soya, Sichuan pepper and a few other spices to create a condiment brimming with flavour. It’s salty and spicy with a hint of fruit.
Buy now £8.99, Selfridges
Azada Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Chilli 100ml
Part of Selfridges’ Project Earth collection of sustainable, eco-friendly products, the Spanish-made condiment is made with 100 per cent Arbequina olives that have been crushed and pressed alongside chillies from the very start, as opposed to added later as an infusion. So, not only do you get zippy moreish flavour but you’ll get all the vitamin, mineral and antioxidant benefits from each ingredient too. Win!
Buy now £7.99, Selfridges
M&S The Hot & Spicy One Chilli Gift Selection
For your chilli fiend friend comes this curated gourmet gift pack from Marks & Spencer. The three-piece box contains a garlic and chilli flavoured oil as well as a jar of Hot Calabrian Chilli for bringing fire and flavour to their cooking. There’s also a small pot for dipping hunks of bread into the oil.
Buy now £15.00, M&S
Tonkotsu Eat The Bits Extra Hot Japanese Chilli Oil 190ml
Whether you’re making it fresh or simply heating up last night’s leftovers, a great chilli oil can really add something to your final meal. If you’re ready to dial up the heat, this extra hot chilli oil from Japanese brand Tonkotsu will hit the mark.
The vegan sauce uses white miso, garlic, onion, sesame seeds and sesame oil along with garlic to create a nutty hot oil that promises to liven up marinades, noodle dishes, stir-fries and gyoza. Great packaging too - you’ll want to keep it on display.
Buy now £5.90, Amazon
The Garlic Farm Rapeseed Oil with Garlic & Chilli 250ml
Fresh from the Isle of Wight’s Garlic Farm comes this flavoured oil rich in notes of chilli and garlic. It uses rapeseed as the base and brings life to salad, pasta sauces and sliced steak. Simple and delicious.
Buy now £5.99, Fenwick
Verdict
Low cost yet high flavour, investing in this unassuming little jar of Laoganma Crispy Chilli in Oil will be the best decision you ever make when it comes to your condiment selection. The fact that it’s vegan means that it can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone. Go forth, and drizzle yourself happy.
