If you are into Mexican cuisine and spicy food, then you must have heard of chili flakes and red pepper flakes. Generally speaking, both are the staples of Mexican cuisine, both are similar in appearance, both are flakes, and both are hot and spicy.
So considering this, it is not a surprise that I often hear the question: What are the differences between chili flakes and red pepper flakes? There are differences and I am here to reveal them to you and give you a little information that will help you to understand them better.
Some say that the main difference is in their composition, i.e. the ingredients that they are made from. Others say that it is about taste. But it is a bit more complex than that and it needs to be analyzed a little bit deeper in order for you to understand what is going on.
But we won’t idle anymore, let’s see what the differences are between these two flakes.
Chili Flakes Vs Red Pepper Flakes: Their Main Differences
I divided the chili flakes vs red pepper flakes comparison into 4 basic categories in order to present their differences to you in the best possible way.
1. General Comparison
So, first is a general chili flakes vs red pepper flakes comparison as an introduction to this specific topic. I am going to say a few words about both types of flakes in order for you to better understand them and their main differences.
First, chili flakes are made of one type of pepper only, and that one pepper is the main creator of the composition. Of course, there are a wide variety of peppers when it comes to the type of chili pepper that is used to make chili flakes.
Some of the most popular peppers that are used for making chili flakes include chipotle chili flakes, Aleppo chili flakes, and Urfa Biber chili flakes.
There are also some other types worth mentioning like Korean chili flakes or Gochugaru, Thai chili flakes, and other condiments. The type of pepper that you will use depends on your preferences.
On the other hand, red pepper flakes or crushed red pepper flakes are a blend of different peppers that may include bell peppers, Fresno peppers, Anaheim peppers, cayenne peppers, or jalapeno peppers.
2. Appearance
The second category of chili flakes vs red pepper flakes comparison is their appearance. There are some differences in appearance between these two.
First, chili flakes have finer textures than red pepper flakes, but the main difference is in their colors. The color of chili flakes depends on the pepper that is used to make those flakes.
The color of chili flakes can vary from bright red to purple and the color of chili flakes are mostly uniform.
I have to say that they are mostly made of red chilis, so the most common color of those flakes is red. The darker color is due to the pepper seeds that are taken out before processing.
Unlike chili flakes, red pepper flakes contain skin and seeds that are clearly visible in the mixture. That is the reason why red pepper flakes are not uniform but rather a mix of white and red. It is because they have both white and red pieces mixed together.
3. Taste
When it comes to taste, it is a bit of a complicated story in terms of chili flakes. The reason is the variety of peppers that chili flakes are made of.
As I already mentioned, the most popular ones include chipotle chili peppers, Aleppo chili peppers, and Urfa Biber chili peppers. So, I will briefly go through the flavors that they provide.
Chipotles have a smoky flavor with a sweet aftertaste. Aleppo peppers possess an earthy taste that is similar to the taste of cumin.
Urfa Biber pepper is spicy, salty, and slightly sour. So, as you can see, there are a lot of tastes that chili flakes can provide based, of course, on the type of pepper that they are made of.
Red pepper flakes, on the other hand, have a more complex flavor because they are made from a mix of peppers. Their complex composition has a large influence on the taste and the heat level of flakes.
One thing is absolutely sure. Red pepper flakes add a lot more heat to the dishes due to the heat level which can vary from 15000 to 30000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
The reason for this is the hot peppers that are in the mixture. There are, of course, some milder versions of red pepper flakes but I would recommend that you not add an additional teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you are not a fan of hot and spicy.
4. Usage
I am sure that this is the part of the chili flakes vs red pepper flakes comparison that most of you home cooks have been waiting for, and that is very logical since the most important thing, in the end, is your kitchen and your dishes to which you will add one of these spices.
I will start with chili flakes. Chili flakes are not as hot as red pepper flakes, so you can add them freely without much worry. You can use chili flakes in most savory dishes. You can add chili flakes to a sauce, you can use them as a pizza topping, and even in soups.
Some people also add them to salad dressings, but much of this depends on your preferences so, in the end, it is up to you to decide.
Red pepper flakes are very versatile when it comes to culinary uses. They can be added to almost any type of dish.
They are mostly used in savory dishes some of which include chowders, pizza sauces, spaghetti sauce, soups, and sausages. Red pepper flakes are also widely used in Italian cooking as aromatic in the way that is added to a pan of hot oil with some onions and garlic powder.
Can You Substitute Red Pepper Flakes For Chili Flakes?
Yes, of course! You can substitute red pepper flakes for chili flakes.
One of the best chili flake substitutes for red pepper flakes is DIY chili flakes with dry chilies which are obtained by drying and dehydrating and have a shelf life of at least 12 months. You can buy these chili flakes in any grocery store or supermarket.
Cracked black pepper or ground black pepper is also an option when you don’t have any red pepper flakes.
It is important to note that, when you are substituting red pepper flakes with chili flakes, you need to add a larger amount of it since chili flakes are less spicy than red pepper flakes.
What Can I Substitute For Chili Flakes?
Some of the best substitutes for chili flakes include cayenne powder, chili paste, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and paprika. These substitutes for chili flakes are usually good for red pepper flakes as well, so also take that into account.
The absolute best substitute is a cayenne powder made out of cayenne peppers. It is very easy to find and it can add flavor to dishes just as well as chili flakes can. But cayenne can also be much, much hotter than chili flakes because its heat levels range from 30000 to 50000 Scoville Heat Units.
What Is The Difference Between Chili Flakes And Chili Powder?
The main difference between chili flakes and chili powder is that chili flakes are made from crushed chili peppers of all types.
On the other hand, chili powder is a seasoning or a mixture of spices that contain ground hot pepper that can be mixed with other ingredients such as cumin, oregano, and onion or garlic powder.
Chili powder is a great substitute for popular cajun seasoning and many others as well.
Another important difference is their interaction with food. Chili flakes have a large crushed profile and they tend to lay atop a dish. So, if you accidentally add it, you can easily remove it because it doesn’t infuse into the dish.
On the other hand, Chili powder infuses into a dish more completely and it can also give the sense that it is hotter than chili flakes.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Chili Flakes?
Some of the most important health benefits of chili flakes include the prevention of some types of cancer like prostate cancer, boosting metabolism, burning calories, fighting oxidative stress, and helping with digestive issues, pain, and inflammation.
I will also add that they are excellent appetite suppressants, so if you are on a diet, it is a good thing to eat.
Chili peppers have these health benefits due to their high level of nutrients like capsaicin, lots of antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, B6, E, and some important minerals like magnesium, potassium, and iron.
Red Pepper Flakes Vs Chili Flakes Final Verdict
Although very similar, these two spices have enough differences to be able to make a chili flakes vs red pepper flakes comparison. A lot of ordinary people, who are not into spicy foods, don’t even know that these two condiments are not the same.
That same mistake is also made by many others that think that they know everything about Mexican cuisine.
But, after reading this article, I am sure that you won’t make that mistake again and you will know exactly what are chili flakes and what are red pepper flakes.
See also: How Long Does Chili Last In The Fridge And How To Store It?