Homemade Trader Joe's chili onion crunch but better! Crunchy, flavorful, lightly spiced. The best sauce for eggs, pizza, salads, pastas, sandwiches and more. This is my top 5 condiment for the fridge.
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What Is Chili Onion Crunch
Chili onion crunch is a mild, crunchy oil based condiment. I first tried it from Trader Joes. I have since moved 30 minutes from a Trader Joe's and I always get asked for the recipe whenever I post about it on my socials. So here we are! This chili onion crunch is honestly BETTER than Trader Joe's version, plus you get to chose the spice level, and it's less ingredients.
Chili onion crunch is great on anything savory, it can take so many foods from bland to wow with one tsp. The crunch is an added bonus, adding a fun texture to somewhat boring foods. You will love keeping a jar on hand in your fridge and you will be shocked at how easy it is to make.
Ingredients To Make Chili Onion Crunch
Dried/Dehydrated Garlic. Dehydrated is what will give you the texture for this sauce. It will keep its shape cut soak up the flavor and release it's flavor.
Dried/Dehydrated Onion.
Red Pepper Chili Flakes.
Seasoning. Salt, paprika. Paprika gives it the red color.
Olive Oil. Oil light in flavor. Avocado oil also works.
Steps To Make Chili Onion Crunch
Step One. Measure and add everything to a bowl or a glass jar, mix and enjoy! That's all.
What to put it on. toast, eggs, pasta, pizza, crackers, feta, and more. Options are endless.
How To Store Chili Onion Crunch
This can be stored up to 6 months in an airtight container, you don't have to refrigerate. But be sure to follow the below tips to keep it fresh!
If you don’t refrigerate, store in a cool dry place like a pantry. If you do keep it in the refrigerator the olive oil can become a bit solid and the heavier ingredients can separate and sink to the bottom, just mix it up good before adding when using. The most important tips to note are:
- Always use a clean spoon to stir and scoop out the oil
- Be sure to secure the lid on your container after use
- Keep away from extreme heat
Recipe FAQs
These are in the spice aisle at all major grocery stores, I found mine at Walmart. Major food brands like McCormicks make both. You can use them in a lot of recipes on their own.
This recipe makes about 1/4 cup of the condiment. Feel free to double the measurements if you end up loving it.
My version is a little salty, has garlic and red chili pepper flakes. The Tjs brand is slightly less flavorful, it is honestly more bland but adds a crunch.
You can add more red pepper flakes, the more the spicer. Beware, the spice can get a bit spicer while it marinates in the jar over time.
Recipe Tips
Store in a cool dark place. This will keep best if stored somewhere away from the heat and sunshine. You can store in the refrigerator but the oil can solidify a bit, if this happens simply bring it to room temperature.
Top this on eggs, toasts, pasta, pizza, soups, tacos and SO much more.
Add more spice to it by adding extra red pepper flakes.
Recipe Pairings
This chili onion crunch works wonders on my Black Bean Crunch Wraps, or my Crispy Black Bean Tacos. You can also top my Carrot & Lentil Soup with this sauce.
Other Recipes To Try
If you loved this recipe let me know! Also, follow me on Instagram & Pinterest for even more fun recipes to make you feel good from the inside out. Thanks for being here.
Chili Onion Crunch
Equipment
- 1 glass jar container with air tight lid
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp dried minced garlic
- 4 tbsp dried toasted onion
- 1½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tbsp salt *add more to taste if needed
- ¾ cup light neutral olive oil *see notes for substitute
Instructions
- Measure and add everything to a bowl or a glass jar, mix and enjoy!
Lori
How long does it last? Does it need to be refrigerated?
Bailey
Hi Lori!
Check out the "How To Store" section on the blog post for all the details! If can last up to 6 months if you follow those tips there. I hope you enjoy it.
Michelle Plakas-Kaiser
Tortilla Egg Cups + Chili Crunch is AWESOME!!
Bailey
I’m so glad you tried it and enjoyed!! Happy eating!
Ann
Would olive oil work?
Bailey
Hi Ann,
Yes! Olive oil will work wonderfully. Just try to use one light in flavor if you can. Xoxo.
Bailey
Hi Ann! Yes olive oil would work great as well!
Julie Markham
Can you use freeze dried garlic and still keep it on the counter rather than refrigerating it?
Bailey
Hi Julie
Yes I think freeze dried garlic would still work however the shelf life of the condiment won’t be nearly as long. Especially if you want to keep it on the counter vs in the refrigerator. If you plan to eat it fairly quick (say within the week) go for it! Enjoy.
Mads
I’ve made this 4 times in the last two months we are so addicted to it. I put it in toast with cream cheese almost every morning. Great recipe.
Sis
This is wonderful. I’ve been making it for a few months now. Thank you much cheaper than Trader Joe’s.
Ja
I can’t believe I’ve been buying the stuff the last few years. This recipe is so easy and it’s way better than store-bought.
Miranda Roberts
SO GOOD! Thank you
Priya K
Where can you get toasted onion? Would it be toasted onion flakes you could get on Amazon?
Bailey
Hi Priya, look for "dehydrated/dried" onions! They are typically with all the other seasonings at the grocery store. They are small little bits in the jar. McCormick and other big name brands sell them. Hope that helps!