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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 favorite condiment for the fridge.
Table of Contents
Why You Need To Make 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.
It not only tastes just like the store bought, but is made with better-for-you ingredients and comes together at a fraction of the price, making it the ultimate pantry staple that you won’t be able to live without!
Chili onion crunch is great on anything savory, it can take so many foods from bland to wow with one tsp. I love it on my Carrot & Lentil Soup or Spicy Garlic Noodles. 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 surprised at how easy it is to make.
Ingredients To Make Chili Onion Crunch
Dried/Dehydrated Garlic. Dehydrated herbs is what will gives off the texture for this sauce. It will keep its shape cut soak up the flavor and release it’s flavor.
Dried/Dehydrated Onion. Not to be confused with onion powder! It’s dehydrated chopped onion and it’s crunchy. Both the garlic and onion can be found in the spice aisle at the store.
Red Pepper Chili Flakes. Of course, we need red pepper flakes to give this Chili Onion Crunch its signature spicy flavor! You can always add more to make this Chili Crunch extra spicy, or less to make it less spicy. It’s totally up to you!
Seasonings. Salt, paprika, chili powder.
Oil. Oil light in flavor, neautral flavored olive oil or Avocado oil.
Steps To Make This Recipe
Step One. Measure all the ingredients, and add to a medium sized mixing 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. See my recipe pairings below!
How To Store Chili Onion Crunch
Since this recipe calls for dried/dehydrated minced garlic and onion, it can safely be stored on the counter or in the pantry, for up to two months. However, it is important that your garlic is fully dried. I recommend buying pre-dried garlic, to ensure the highest safety standards.
This can be stored up to 1 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
However, you can make this recipe with fresh minced garlic, in which case this Chili Onion Crunch MUST be stored in the fridge and consumed within two days.
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 1/3 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. 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, please practice food safety when it comes to homemade condiments. You can store in the refrigerator but the oil can solidify a bit, if this happens simply bring it to room temperature. This will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Taste as you go! Be sure to taste the chili onion crunch. You may want more salt or more red pepper flakes.
Add More Texture. You can add more texture by adding in a Tbsp of sesame seeds or hemp seeds. Both add a little more nutty texture.
Add more spice to it by adding extra red pepper flakes. You can even add dried ginger or honey to sweeten things up, the mix ins are endless.
Recipe Pairings
The best part about this Chili Onion Crunch? It goes with almost anything! There truly isn’t a recipe that it wouldn’t pair well with. But, here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
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
- glass jar with air tight lid to store ⅓ cup of chili onion crunch condiment
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dried minced garlic, *see notes, aka dehydrated
- ¼ cup dried toasted onion
- 1 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 ingredients and add to a medium bowl or a glass jar, mix well and enjoy! Store in a small glad jar with an airtight lid.
- This recipe makes about ⅓-½ cup of the chili onion crunch condiment.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How long does it last? Does it need to be refrigerated?
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.
Tortilla Egg Cups + Chili Crunch is AWESOME!!
I’m so glad you tried it and enjoyed!! Happy eating!
Would olive oil work?
Hi Ann,
Yes! Olive oil will work wonderfully. Just try to use one light in flavor if you can. Xoxo.
Hi Ann! Yes olive oil would work great as well!
Can you use freeze dried garlic and still keep it on the counter rather than refrigerating it?
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.
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.
This is wonderful. I’ve been making it for a few months now. Thank you much cheaper than Trader Joe’s.
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.
SO GOOD! Thank you
Where can you get toasted onion? Would it be toasted onion flakes you could get on Amazon?
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!
I have been meaning to leave a review! I make this often, it’s way more affordable for me to make your recipe than purchase it pre made and I can never find the stuff at the store so this is way easier and attainable. We love it. Thank you.