Hot Chili Oil

5 from 4 votes

This Italian hot chili oil (olio di peperoncino) is an easy infused oil made with dried chili pepper flakes and olive oil. This oil lasts for about three months!

Prep Time2

Infusing Time:14

Total Time14 2

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: Italian

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: people (1 tablespoon servings)

Calories: 121kcal

Author: Sarah Trenalone

Ingredients

1 tablespoon dried chili flakes (or more for a hotter chili) Or swap 6-12 whole dried chilis, and thinly slice before using.
1 cup olive oil

Instructions

Add the chili flakes to a clean glass bottle. Add the oil and seal the bottle.
Place the oil out of direct sunlight and allow the hot chilis to infuse in the oil for at least two weeks.
Optionally, strain the chilis out of the oil. (I like to leave them in.)
Use the oil within 3 months. After 3 months, discard any remaining oil.

Notes

Infused oil safety: This oil is only safe to make with dried peppers. Do not substitute fresh, cooked, or marinated peppers.

For whole dried chilis: If swapping whole chilis, make sure they are fully dried inside and out.

Home-dried chili flakes: Using commercially dried chili flakes is the safest option for this recipe. Any moisture left in the chilis can lower the pH of the oil, making it non-shelf-stable.

For a milder oil: Reduce the infusion time, or use fewer peppers.

For a hotter oil: Use more peppers, or use a hotter type of pepper (some chili flakes will list the peppers inside). If using a very hot variety of pepper flakes, you may want to reduce the amount of peppers used.

Freezing oil: If desired, this oil can be portioned and frozen by pouring it into silicone molds (such as a silicone ice cube tray). For the best flavor, however, the oil should be frozen for no longer than three months, so in this case freezing does not extend the shelf-life. If frozen, oil should be used within two days of thawing.

Refrigerating oil: If desired, you can refrigerate the oil. Keep in mind that the oil will become cloudy in the fridge, but is still fine to use and the cloudiness will clear up when warmed.

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