Can I substitute cayenne for red pepper flakes?
In this brief article, we are going to answer the question,”Can I substitute cayenne for red pepper flakes?”, and discuss what cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes are along with some other substitutes for red pepper flakes.
Can I substitute cayenne for red pepper flakes?
Yes, you can substitute cayenne for red pepper flakes, Cayenne peppers are obtained from the same pepper which is used to derive the red pepper flakes so cayenne makes a good substitute for red pepper flakes.
Half to three fourths as much as ground cayenne can be used to attain the same heat levels. It is recommended to better start off with smaller amounts and then adjust the amount to taste.
What is cayenne pepper?
Cayenne pepper is a spice that is added to food for seasoning and has a heat level of 30000-50000 Scoville Heat units as measured on the Scoville scale.
What are red pepper flakes?
What are red pepper flakes?
Red pepper flakes are dried and crushed form of red chillies. Jalapenos, Anaheim and serrano come under their category. And the flakes of red pepper have a heat level between 30,000-50,000 SHU which is the same as cayenne pepper and thus can be used interchangeably.
What are the other substitutes for red pepper flakes?
Dried peppers
Other dried peppers can be used as an alternative to red pepper flakes. Grind these peppers just enough that a mix of flakes, seeds, and pepper is left. The peppers can be grounded by removing the stem and blending them in a food processor.
One important thing to be kept in mind is that different types of pepper have different heat levels. Serrano peppers, orange or red aji peppers are good alternative that can be used
To obtain a similar flavour, use peppers of the same heat levels. Making flakes at homes of hot peppers, it is advisable to wear gloves, as they give off a lot of heat and cause a burning sensation in hands that can remain for long periods of time even after washing.
Chilli powder
Doubling the amount of chilli powder can act as a suitable alternative if the red pepper flakes are not available.
Hot sauces
Splashing some hot sauce into foods can also serve as an alternative to red pepper flakes. The spice in hot sauce and cocktail sauce makes them good substitutes for people who like hot spicy food.
Paprika
Paprika is among the most common and available options. Paprika is basically a chilli powder formed by grounding paprika peppers. The heat levels of this spice is way lower than cayenne peppers so the amounts may need to be doubled if you want to attain the same heat levels as cayenne peppers.
Gochugaru
Gochugaru is a fine ground mix of red pepper flakes, often found in Korean dishes. These chilli peppers have benn sun dried and are somewhat smoky which can slightly change the flavour of too. On the other hand, it is vibrant and flavourful and can be used as an alternative to red pepper flakes.
Chilli sauces
Chilli sauces which are usually formed with sugars, chilli peppers, vinegar, salt, garlic and tomatoes can also act as an alternative to red pepper flakes. Chilli sauces such as Sriracha or tabasco can be added to soups and stews, sauces, and grilled meat in smaller quantities. But they have different heat levels so the amount should be adjusted accordingly.
Habanero peppers
Habanero peppers have heat levels that range between 100000-350000 SHU, which is very very hot. They are hotter than red pepper flakes and half a tsp of habanero pepper is enough to substitute for a teaspoon of red pepper flakes in recipes.
Chipotle powder
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Conclusion
In this brief article, we answered the question,”Can I substitute cayenne for red pepper flakes?”, and discussed what cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes are along with some other substitutes for red pepper flakes.
