Trader Joe’s Chili Onion Crunch

Now everyone can get a taste of the viral Trader Joe’s Chili Onion Crunch with this easy-to-make copycat recipe that takes just 5 minutes to make! Its oily crunch brings bold heat, mouthwatering garlicky flavor, and crispy bits to your favorite savory snacks and dishes!

You’ll Want To Put This Chili Onion Crunch On Everything!

For me, the nearest Trader Joe’s is hours away, so their viral items such as this Chili Onion Crunch aren’t always at my fingertips! And since I enjoy this spicy oily goodness on… just about everything, I knew a copycat recipe was overdue!

From breakfast to dinner and all the savory snacks in between, you’ll be drizzling this Crunchy Chili Onion on everything! With a base of light olive oil, the flavor then builds with dried onion, dried garlic, paprika, red pepper flakes, and two specialty ingredients that can be found locally.

And in 5 minutes or less, you’ll have the homemade version of a Trader Joe’s fan favorite that the internet can’t get enough of!

Homemade Chili Onion Crunch Ingredients

• Dried Arbol Chiles
• Dried Minced Onion
• Dried Minced Garlic
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• Sweet Paprika
• Fine Sea Salt
• Ancho Chile Powder
• Light Olive Oil

There is a bit of flexibility in this recipe! To start, you can swap light oil for avocado oil if you’d prefer a more neutral finish to the chili onion crunch. You can also replace the crushed red pepper flakes with more processed arbol flakes if you want a simple Chile flavor.

Lastly, to make a smoky version of Chile onion crunch, simply swap out sweet paprika for smoked paprika. Or use a combination of both paprikas!

How To Make Chili Onion Crunch

1. Add the dried arbol chiles to a food processor and pulse until they become coarse flakes.
2. Heat a small skillet over low heat until warm, then add dried minced onion and dried minced garlic to the warm skillet. Toast the onion and garlic while stirring constantly until they turn a shade darker, while yielding a nutty aroma.
3. Stir the arbol flakes and crushed red pepper flakes into the skillet with the toasted onion and garlic. Cook while stirring constantly until the peppers smell fragrant, then remove the skillet from the heat.
4. Stir in sweet paprika, fine sea salt, and ancho Chile powder until the seasoning looks thoroughly combined.
5. Spoon the toasted mixture into a jar and then pour in the light olive oil. Stir the chili onion crunch together until the solids are coated and the oil begins to turn orangish-red.
6. Rest the chili onion crunch mixture at room temperature until it has cooled completely. Then transfer it to the fridge.

What To Serve With Trader Joe’s Chili Onion Crunch

Chili Onion Crunch can be enjoyed in countless ways. Don’t be afraid to dab it on whatever it is you’re enjoying to see if it’s a hit combination!

• Cook your morning eggs with a scoop of this crunchy chili onion! You can also drizzle it over the eggs once cooked. Try it over scrambled, over-easy, or fried eggs for breakfast or over hard-boiled eggs as a snack.
• Enjoy chili onion crunch over avocado toast.
• Mix the crunchy chili onion with cream cheese to serve as a dip with crackers or over hummus to enjoy with carrots.
• Serve it with your favorite childhood favorites, such as macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, or pizza!
• Overcooked vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or even potatoes.
• Paired with Asian food such as fried rice, chow mein, or orange chicken.
• This chili onion crunch also makes its rounds with viral recipes on TikTok, such as a cucumber salad and Viral Dumpling Bake

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