Red Chile Flakes are a very common ingredient used in pastas, chiles, Mexican cuisine and on pizza. They are made from a variety of crushed chilies, including cayenne, ancho and even red bell peppers and go by various names like crushed red peppers and hot pepper flakes.

All about Red Chile Flakes, Spice

What it’s like, and how to make it

HeatHot
CuisineMediterranean, american & canadian, chinese & east & asian
Best forFinishing, saute pan fry, quick weeknight
Goes inPizza, pasta, stir fry, roasted vegetables, eggs breakfast, soups stews, noodles
WithChicken, pork, fish seafood, vegetarian, wild boar, bison, beef
What’s in itred chile flakes

How to use it

The pizza shaker. Red chile flakes are the universal heat source — shake on pizza, pasta, stir-fries, or anything that needs a kick. Bloom a teaspoon in olive oil at the start of cooking for infused heat, or sprinkle as a finishing spice for texture and sharp warmth. Essential for arrabbiata sauce, aglio e olio, and chili oil. Use generously or sparingly — they're forgiving either way.

Weeknight ideas

  • pizza
  • Red Chile Flakes spice, shown over a chalk-and-watercolour illustration
  • Illustration: Red Chile Flakes with the village of Bukovo near Bitola in North Macedonia in autumn
  • Illustration: Gambas al Ajillo, made with Red Chile Flakes
  • Illustration of Red Chile Flakes in The Tea & Spice Shoppe bag and jar, with the village of Bukovo near Bitola in North Macedonia in autumn
  • Red Chile Flakes - The Tea & Spice Shoppe

What it goes with

Red chile flakes are about heat, not aroma — so the pairing is about managing the burn. Our Assam with milk handles the capsaicin (milk protein binds the heat molecule), or brew our Peppermint iced — menthol directly blocks the receptor capsaicin activates. For pizza night with moderate flake use, our Ceylon iced is clean and refreshing.

Also in these blends

On its own, this is the straight thing. It also goes into these blends, each made for a different evening. Read about Red Chile Flakes →

Reviews

What the time-travelers say

206 of the shop’s 213 reviews are five stars — left by people who actually bought the tea

Write a review

No reviews of this one yet.

If you have had it, you would be the first to say so — and the shop reads every one.

Write a review

Great products and great service

I had a slight mix up on my order, they were quick to reply and correct my order with no issues. Amazing service and great…

I had a slight mix up on my order, they were quick to reply and correct my order with no issues. Amazing service and great products.

— Nick C. Verified

Great tea

A lovely, delicate tea. The peach is strong without being overwhelming or cloying, and the calendula is a nice addition. Very…

A lovely, delicate tea. The peach is strong without being overwhelming or cloying, and the calendula is a nice addition. Very tasty!

— Zoe R. Verified

Maple Peach

The maple peach is delicious. What a beautiful combination. I will most definitely order it again, and a higher quantity of it.

— Gerda S. Verified

Always handy

I use dillweed often. This dill is fresh and has a nice aroma. I use it in marinades, salad dressings, and on fish. Good stuff.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Great stuff

This has helped my household a lot with circulation and alertness when we had it everyday. Will be ordering again soon. Thanks

— Dave G. Verified

Love this tea. Hands down my fav rooibos. This store is our one-stop-shop for tea and spice. Great service, top notch product.…

Love this tea. Hands down my fav rooibos. This store is our one-stop-shop for tea and spice. Great service, top notch product. 10/10!!

— Erin Poeta P. Verified

Delicious

I love this black tea, it has a really nice smooth flavour and love how it’s Swiss water method decaf. Will be buying again!

— Jessica A. Verified

Great flavorful tea

Toffee Ole is one of our favorite teas to share with friends in the evening, when we want something non-caffeinated but quite…

Toffee Ole is one of our favorite teas to share with friends in the evening, when we want something non-caffeinated but quite flavorful.

— Joel R. Verified

Another full bodied ‘real tea’ . ie It is not a flavoured tea. However, we do very much enjoy the Cafe Latte tea which is a…

Another full bodied ‘real tea’ . ie It is not a flavoured tea. However, we do very much enjoy the Cafe Latte tea which is a flavoured tea!!!

— Ted H. Verified

teas

love , love, love and they shipping is very fast. the headache tea works great, the throat coat tea works great as well

— Miranda A. Verified

4 stars

It worked beautifully; perhaps if I add a little more honey, it would make it better… It is a wellness tea, after all!

— Merrilee B. Verified

Bancha with a splash of lemon

A wonderful Green Tea. Smooth in taste. Also suitable as a summer tea with a splash of lemon. A second infusion makes an…

A wonderful Green Tea. Smooth in taste. Also suitable as a summer tea with a splash of lemon. A second infusion makes an enjoyable second cup!

— Monika F. Verified

View product