Copycat Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion Recipe

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The perfect Copycat Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion recipe! An irresistible blend of crunchy goodness and spice, just like the original.

finished crunchy chili oil ready to use.

Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion

Crunchy, flavorful, and undeniably addictive, Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion has garnered a loyal following for their unique blend of heat and crunch. Including ME!

For those who crave that sensational taste of this ultimate pantry staple but prefer to craft it at home, fear not!

With our Copycat Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion recipe, you can recreate that mouth-watering experience in your kitchen using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

We will guide you through the simple steps to achieving that perfect balance of mild heat and crunch, to create a jar of goodness you will be putting on everything.

May I make a suggestion? The first food you put it on should be our Avocado Cream Cheese Toast. It's one of my favorite foods of all time - breakfast, lunch, snack, supper. All day.

The second food to put it on... Butternut Squsah Soup with Cider.

Prepare to elevate your snacking game with this irresistible homemade version no matter how far you live from the closest Trader Joe's.

Ingredients

These simple ingredients are likely in your pantry already and are quick and easy to stir together. Food this delicious shouldn't be this easy.

Dried Minced or Dehydrated Onion - Brings texture and flavor to this condiment.
Dried Minced Garlic - Crunchy garlic flavor.
Smoked Paprika - Adds a little smoky flavor.
Kosher or Sea Salt - Rounds out and enhances the flavors.
Chili Powder - Brings flavor to the oil. Use one you love the flavor of.
Olive Oil - Brings it all together in a happy sauce.

Directions

This recipe is so simple to put together. Stir it all together in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and look for all kinds of ways to use it.

Be sure to stir before each use as the heavier ingredients tend to sink to the bottom of the jar.

adding dried onions to a mason jar for crunchy chili onion.

adding seasonings to the crunchy chili onion.

What can I put TJ's Chili Onion Crunch on?

Anything you want a little more flavor and heat on! I have a long list of things I love this crunchy chili oil on. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:

Avocado Cream Cheese Toast - I'm telling you, this toast is life-changing. I can eat it every single day. The crunch topping makes this something special.
Butternut Squash Soup with Cider - A smooth fall-flavored soup that I crave year-round.
Burritos or Chicken Tacos - The best chicken tacos and burritos use my seasoning mix and top it with Chili Onion Crunch.
Quick Korean Bulgogi - Elevate this 15-minute supper with a little spoonful.
Chinese Dumplings - I'm not above eating frozen dumplings and Potstickers, but this condiment makes them special.
Vegetarian Burger Patties - ohhhh... yes, please! The crunch, the richness, the added flavor. So good!
Scrambled Eggs, Omelettes, Deviled Eggs, Sausage Breakfast Smash Tacos, Amish Breakfast Casserole - all the eggs!
Pasta or Gnocchi
Stir Fries or Noodle Bowls
Veggies like Sauteed Green Beans, Roasted Broccoli, and Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
Hummus - even store-bought hummus is exciting when you top it with this condiment

FAQ

Do you refrigerate Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch?

No need to refrigerate this popular condiment. The oil will solidify if you put it into chill.

How hot is Chili Onion Crunch?

It's on the milder end of the scale. If you can tolerate a little bit of spice you will love this one. If you want it hotter--add dried chili flakes.

Can I use the crunchy chili onion oil to cook with?

I love frying my eggs in a spoonful of this spicy oil. Give it a try!

Homemade vs Store Bought

Why choose to make homemade chili crisp? A few reasons stand out to me:

Adjust Flavors - I can adjust the spice level to fit my family's preferences. Add more or less of anything I want.
Homemade is budget-friendly - I can whip up a jar of this tasty sauce in minutes with ingredients that I typically keep on hand.
Convenient - The closest Trader Joe's is a two hour drive and we love this stuff so much we need a more consistent source for the goods.

resting the spoon on the top of the jar of the crunchy chili onion.

Substitutions and Variations

Dried Garlic and Onions - adjust the amounts of these crunchy ingredients to match your desires. I buy mine at the local bulk foods store.

Chili Peppers - Use a chili powder you like the flavor of. If I want my finished topping to have a little extra heat I use Korean Chili Powder or add some red pepper flakes. If you have access, add a little dried red bell pepper.

Oil - I use olive oil for mine because that's what I typically have on hand. But you could certainly use other oils such as avocado oil, sunflower oil, etc.

Sesame Oil - for a deeper Asian flavor add 2-3 teaspoons of sesame oil.

Sesame Seeds - Add black or white sesame seeds for more crunch.

Sweet Touch - A little honey will amp up the sweet-spicy fun in this condiment.

Storing

Store at room temperature in an airtight container. Use within 3 months.

Spread a spoonful on your breakfast, lunch, and supper dishes!

Pairing

DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?

Questions? I'm happy to help! Please leave a comment below. I'll do my best to answer you quickly!

Lastly, if you made this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating! Let me know what you put Crunchy Chili Onion on.

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!

FOOD SAFETY

Wash hands before cooking
Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
Never leave cooking food unattended