Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp · i am a food blog (2024)

If you love spice, you’ll love chili crisp!

It’s deeply savory, not too spicy, and has little bits of crispy crunchy bits that are incredibly addictive. Anyone who’s tried chili crisp falls in love with it. It has a cult following, and for good reason. It’s a huge favor bomb, full of umami with just the rice amount of spice to keep you going back for more.

Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp · i am a food blog (1)

What is chili crisp?

Chili crisp is a Chinese infused oil that’s used as a condiment or sauce. It’s full of crunchy little bits: chili peppers, garlic, and soy beans.

Lao Gan Ma

The most well known chili crisp is Lao Gan Ma brand, with its ruby red oil, crunchy large flakes, and serious looking grandma on the jar. Lao Gan Ma (it means old godmother in Chinese) is incredibly popular in China. Lao Gan Ma was started by a woman named Tao Huabi, in 1996 when she created the company from nothing. It’s an inspiring story: Tao started selling rice noodles with chili oil to support her two young children after her husband passed. Soon, people came to her just for the chili oil, not the noodles.

Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp · i am a food blog (2)

With the help of her local government she opened a factory and now she’s a millionaire. Lao Gan Ma is beloved not only in China, but all over the world. It’s my favorite brand and I have a HUGE jar of it in the fridge right now. It has spicy with a hint of sweetness and has loads of caramelized chilies, crunchy soy beans, and garlic. There are several varieties but I always buy the classic spicy, the one without peanuts.

What can I substitute chili crisp with?

If you’re looking for that signature crunch, nothing will really be a close fit, but if you’re just looking for a chili flavor, there are plenty of spicy chili oils that you can use too. If you happen to have chili oil at home as well as crispy shallots, crispy garlic, and roasted soy beans, you can make an approximation by mixing them all up. Here’s a recipe for classic chili oil.

What is the difference between chili oil and chili crisp?

Chili oil has chilies, oil, and aromatics (that are usually strained out), while chili crisp has crunchy bits left in it adding textural crisp. The crunchy bits are usually things like: fried garlic, fried shallots, roasted soy beans, roasted peanuts, and crispy chili flakes.

Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp · i am a food blog (3)

Is it very spicy?

It depends on your spice tolerance. I don’t find it spicy. I think it’s a 5/10 on the spice scale, but I’ve also had some pretty spicy food in my life. It’s about as spicy as the dried red pepper flakes you can buy in spice aisle.

Where to buy chili crisp

You can find it at a local Asian grocery store or online. There are lots of artisanal versions out there too!

Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp · i am a food blog (4)

What does it taste good on?

EVERYTHING! It’s garlicky, spicy, crunchy and makes everything taste better.

What to make with chili crisp

  • Chili grilled cheese
  • Easy chili oil noodles
  • Chili oil wonton
  • White bean and barley stew with kale and eggs

Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp · i am a food blog (5)

Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp · i am a food blog (6)

Chili Crisp Recipe

Add savory spicy crunch to everything you love to eat!

Serves 2 cups

4.80 from 10 votes

Prep Time 4 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chili flakes Chinese preferred
  • 1 cup neutral oil
  • 1 inch ginger sliced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 green onions white part only
  • 1/4 cup fried garlic see note
  • 1/4 cup fried shallots see note
  • 1/4 cup dry roasted soybeans or edamame
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Place the chili flakes in a medium sized heat proof bowl. Set aside. Add the oil, ginger, bay leaf, star anise, cinnamon, and green onions to a saucepan and heat over medium-low until it starts to bubble gently and the green onions start to brown, 5-6 minutes, or until the oil reaches 300°F. When the time is up, carefully use a slotted spoon to remove and discard the aromatics, leaving the oil in the pot.

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  • Heat the oil in the pot until it is hot and shimmery, 350°F. Carefully pour the hot oil into the bowl with the chili flakes – it will sizzle and bubble up. The oil should be bright red. When cool, stir in the fried shallots, fried garlic, and roasted soy beans.

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  • Transfer to a clean jar and store in the fridge. Chili oil keeps pretty much indefinitely but I’m pretty sure you’ll use it up quickly.

    Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp · i am a food blog (9)

Notes

You can find fried garlic and fried shallots at any Asian grocery store.

Estimated nutrition based on 1 tbsp serving.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Chili Crisp Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 tbsp)

Calories 93Calories from Fat 76

% Daily Value*

Fat 8.4g13%

Saturated Fat 1.2g8%

Cholesterol 0.01mg0%

Sodium 19mg1%

Potassium 29mg1%

Carbohydrates 3.9g1%

Fiber 1.1g5%

Sugar 0.6g1%

Protein 0.9g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp · i am a food blog (2024)

FAQs

Why is lao gan ma so addictive? ›

Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp: A Crunchy Delight

These fried chili pieces help add a crunchy texture to recipes, making them more exciting and fun to eat. These same ingredients help create its signature garlicky, oniony, salty, spicy, umami-rich flavor that makes the condiment utterly addicting.

How to use laoganma spicy chili crisp? ›

How to use chilli crisp – Add into stir fries, noodles, soups, dipping sauces, dressings and fried rice for an instant flavour hit. See specific list above the recipe video.

What does Lao Gan Ma mean in English? ›

Lao Gan Ma (Chinese: 老干妈; also called Laoganma) or Old Godmother is a brand of chili sauces made in China.

Is Lao Gan Ma a woman? ›

Tao Huabi (Chinese: 陶华碧; born January 1947) is a Chinese entrepreneur, best known as the founder of the chili sauce brand Lao Gan Ma ("Old Godmother"). Tao is a member of the Chinese Communist Party and a National People's Congress deputy. In 2015, Forbes China estimated her net worth at $1.05 billion.

Why is Lao Gan Ma banned? ›

Lao Gan Ma has been at the center of legal controversies, not due to its ingredients or safety standards, but because of business disputes. A notable incident involved a fake contract that led to a legal battle between Lao Gan Ma and a tech company in China.

Is crispy chili oil bad for you? ›

Chilli oil can be healthy in moderation as it contains capsaicin, which may boost metabolism and have some health benefits. However, it's high in calories and should be consumed sparingly.

Do you refrigerate LaoGanMa spicy chili crisp? ›

And while some brands say it is okay to store chili crisp at room temperature, it is best kept in the refrigerator once opened, for maximum freshness and flavor.

Do you put chili crisp in the fridge? ›

Recommendations vary by brand, but most chili crisp or chili crunch doesn't need to be stored in the fridge. Most companies use garlic, shallots, and chiles that have been dried, which decreases the risk of bacterial growth.

Can you eat Lao Gan Ma raw? ›

c).

The Tomato Chili Sauce from Lao Gan Ma is a thin onion, garlic, and tomato sambal sauce that needs no cooking and can be eaten directly from the jar.

Why is Lao Gan Ma so popular? ›

Why Is Lao Gan Ma So Popular? This tasty condiment is so popular because of its consistency and versatile flavor.

What is the chili crunch lawsuit? ›

Momof*cku demanded they stop using the term “chili crunch,” a trademark the food giant bought last year after it was sued by Denver-based company Chile Colonial for “trademark infringement.” Momof*cku's letters sought to prevent the other companies from using the phrase, though it doesn't prevent the creation of chili ...

Is Lao Gan Ma popular in China? ›

Unlike others, LGM Chili Sauce has the more complex flavors than any other spicy hot sauces. A most popular brand in the China Health Food Industry. Some people call it "Happy Lady Sauce"or "Godmother Sauce".

Can you get Lao Gan Ma in the USA? ›

Through its growth and success, LAOGANMA has always remained dedicated to its core beliefs and family values. As of today, 1.3 million bottles of the sauces are produced daily and our products are sold in China, U.S.A, Australia, and over other 30 countries.

Does chili crisp have MSG? ›

Chili Crisp Flavor Add-Ins

Both the MSG and the mushroom powder give my chili crisp the mouthwatering and addictive quality found in the original Laoganma version. If you prefer not to use MSG, you can also omit it.

Who owns Lao Gan Ma? ›

That woman is Tao Huabi (陶华碧), who did not only develop the famous chili sauce, but also became the founder and CEO of the privately owned 'Lao Gan Ma Foodstuff Company' (老干妈风味食品有限责任公司).

How is spicy chili crisp used? ›

Drizzle this spicy chili crisp sauce on eggs, fried rice, toast, noodles, salads, pizza, and even ice cream. (Yes, literally everything.) Use it as a dipping sauce for dumplings or as a marinade for proteins to make your food taste that much bolder.

What does Lao Gan Ma chili crisp taste like? ›

Spicy, but not too spicy. It's actually a very complex flavor. Spicy and a little salty/sweet, but with a large umami kick. Garlic, chilis and onion and spices with fermented soy bean and canola oil.

What is the difference between chili paste and chili crisp? ›

Chili paste is a paste version of chilis similar to a texture of tomato paste, with a thicker texture. Chili crisp is a condiment of a fried pepper alongside other aromatics that are immersed in oil.

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