By Akshara
July 24, 2025
This simple chilli oil is packed with flavour from toasted spices and dried chillies. It’s perfect drizzled over noodles, eggs, dumplings, or even pizza. Once you make a batch, you’ll find it hard to stop using it.
½ cup neutral oil (like sunflower or rice bran) 2 tbsp dried red chilli flakes 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder (for colour) 1 tsp sesame seeds 2 star anise 1 small cinnamon stick 2 cloves 1 tsp crushed peppercorns 2 garlic cloves (sliced) Salt to taste
Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add star anise, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, and garlic slices. Let everything sizzle and infuse for 2–3 minutes.
Once garlic turns golden and aromatic, remove the pan from heat. Let it cool slightly for 2 minutes.
In a heatproof bowl, mix chilli flakes, Kashmiri chilli powder, sesame seeds, and salt. Carefully pour the warm oil (with the spices) over this mixture.
Let the oil cool completely before transferring to a clean, dry jar. Store in a cool, dark place and use as needed.