If you have found Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch to be missing from your local store, then fear not. With this copycat recipe, I've got you covered. With a handful of pantry items you too can make this at home and tailor it to your liking.
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I can't tell you how many posts via social media I've seen of people looking to buy Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch, but their local stores have run out of it. I've even heard tales of people driving for hundred of miles to try to find some.
But this is one of those items that is relatively easy to replicate at home. There is nothing weird or commercial about the shopping list on this one. Just things that are going to make you shop outside of Trader Joe's.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Pantry-stable flavor bomb: No fresh ingredients means no mystery mold-just pure, spicy crunch.
- Super versatile: Use it on eggs, toast, pasta, pizza, tacos-heck, even ice cream if you're wild.
- Budget-friendly: Fetching a jar from the store is so 2020.
Tips for Making This Recipe
Here are my best tips for making my Copycat Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch:
- Use only dehydrated spices and do NOT rehydrate them.
- Do NOT substitute granulated for the minced, it won't have much texture and it will be overwhelming in flavor.
- For best flavor, you'll need to heat the oil to infuse the heat of the chili pepper flakes and get the color from the paprika.
- Store in an air tight jar or container
- If you are on a reduced sodium diet, feel free to omit or adjust the salt as you see fit.
- If you like it spicier, then add more red chili flake.
- All my spices came from Penzey's in creating this recipe.
Now, it is possible that another brand has something similar, but I haven't tried it out to compare.
But here are the items you'll need to make this recipe (again these are NOT affiliate links) exactly the way I made it:
- Minced White Onions
- Minced Garlic
- Dried Red Bell Pepper Minced
- Toasted Minced Onions
- Medium Hot Chili Pepper Flakes
- Salt (Coarse or Flake style)
- Paprika
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil- not sold at Penzey's but odds are you probably already have this on hand.
Why Does This Recipe Work?
As I noted in my review of the original product, the magic is in the fact that the spices are dehydrated. Even though you are adding oil, you aren't actually adding any hydration in therefore they retain most of their crunchy nature.
Watch Me Make This (58 Seconds)
How To Make a Copycat Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch
Step 1. In a jar add dehydrated minced white onions, dehydrated minced garlic, dehydrated toasted minced onions, and salt. Add the dehydrated minced peppers and dehydrated minced garlic to a spice grinder and grind for about 10-15 seconds). Pour in to the jar. If you don't mind the larger garlic and peppers, then add them straight to the jar and skip using a spice grinder.
Step 2: In a pan, add EVOO, paprika, and chili pepper flakes. Heat until oil is about 250F or when you can smell the pepper flakes.
Step 3: Carefully add olive oil mixture to jar. When pouring into the jar the oil will be hot. Stir to combine. Take care to not touch the edges of the jar. When combined it is ready to use. If you aren't using it right away, then allow it to cool to room temperature and place a lid. Serve with pasta, potatoes, veggies, and even eggs (or some way that you are welcome to share in the comments).
Other Trader Joe's Inspired Recipes You Might Like
Copycat Oven Baked Cheese Bites
Spicy Jalapeno Limeade Margarita
I hope you enjoy this Copycat Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch Recipe below!
If you try this, would you mind hitting the "Rate" button? I'd love to know what you thought of it. If you modified the original recipe here, please let me know how it turned out. I love comments!
If you've tried this Copycat Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch Recipe or any other recipe on the blog, I'd love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.
Copycat Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Dehydrated Minced Onion White
- .5 tablespoon Dehydrated Minced Toasted Onion
- ½ teaspoon Salt Flake or Kosher
- 1 tablespoon Dehydrated Minced Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Dehydrated Mined Bell Pepper Red
- ¼ Cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon Red Chili Pepper Flake
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- In a clean and dry jar add the following dehydrated spices: onion, toasted onion, and salt. If your minced garlic and minced red bell pepper are a satisfactory size to you, then add it in also. If they are too large then, run them through a spice grinder for 5-10 seconds and add to the jar. I found these to be a bit large from Penzeys.
- In pan on low heat add olive oil, red chili pepper flakes, and paprika. Heat until you can smell the chili pepper flakes. You are looking to infuse the flavors, but not cook them. When oil turns red from the paprika and you can smell the chili flakes it is done.
- Carefully pour oil mixture into jar. Stir to combine spices.
- This is ready to use immediately or keep in a container.
Notes
- Use only dehydrated spices and do NOT rehydrate them.
- Do NOT substitute granulated for the minced, it won't have much texture and it will be overwhelming in flavor.
- For best flavor, you'll need to heat the oil to infuse the heat of the chili pepper flakes and get the color from the paprika.
- Store in an air tight jar or container
- If you are on a reduced sodium diet, feel free to omit or adjust the salt as you see fit.
- All my spices came from Penzey's in recreating this recipe.
Alek says
If you are lucky enough to live near a bulk spice store where you can scoop up the spices yourself. That would be a moneysaver.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! You are totally right on that one. But even just outside of NYC I lost my favorite one :(. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing!
Alek says
Curious what was the name of the favorite bulk spice store that you lost?
becomebetty says
Penzeys. They used to have a location in Carle Place.
Dagmar says
This sounds a little like Lao Gan Ma Crispy Chili Condiment (pic of angry woman on the jar is the joke).The stuff is awesome. I can't to try making your TJs copy cat recipe! And Penzeys is also online:)
becomebetty says
It is. From my understanding Lao Gan Ma is much spicier but that is something that is super easy to adjust for. If you do order the spices there is a bit of overlap between this and how to make everything but the bagel seasoning.
Sandy says
I went to Trader Joe’s to buy this and they no longer carry it. Thanks for sharing!
becomebetty says
Hey Sandy! I heard rumors they under estimated demand and that it will be back. In the meanwhile, maybe the copycat recipe can get you through
Jo Thrasher • Jo Eats says
This is the answer to my prayers. I haven't been able to find this stuff at any of our area TJ's!
becomebetty says
Thanks so much Jo! I don't know when they will have it in stock again. But it is easy enough to make at home. Thanks so much for stopping by!
lepiane says
I'll try it because TJ's Chili Onion is so good. this may be better!
becomebetty says
Hey Lepiane! If you get around to trying it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. You can also make it less salty or spicier depending on your preference. Thanks again for stopping by!
Jen says
I made a quadruple batch of this to give some to friends - really delicious and versatile. Thanks for the recipe! I’ve used it on eggs, crackers with cream cheese, tossed with cauliflower before roasting and in ramen so far!
becomebetty says
Hey Jen! So glad it came out good enough to make a quadruple batch. And again, thanks for sharing how it turned out.
Chelsea Cole says
Loved loved loved this copycat!!!
becomebetty says
Hey Chelsea! Thanks so much. So glad go hear you enjoyed it.
becomebetty says
Hey Chelsea! Thanks so much. I'm so glad it turned out well for you! Thanks again for taking the time to share your feedback.
lauragking says
I love this chili onion crunch, plan to give away as gifts!
becomebetty says
Thanks so very much! So glad you enjoyed it and are sharing it with others!
Jennifer says
I love this recipe! I actually bought my spices at the dollar store, a local Mennonite bulk flour and spice store, and used Korean red pepper flakes in place of the red bell pepper. My family said I am addicted and it is tastier than the original IMHO. I’ve told all my friends about this recipe. Thank you!!
becomebetty says
Hey Jennifer! Thanks so much for the feedback. So glad you loved it.