Copycat Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch Recipe (2024)

56 · Jul 27, 2019 · Updated June 10, 2021 · 32 Comments

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.

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.

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.
• DoNOT 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.

Where to Find the Spices for This

Now resist any temptation to use anything fresh in this recipe. It won't be shelf stable and most olive oils solidify in the refrigerator. So you need dehydrated spices. I personally use Penzey's Spices. I'm not an affiliate for them (and nor are the links in this section).

Yes, you could get some of these off of Amazon, but they do offer really good coupons and deals. If you live close to a store its an amazing place to go to sniff everything and experience it for yourself.

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.

So why would you want to buy any of this?

I can't tell you how many times it's been easier to reach for the dehydrated item, than fresh. I sometimes misjudge or my plans of making a certain recipe don't come through. Once in a while a fresh item is past its prime when I get to making a certain dish. These items can be used in a wide variety of dishes and aren't one trick ponies. These are all great items to keep 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

Winter Wassail co*cktail

Winter Wassail Mulled Wine

I hope you enjoy thisCopycat Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch Recipebelow!

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!

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