Add Spicy Chili Crisp To Your Ice Cream And Never Look Back

Chili crisp is undeniably having a moment. The crunchy, spicy, oil-based condiment takes almost any food to a whole new level. From rice bowls to pasta, it seems as though there's no food chili crisp can't improve, and this even extends to dessert. Yes, in addition to being a fantastic add-on to savory snacks, chili crisp can also top off sweet treats with ease. One dessert that favors chili crisp particularly well is ice cream.

Now, ice cream is no stranger to odd flavor pairings and toppings. Olive oil and ice cream are an established (if sometimes unexpected) duo, and a balsamic glaze can make a great finishing touch to strawberry ice cream. But the addition of chili crisp takes this unconventional flavor pairing to a new level, incorporating savory flavors along with a welcome bit of spiciness. While you may think this pairing has come out of left field, chili crisp on (and inside of) ice cream has gradually become a sleeper hit among foodies — and lovers of all things spicy.

Of course, adding an element of spice to ice cream isn't entirely new. Flavors like cinnamon and ginger have been known to appear in a cone or two. Chili crisp, however, brings a whole new dimension to the frozen treat. Chili oil can bring a nice layer of intensity to your bowl — its smooth, spiced oil base blends well with ice cream and adds a fun, crunchy texture (plus some contrasting savory flavors).

You might want to keep your base ice cream flavor basic, though. Adding chili crunch to a high-quality vanilla ice cream will create a perfect contrast between the smooth taste of vanilla and that chili bite. Chocolate ice cream also makes a great base for this topping — chocolate and chili crisp are frequent collaborators, as the latter helps highlight the richness of your chocolate dessert.

If that still doesn't seem crispy (or chili) enough, you can always incorporate the spicy sauce into homemade ice cream. Ribbons of chili crisp blended into your homemade batch always make for an interesting dessert — plus you can play with the base flavor, keep the mixture sweet and simple, or double up on the spice. You can even take your ice cream in a savory direction if that's what you're into.

Chili crisp isn't a one-size-fits-all condiment. Some blends favor spice and sweetness, while others lean into the taste of garlic or shallots. There are countless chili crisp brands out there to choose from, but if you want to truly customize your chili crisp experience, you can always try making a batch yourself.

A basic chili crisp recipe starts with a base of neutral oil and red pepper flakes. The mixture is then heated so the oil is suffused with spice. From there, the only limiting factor is your willingness to experiment. You can go in pretty much any direction when the time comes to add spices and other ingredients. Chopped peanuts can add a mellow note to your crisp that would pair well with ice cream. Alternatively, you can lean into spices that are often used in sweets by incorporating star anise or cinnamon. If you want to go full savory, try adding garlic, shallots, or onions. You can also make your mixture more complex by adding mushroom powder for a kick of umami, and MSG can kick your flavors up a notch, as well.