Aleppo Pepper is the Middle Eastern spice that’s about to transform your Mediterranean cooking! Here are 11 ways to use it every day.
Meet the “Swicy” (Sweet and Spicy) Seasoning of Your Dreams
I get it! No one wants to buy a spice for a single recipe only to have it linger in the back of a drawer forever. If you’re new to Mediterranean cooking, Aleppo pepper might be a mystery—but I’m here to help you put it to good use.
I’m sharing some of my favorite recipes and favorite ways to use this versatile spice in everyday cooking so you can get the most bang for your buck!
While most people reach for standard red pepper flakes when they want heat, they miss out on the complex, smoky depth of this Syrian chili. Aleppo pepper is much milder and fruitier than typical flakes. It provides enough heat to be noticed without overwhelming your palate, making it a perfect swap when you want other flavors in a dish to really shine, but you still want a little kick.
From traditional Turkish Çılbır to your Friday night popcorn, this spice can be a workhorse in your kitchen. Whether you’re looking for a quick kitchen shortcut or a way to add gentle warmth to your meals, these 11 tried-and-true ideas will ensure that jar never goes to waste. Trust me, you’re gonna love it as much as I do!
11 Easy Ways to Level Up Your Daily Staples with Aleppo Pepper
When I first moved to the States, finding Aleppo pepper could be a challenge! Now, it’s easier to find (including at our shop!), and I use it more liberally than ever. Here are some of the ways I use it in my kitchen!
- Snack better: Use this stovetop popcorn recipe, then sprinkle it with Aleppo and a few other spices for one of my favorite ways to enjoy whole grains! Or make sweet and spicy mixed nuts when you need some crunch!
- Upgrade your dips: Take hummus, create a shallow well in the center, drizzle generously with your best extra virgin olive oil, and dust generously with Aleppo pepper. Do the same with whipped feta or spinach dip. The fruity heat plays beautifully with anything creamy!
- Mix up an easy yogurt sauce: Stir Aleppo pepper into Greek yogurt with a little garlic, lemon juice, and salt for an easy sauce to drizzle over grilled meats, falafel, or roasted vegetables. The Aleppo pepper gives it this gorgeous peachy-pink color.
- Breakfast better: Add it to scrambled eggs, a fried egg sandwich, or a shakshuka. The fruity heat cuts through the richness of the yolks.
- Try my easy tomato salad: Chop two tomatoes, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, crumble feta cheese over the top, and finish with a liberal sprinkle of Aleppo pepper. That’s it!
- Sweet and spicy fruit: Sprinkle Aleppo pepper on grilled watermelon wedges or fresh mango and watch people’s faces light up with surprise. The combination of sweet, juicy fruit with that gentle heat is stunning. Flaky salt takes it over the top!
- Make sweet-spicy simple syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. Add a few spoonfuls of Aleppo pepper, bring to a simmer until the sugar dissolves. Then let it steep for 30 minutes before straining. It’s incredible in margaritas, palomas, tart cherry mocktails, and a great addition to watermelon lemonade.
- Elevate almost anything: Aleppo is a favorite finishing sprinkle, especially for avocado toast and pizza, whether take-out or homemade. Pair it with a drizzle of honey for a perfect swicy combo.
- Boost your soup: Blooming Aleppo pepper in warm olive oil makes a sunset-hued drizzle that’s the perfect finishing touch for lentil soup. Add a spoonful to your chicken stock for a little heat.
- Swap: Use Aleppo pepper in any recipe that calls for crushed red pepper flakes. It has a milder warmth with a welcome fruity, red chile flavor, but less heat!
- Vinaigrettes: Add 1 teaspoon of Aleppo pepper to your vinaigrettes. Drizzle over roasted vegetables, and add to pasta or grain salads, or drizzle over perfectly cooked fish.
Dig Deeper
I never have enough good things to say about bold Mediterranean flavors. If you want to learn more about the history of Aleppo pepper, read our guide, “What is Aleppo Pepper.” It will give you more information about (and more reasons to love) this spice.
Our Favorite
Aleppo Pepper
Mildly spicy, tangy, and fruity. These chili flakes are a versatile way to enhance almost any dish with rich, complex flavor.
