Chili Flakes
VegetarianCrushed red chili flakes bring a quick, adjustable heat that enlivens any pizza.
Crushed red pepper flakes are the universal pizza condiment, delivering immediate, tingling heat with a slightly smoky, fruity undertone. Sprinkled before or after baking, they add a customizable level of spice that cuts through rich cheese and fatty meats, brightening each bite.
Flavor Profile
Season: all year
Best Sauces
Pairs Well With
Pizzas with Chili Flakes
Three Cheese Spinach
San Marzano Red Sauce
“A triple-cheese triumph where ricotta clouds float over garlicky spinach.”
Chicken Broccolini Lemon
White Garlic-Parmesan Cream Sauce
“Bright lemon zest and charred broccolini cut through a rich garlic cream base.”
Potato Rosemary Pancetta
White Garlic-Parmesan Cream Sauce
“Paper-thin potatoes, crispy pancetta, and woodsy rosemary on a creamy white base.”
Pesto Sausage Fennel
Classic Basil Pesto
“Sweet Italian sausage meets shaved fennel and roasted peppers on a pesto base.”
Spring Pea Pistachio
Pistachio Pesto Sauce
“A bright spring pizza with lemony ricotta, crushed pistachios, and herbal freshness.”
Pistachio Nduja Honey
Pistachio Pesto Sauce
“Spicy nduja, creamy burrata, and hot honey collide on pistachio pesto.”
Truffle Bacon Corn
Truffle Cream Sauce
“Sweet summer corn and smoky bacon go luxe on a truffle cream base.”
Gochujang Mushroom Miso
Gochujang Cream Sauce
“A double-fermented umami explosion with mushrooms, kimchi, and a runny egg.”
Gochujang Cauliflower
Gochujang Cream Sauce
“Roasted cauliflower gets a Korean glow-up with gochujang cream and charred corn.”
Gochujang Chorizo Sweet Potato
Gochujang Cream Sauce
“Smoky chorizo and sweet squash find unexpected harmony on gochujang cream.”
Vodka Pepperoni
Vodka Cream Sauce
“The iconic vodka sauce meets its soulmate: crispy cup pepperoni.”
Brown Butter Butternut
Brown Butter-Sage Sauce
“Roasted butternut squash and fried sage float on nutty brown butter perfection.”
Brown Butter Sausage Apple
Brown Butter-Sage Sauce
“Sausage and caramelized onion on brown butter sage — Thanksgiving on a pizza.”
Brown Butter Pumpkin Ricotta
Brown Butter-Sage Sauce
“A seasonal stunner with roasted pumpkin, ricotta clouds, and crispy sage.”
Verde Chicken Elote
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
“Mexican street corn meets salsa verde chicken on a pizza that screams summer.”
Verde Shrimp Avocado
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
“Zesty tomatillo salsa verde meets bright scallion, Cotija, and jalapeño.”
Verde Carnitas
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
“Smoky, crispy pulled pork vibes on a tangy tomatillo salsa verde base.”
Shrimp Scampi
San Marzano Red Sauce
“This sea-kissed pizza starts with San Marzano Red sauce and tops it with Shrimp, Roasted Garlic, Lemon Zest, and Chili Flakes finished with a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, delivering a upscale experience suited to sunny summer days.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you add chili flakes to pizza?
Adding chili flakes before baking allows their oils to infuse into the cheese and sauce. Sprinkling after baking provides a more immediate, raw heat. Many pizzerias offer both options.
What are pizza chili flakes made from?
Standard pizza chili flakes are made from dried cayenne peppers, but gourmet options include Aleppo pepper, Urfa biber, or Calabrian chili flakes, each offering different heat levels and flavor profiles.