Don’t be surprised that once you try crushed Aleppo pepper (also known as the Halaby pepper), it’ll be hard to settle on generic chili powder or red pepper flakes again. It’s that tasty – a moderate medium heat (10,000 Scoville heat units), a touch of salt, with more than a hint of tomato-like fruitiness, raisin-y tang, and cumin earthiness. It’s the perfect spice pairing with Mediterranean cuisine, but it’s just as good as a spice rack staple for pizza, meats, stews, and even desserts.
Jalapeño reference scale:Near equal heat to 4 times hotter
Use:Culinary
Size:Approximately 2 to 3 inches long, curved
Flavor:Bright, Tart, Earthy, Salty
Where does Aleppo pepper come from?
These chilies are named after the city of Aleppo in Syria, a city well-known for its culinary heritage. They are grown mostly in Northern Syria and Turkey, and – in its crushed form – it’s a staple spice of Mediterranean foods of the region.
How hot is Aleppo pepper?
It’s hot, but not as hot as you may expect, especially in crushed form. The pods – which can be found in markets, but aren’t the typical way this pepper is sold – range around 10,000 Scoville heat units. That’s near the heat of the hottest possible jalapeño pepper or at the bottom range of the serrano pepper. It’s also well under the range of cayenne pepper, which is the base chili of many crushed red pepper recipes.
When crushed, it tends to be even milder than 10,000 SHU because commonly the seeds are removed from these chilies prior to crushing. Chilies carry much of their heat in their seeds.
What does it look like?
The Aleppo pepper pod is similar to a jalapeño: twoto three inches in length, long and slightly curved. Though, the Aleppo’s tip tends to form into a narrower point. They age into a deep red. But, again, this is not likely how you’ll become acquainted with this chili. It’s more commonly dried and crushed into flakes.
What does crushed Aleppo pepper taste like?
Think ancho pepper with a touch of salt and a little more heat. There’s a lot of complex flavors in crushed Aleppo. The chili has a tomato-like brightness, a touch of raisin tartness, and a cumin-like earthiness – all wrapped into one. Then there’s a hint of salt, which comes from the typical Aleppo drying process. The flakes are more oily than traditional red pepper flakes and not quite as hot. But, they are a whole heck-of-a-lot more flavorful which has led to many people making the switch from generic crushed red pepper to Aleppo pepper flakes for everything from pizza to soups.
How can you use it?
This chili is a staple for many Middle Eastern recipes, and for very good reason. The flavors of the chili pair very well with the savoriness of the foods of the region. Though, that’s just the beginning for this chili.
For those looking for a red pepper flake alternative with more flavor (though a less overall heat), the Aleppo pepper is one of the best options around. It can even be pulverized further into a powder, which is a perfect replacement for generic chili powder. Anywhere where you’d use those staple condiments is fair play for the Aleppo alternative – and it can really amp up the flavors of any dish. And don’t forget dessert: We find the savoriness of this chili to work terrifically with chocolate and dessert sauces.
Where can you buy Aleppo pepper?
Specialty spice stores may carry fresh flakes, and you can find crushed it jarred and available in some specialty grocers and at online retailers (Amazon). Don’t expect big-box grocery chains – even those with strong international sections – to carry this spice. It’s not likely.
Once you’ve added Aleppo pepper to your spice rack, you may find that it quickly takes over a prime easy-to-reach position. It’s that tasty and usable across many different types of dishes.
UPDATE NOTICE: This post was updated on October 7, 2021 to include new content.
Sprinkle it over eggs, pasta, or pizza to heighten the flavor, and add a little heat. It pairs wonderfully with foods with Middle Eastern or Mediterranean flair, so add it to punch up the heat and color in hummus, baba ghanoush, or in the classic red pepper dip, muhammara.
Aleppo chile flakes are used a lot in Turkish, Lebanese and Middle Eastern cooking. You can use Aleppo on kebabs, grilled or roasted chicken, seafood, in salad dressing or for topping off creamy yogurt-based dips to add a little heat. You could also sprinkle it on a tomato salad, toast, or season your eggs with it.
Antioxidant Properties Aleppo pepper is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C, which help combat oxidative stress in the body. These antioxidants play a role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases and supporting overall health. 4.2.
Aleppo pepper is made from deep red Halaby chile peppers, which hail from Syria. Unlike other chile pepper flakes, it is fairly mild, slightly tangy with a fruity finish that is akin to sundried tomatoes. The spice is named for the Syrian city of Aleppo, where the peppers were once grown in abundance.
Is Aleppo Pepper the Same as Paprika? Aleppo Pepper isn't the same as paprika, but they share very similar flavors, the only thing missing is the heat that comes from Aleppo peppers which can be replaced by adding a bit of cayenne.
Yes, Aleppo pepper is hotter than jalapeno. Aleppo pepper measures about 10,000 Scoville heat units, while jalapeno peppers have a heat level of 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville heat units.
Paprika - Derived from dried and ground peppers, paprika comes in various types, including sweet, smoked, and hot. While sweet paprika offers a milder flavor, hot paprika can provide a closer approximation to Aleppo pepper's heat.
Aleppo chile peppers are an excellent source of vitamins A and C and also contain capsaicin, a compound that creates the feeling of heat or spice and is believed to have antibacterial and some pain reduction properties when used topically on the skin.
The Maras and the Aleppo pepper are closely related and have a similar flavor profile; both are sour, sweet, and salty, both are a bit oily by nature, and both are fruity. But the Maras (or Marash) pepper, from the Turkish city of Kahramanmaraş, has a little bit more of a complex flavor profile.
Aleppo pepper is about the same heat as chipotle. However, the flavor is more characteristic of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. As well as being used in marinades for meat, Aleppo pepper is a popular addition in hummus and other vegetable dishes, such as roasted Mediterranean veggies and plant-based soups.
Urfa biber has a similar consistency as Aleppo pepper but it is much spicier. Aleppo pepper only reaches 10,000 SCU on the Scoville scale. And Aleppo pepper is lighter in color than Urfa biber. In addition to Urfa biber there are two other popular Turkish peppers: Kirmizi and Maras.
When sprinkled over roasted potatoes, the deep red waxy flakes of the Aleppo, a pepper that comes from Syria, do not just add flavor; they change the potatoes. Behind their pure nutty flavor, there is smokiness and a little spice.
However, with Aleppo Pepper, you are just getting little flakes of chilli skin, no seeds and a little vegetable oil added. This gives a not very hot, tasty and slightly textured chilli flake that is so easy to sprinkle on food, add during cooking or even sprinkle over a take-away pizza.
Aleppo pepper is roughly half as spicy as red chile flakes, clocking in at about 10,000 Scoville Heat Units, with a heat that builds slowly. It has a mild sweetness and tanginess with hints of raisin, citrus, and tomato notes, as well as a cumin-like earthiness and roasted flavor.
Ancho chili powder - Made from dried poblano peppers with a mild heat and a slightly sweet, smoky flavor. It's an excellent substitute for Aleppo pepper in recipes where you want a subtle heat and a little added smokiness.
Named after the Syrian city of Aleppo, these ruby red flakes offer a mild to medium heat that's far from overpowering. Instead, they provide a deep and fruity flavour, reminiscent of smoky and sun-dried tomatoes.
Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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