TREND BITES:
Chili Crisp
Chili Crisp is Heating Up Menus
- Sara Brewer
Spicy food is everywhere on foodservice menus, but there are still plenty of ways to turn up the heat with something new. According to Datassential’s recent “Spicy Flavors” report, 68% of restaurants serve at least one item they call “spicy.” Among those items, top performers combine a broad-appeal protein (like chicken!) with a flavor that's rapidly gaining popularity. For this Trend Bite we're digging into one with some serious potential: chili crisp. In fact, the "Spicy Flavors" report shared that chili crisp was added to 760% more menus over the past four years!
Spicy, savory, and packed with texture, chili crisp can give familiar favorites an exciting upgrade without requiring an entirely new concept. From appetizers and dips to chicken sandwiches and burgers, there are plenty of ways to get creative with it.What is Chili Crisp?
Chili crisp is an oil-based condiment typically made with chili peppers and crispy, crunchy ingredients like fried garlic, onions, or shallots. The result is a condiment that brings together heat, savory flavor, and texture in every bite. It's available in several premade varieties that range from mild to extra spicy.
Traditionally associated with Chinese cuisine, chili crisp can be spooned over foods or used as a condiment to give dishes like noodles, rice, and dumplings extra oomph. Its combination of on-trend heat and crunch also makes it a great addition to many items on menus across foodservice segments.Give Familiar Favorites a Flavor Upgrade
Want to try the trend without starting from scratch? Begin with something your guests already love and give it a chili crisp twist. Our Chili Crisp Chicken Burger recipe, for example, pairs a familiar chicken sandwich with a chili crisp mayo, pickled cucumbers, and coleslaw. Or you could add a chili crisp drizzle to Chicken Nachos for a spicy take on a shareable favorite.
This approach strikes a balance between familiarity and novelty. Guests get an exciting flavor to explore without having to venture too far outside foods they already know and love.Easy Recipes to add Chili Crisp to Your Menu
Chili Crisp Across the Menu
Chili crisp's versatility also creates opportunities to use the same flavor direction in multiple places across the menu. A chili crisp-inspired sauce developed for a wrap could become a coating for wings or influence the flavor of a dip. That versatility can be especially handy when planning LTOs or seasonal menu additions. Instead of bringing in a flavor for one menu item, look for ways to make it work harder across several applications.
As of today, Datassential's Menu Trends reports that chili crisp is on the menu at 81 restaurant chains. It's being served on boneless wings, in bowls, on fried chicken sandwiches, as a topping on roasted vegetables, and in seafood dishes. Don’t Overlook the Dipping Sauce
If you're wondering where to start experimenting, look to your sauce options. According to Datassential’s “Dipping Sauces” report, chili crisp is is being added to menus as a dipping option a a faster rate than any other sauce. It's expected to be featured on an impressive 13 times more menus over the next four years, taking it from 0.3% of menus today to 3.9% of menus in 2030.
Try a chili crisp-inspired dipping sauce alongside chicken tenders or wings, or put the flavor front and center in a shareable Chili Crisp Chicken Dip. Either way, dipping sauces offer an approachable way to let guests explore the flavor while giving you another place to put chili crisp to work.Chicken Staples for Your Chili Crisp-Enhanced Meals
Make Chili Crisp Your Own
The fun of chili crisp is that there's no one right way to use it. As this flavor gains momentum, you can use it as inspiration to create something unique, craveable, and right for your customers.
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