You can also use a spice grinder or food processor to make more of a chili powder to make your own spice blends. All you need, aside from your fresh chili peppers, is either a dehydrator or an oven. I prefer my dehydrator, as it is the most foolproof method. I usually pick many, many pounds of peppers from the garden each year and preserve as much of them as I can. See my Preserving Chili Peppers section for other methods, though homemade chili flakes are one of my favorites. When you purchase them from the store, you’re basically limited to the singular crushed red pepper flakes usually made from cayenne peppers, the same stuff you get at every pizza place across America. So let’s make our own! I HIGHLY recommend using a dehydrator for this, my friends. You CAN use your oven to dry your peppers, but the process is so much smoother and easier with a dehydrator. And yes, that is basically all we have to do is dry some of our favorite peppers. So let’s get drying. I often make crushed scorpion peppers for a crazy heat blast. You can even make them with bell peppers for a no-heat version. Set them into your dehydrator tray and dehydrate at 130 degrees F for 12 hours, or overnight. You may need to dehydrate longer, depending on the air conditions. If oven drying, you need to keep the heat at the lowest setting possible. Most ovens won’t go as low as 130 degrees. Learn more about How to Dry Chili Peppers, and also How to Dry Chili Peppers to Make Your Own Seasoning Blends. Like so… I hope you enjoy your homemade chili flakes! Actually, you DO know when you’re going to need them. When you’re eating! Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator - It’s an affiliate link, FYI. I started with a Nesco and still use it today. Also, if you enjoy dehydrating, check out my cookbook - The Spicy Dehydrator Cookbook: 95 Incredible Recipes to Turn Up the Heat on Jerky, Hot Sauce, Fruit Leather and More. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! – Mike H. Need help? How to Stop the Chili Pepper Burn On Your Skin. Also, the fumes from the chili peppers and/or the fine powders may get into the air if you are not working in a well ventilated room, so you may want to wear a mask and goggles. Superhot chili peppers, truly, are called superhots for a reason.
