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In a medium pot or deep pan, heat the groundnut oil over medium heat until it reaches 300°F (150°C). If you don't have a thermometer, test by adding a small piece of garlic; it should sizzle gently.

Add the sliced onion and chopped garlic to the hot oil. Fry, stirring frequently, until they turn deeply golden brown and become crispy. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.

Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the crispy onions and garlic from the oil and set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Keep the oil in the pot.

Reduce the heat to low. Add the whole dried red chilies, bay leaves, star anise, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, and sliced ginger to the same oil. Continue to heat and temper these spices for approximately 5 minutes to infuse their flavors into the oil.

After tempering, carefully remove and discard all the whole spices from the oil using a slotted spoon. Turn off the heat.

In a heatproof bowl, combine the crushed roasted peanuts, red chili flakes, rough chili powder, and sesame seeds.

Carefully pour the hot, tempered oil (from step 5) over the dry ingredients in the bowl. Immediately stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure the spices are 'cooked' by the hot oil and their aromas are released. The mixture will sizzle.

Add the previously fried crispy onions and garlic (from step 3) to the chili oil mixture. Season with salt, soy sauce, and the optional drizzle of honey if a touch of sweetness is desired.

Mix all the ingredients well until everything is fully combined. Allow the chili oil to cool completely before transferring it to a clean, airtight container for storage.


In a medium pot or deep pan, heat the groundnut oil over medium heat until it reaches 300°F (150°C). If you don't have a thermometer, test by adding a small piece of garlic; it should sizzle gently.

Add the sliced onion and chopped garlic to the hot oil. Fry, stirring frequently, until they turn deeply golden brown and become crispy. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.

Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the crispy onions and garlic from the oil and set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Keep the oil in the pot.

Reduce the heat to low. Add the whole dried red chilies, bay leaves, star anise, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, and sliced ginger to the same oil. Continue to heat and temper these spices for approximately 5 minutes to infuse their flavors into the oil.

After tempering, carefully remove and discard all the whole spices from the oil using a slotted spoon. Turn off the heat.

In a heatproof bowl, combine the crushed roasted peanuts, red chili flakes, rough chili powder, and sesame seeds.

Carefully pour the hot, tempered oil (from step 5) over the dry ingredients in the bowl. Immediately stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure the spices are 'cooked' by the hot oil and their aromas are released. The mixture will sizzle.

Add the previously fried crispy onions and garlic (from step 3) to the chili oil mixture. Season with salt, soy sauce, and the optional drizzle of honey if a touch of sweetness is desired.

Mix all the ingredients well until everything is fully combined. Allow the chili oil to cool completely before transferring it to a clean, airtight container for storage.
