Move over, tomato sauce — chilli oil is here to spice things up in ways you never imagined. This fiery little bottle of liquid gold isn't just for dumplings (although we love it there too). From breakfast to dessert (yep, dessert!), chilli oil brings that kick of heat, and burst of umami. 

Ready to get wild? Let’s dive into 10 surprisingly brilliant ways to use chilli oil that actually work.

1. Drizzle on Vanilla Ice Cream - The creamy sweetness of vanilla paired with a mild, chilli oil is a flavour bomb. It’s like spicy-salty caramel with attitude. Just a light drizzle — don’t go overboard unless you like playing with fire.

2. Upgrade Your Avocado Toast - Smash it, salt it, then hit it with a swirl of chilli oil. Add a poached egg and boom — you’ve got yourself a café-worthy brekkie with edge.

3. Mix It Into Mayo for the Ultimate Dipping Sauce - Chilli oil mayo is the dip you didn’t know your hot chips needed. Stir a spoonful into your mayo or aioli, and dip away. Bonus points for pairing with sweet potato fries.

4. Make Spicy Popcorn - Melt a little butter, mix in chilli oil, drizzle over freshly popped popcorn and toss with sea salt. Perfect for movie nights or impressing your spice-loving mates.

5. Level Up Your Instant Noodles - We’re not saying instant ramen isn’t already a staple. But add a spoonful of chilli oil and suddenly you’ve got a gourmet noodle bowl that tastes like it came from a late-night street food market in Asia.

6. Brush Over Pizza Crusts - Next time you order pizza, skip the garlic butter dip. Instead, brush chilli oil over the crusts. That leftover crust section will become the best bite of the whole pie.

7. Spice Up Scrambled Eggs - A swirl of chilli oil into your eggs just before they finish cooking gives them a silky texture and a subtle (or intense) kick. Breakfast never looked so bold.

8. Add to Your Cheese Board - Drizzle chilli oil over burrata, feta or a creamy brie. It adds heat, depth and total wow factor. Pair it with honey and crackers — it’s a fancy snack you’ll want to serve at every gathering.

Chilli oil is the MVP of your pantry — versatile, addictive, and a little bit mischievous. Whether you’re into heat or just love bold flavours, these wild ways will totally transform the way you see this spicy staple.

Got your own weird-and-wonderful chilli oil hacks? Tag us on socials and share the heat! 🌶️🔥