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Chunky Peanut & Sesame Chilli Oil

A bold, crunchy chilli oil you’ll use on everything

Published Jan 19, 2026

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20 MINS

EASY

1 CUP

About the Recipe

This crunchy peanut and sesame chilli oil is all about balance. Toasted nuts bring richness and texture, sesame adds warmth, and the chilli oil itself is gently infused rather than aggressively hot. The result is layered, savoury, and incredibly versatile, with just enough sweetness to round everything out.


It’s the kind of condiment that quietly upgrades everything it touches. Spoon it over eggs, noodles, rice bowls, dumplings, or roasted vegetables, or use it as a finishing oil for soups and salads. It keeps well, gets better with time, and once you’ve made it, you’ll find yourself putting it on almost everything.

Chunky Peanut & Sesame Chilli Oil

by Samantha Tulett | City Slicker

COOK TIME

10 MINS

TOTAL TIME

20 MINS

CATEGORY

BASICS

SERVES

1 CUP

PREP TIME

10 MINS

INGREDIENTS

½ cup roasted unsalted peanuts 


2 tbsp sesame seeds 


¾ cup neutral oil, such as grapeseed or sunflower 


2 garlic cloves, finely minced 


1 tsp ginger, finely grated 


1 small shallot, finely minced 


3 tablespoons crushed dried chilli flakes 


½ tsp sugar 


1 tsp soy sauce 


Salt, to taste 

METHOD

1.

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the peanuts and sesame seeds and toast gently, shaking the pan often, until the peanuts are golden and fragrant and the sesame seeds are lightly browned. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Roughly chop the peanuts, keeping some halves for texture.

2.

Place the oil in a small saucepan and warm over medium-low heat for one to two minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and shallot and cook gently, stirring often, until softened and aromatic but not browned, about two to three minutes.

3.

Reduce the heat to very low. Stir in the chilli flakes and sugar and let them bloom in the oil for one to two minutes. Keep a close eye on the pan. The oil should be hot enough to release flavour, not so hot that the spices scorch.

4.

Remove from the heat and stir through the toasted peanuts and sesame seeds. Add the soy sauce and a pinch of salt, mixing well so everything is evenly coated in the spiced oil.

5.

Allow the chilli oil to cool completely in the saucepan before transferring to a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. The oil will thicken slightly as it cools, and the flavour will continue to develop over the next twenty four hours. Store in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks.

Tips

Keep the heat low when cooking the aromatics. Colouring the garlic or chilli flakes will turn the oil bitter rather than fragrant.


Use good-quality roasted peanuts with no added salt or oil for the cleanest flavour and best crunch.


Adjust the chilli flakes to suit your heat tolerance, but keep the oil gentle so the flavour stays rounded, not harsh.


If you can, let the chilli oil rest for at least 24 hours before using. The flavours deepen and mellow beautifully with time.

Nutritional Information

Makes approx 1 cup. Serving size 1 Tbsp. Approx per serve:

Calories: 122 | Fat: 13.2G | Carbs: 1.1G | Protein: 1.3G | Fiber: 0.5G | Sodium: 30G | Sugars: 0.1G

Recipe Notes

All recipes are written using metric and Celsius measurements. Unless otherwise stated:

  • Eggs are large, free-range.

  • Oven setting is fan-forced.

  • Spoon and cup measures are level.

  • Butter is unsalted.

  • Salt is fine sea salt.

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