Spicy Aioli Recipe

Great with fries, on a burger, and especially with chicken tenders, this spicy aioli recipe is creamy and full of heat.

It’s the ideal dipping sauce for when plain old mayo just won’t cut it.

Spicy aioli recipes should include good quality mayonnaise along with garlic, lime juice, and hot sauce or Sriracha. Mince the garlic, or roast it for a deeper flavor, then whisk everything together until it’s smooth.

Easy Spicy Aioli Recipe

As the name suggests, spicy aioli should be hot. I like to use Sriracha because it’s got a great flavor profile, but you could use:

• Chipotle peppers
• Chili powder
• Hot sauce
• Aleppo pepper
• Adobo sauce
• Horseradish
• Wasabi
• Jalapeños

I like to add lime juice for a zip of freshness, but it’s not mandatory. If you like aioli smooth and creamy, you can leave it out.

Ingredients 

There are a few different ways to make spicy aioli, but the easiest is with a food processor. That makes it wonderfully smooth.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Mayonnaise - you can use full-fat or low-fat, depending on your preferences. Full-fat mayo will give you a richer flavor.
• Garlic - aioli should always have garlic - the more, the merrier. If you want added taste, try roasting it first.
• Sriracha - made using chili peppers, white vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt, it’s got a terrific flavor profile that’s balanced and spicy without being overly acidic (like some hot sauces can be).
• Lime juice - fresh lime juice will cut through the creaminess and add a nice zesty taste.
• Sea salt - add a pinch to balance it all out.

How To Make Spicy Aioli

You could make this totally from scratch. It’s honestly not that hard.

But to save on time, just buy some from the store. And be sure it’s decent mayo since it’s the base of the sauce.

1. Add the mayonnaise, garlic, Sriracha, and lime juice to a food processor and blitz until smooth.
2. For a boost of garlicky goodness, roast the garlic, then add it to the mix (once cool).
3. Add salt to taste and enjoy.

How to Roast Garlic

Roasted garlic is incredibly versatile and can be used in a ton of different recipes.

Unlike regular garlic, it’s much more mellow and has a slightly sweet flavor. In fact, it’s so mellow, you can spread it straight onto toasted bread.

You can also mash it with potatoes, mix it into sauces, or add it to roasted meats.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• Whole Garlic Bulb
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Peel off the loose outer layers of the garlic bulb skin, but keep the bulb pieces intact.

3. Lay the bulb on its side and slice off the top, exposing the tops of the cloves.

4. Place the bulb on a piece of foil large enough to wrap around and encase the whole thing.

5. Drizzle the olive oil over the exposed bulbs and sprinkle the salt and pepper over the top.

7. Wrap the foil around the top of the bulb so it’s sealed inside. Then, place the foil packet on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.

9. Roast the garlic for about 40-45 minutes, or until the cloves feel soft and look golden brown.

10. Remove the roasted garlic from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.

11. To use roasted garlic, gently squeeze the bulb from the bottom. The soft cloves will pop out.

How To Use Spicy Mayo

The beauty of making spicy mayo at home is that you can control just how hot it is.

So if you like warmth but prefer to feel your tongue, cut back on the Sriracha. But if you like it over-the-top fiery, try it with extra chili peppers!

When you have the recipe to your liking, it’s time to serve. And there are a ton of tasty options:

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Marinate chicken in a mix of buttermilk and pickle juice. Then drip off the excess and dredge it in flour.

Fry the chicken until golden and crispy, then make the sandwich.

Spread a decent layer of spicy mayo over the top and bottom of a brioche bun. Nestle the chicken on top and add a generous scoop of crunchy slaw.

Serve with sweet potato fries, and enjoy!

Nachos

Layer your choice of tortilla chips on a baking tray lined with foil. Shred some decent cheddar cheese over the top and pop the tray under the broiler.

Keep the heat on medium and check on the cheese after a couple of minutes.

Add your choice of taco meat, pulled pork, or shredded chicken with sliced jalapeños, salsa, and guac.

Then drizzle over the spicy mayo. Yum!

Monster Burger

Make a simple burger patty with ground beef and onion soup mix. Feel free to add seasonings you like, but the soup mix brings a ton of flavor!

Fry the patty in a skillet with some bacon. At the same time, oven-bake or deep fry some crunchy onion rings.

Spread the spicy mayo over the top and bottom bun, then add the cooked burger. Top it with the bacon and onion rings.

Add a handful of shredded mature cheddar and a drizzle of BBQ sauce. Delish!