chili crisp review
NM Brands Original Chili Oil (Hot AF)
A tier: Strong picks we keep coming back to
"NM stands for Not Mediocre. It is not. Hot AF but you can still taste everything."
At a glance
- Category
- chili crisp
- Style
- Not Mediocre
- Brand based in
- USA
- Oil base
- sunflower + sesame oil
- Seed-oil free
- No
- Price
- $$
- Small batch
- Yes
Disclosure: this jar was sent to us by the brand. Free jars don't buy tiers; our tier list has a B row and we're not afraid to use it.
If I want someone to feel my pain, I will bring this to them.
NM stands for Not Mediocre, and the jar says Hot AF. Truth in advertising on both counts.
First impressions
The packaging is genuinely great: bright yellow label, clean logo, safety seal on the side. Inside: chonky crisp (about 60% crisps to 40% oil), with the crispy bits sticking together in the best way. It smells spicy before the spoon is even out.
The taste test
It is hot AF. But this is the part that earns the tier: it’s a good spicy where you can still taste everything. After the initial heat, there’s a distinct vinegar note, and the chili leans dark-roasted and bold.
Verdict
A tier. Bold, hot, surprisingly versatile, not too oily. If your household splits between heat-seekers and flavor-seekers, this jar somehow serves both. The heat-seeker gets their pain, and there’s real flavor underneath for everyone else.
Built on sunflower and sesame oil. Thank you, NM Brands. Mediocrity successfully avoided.
Best on
- sharing your pain
- noodles
- rice
- eggs
Skip it if
- heat is not the point for you; it says Hot AF and means it
Keep tasting
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