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Sriracha Brownies

Sriracha Brownies – Chewy, ultra chocolatey with just the right amount of spicy kick! Can be homemade or from your favorite boxed mix.

Split image of Sriracha brownies on a white plate.

This post has been updated from its original February 12, 2015 publishing with new content, re-edited photography, and recipe clarification including additional baking methods.

Yes, you’ve read that correctly.

Sriracha.

Brownies.

Together.

They are spicy, chocolately, chewy, and delicious.

Chocolate paired with chili peppers

Both chocolate and chili peppers originated in the New World (i.e. North, Central, and South America). The idea to combine the two is not a new idea. Ancient societies used both together.

Close up, detailed shot of chili infused chocolate brownie dessert showing their chewy texture.

Just like coffee, the cacao beans have to be roasted to produce the desired flavors. Also like coffee, how and for how long the beans are roasted, different flavors are produced.

If you’ve eaten any variety of peppers before, you know they all have a unique taste.

Blending different chocolate ‘roasts’ with different varieties of peppers can produce some amazing flavors.

Check out any artisanal chocolate line and you’re bound to find a chocolate bar infused with chili peppers.

I even added chocolate to my pork and sweet potato chili, the flavors were perfect.

Spicy Chocolate Brownies

Top down view of a stack of brownies made with Sriracha sauce on a white plate. The pepper sauce in the background.

Chipotle and cayenne pepper seem to get the majority of the attention when pairing with chocolate. I have had and love pot-de-cremes made with both.

For pure curiosity reasons, I wanted to make chili pepper infused brownies. Brownies are my favorite dessert after all.

Having had all the standard or more common chocolate and pepper pairings, I decided to use Sriracha.

Some friends were very enthusiastic over it.  Others were near frightened over the thought.  A third group was skeptical but willing to try them.

How to Make Sriracha Brownies

First off, if you want to make brownies with Sriracha using your favorite box mix, see notes in the recipe card.

Ingredients needed to make brownies infused with chili sauce.

I like to get all my ingredients out and measured before I begin cooking or baking. It makes the process easier and smoother.

This recipe calls for three different types of chocolate. I know that may sound like overkill, but I promise it’s not. It’s worth it.

Some of the chocolate required a bit of preparation as well. You can use a small hand grater to ‘grate’ the baking squares or chop them with a sharp chef’s knife for easier and quicker melting.

Three different types of chocolate needed to make this brownie recipe: dark chocolate chips, unsweetened bakers chocolate and cocoa powder.

Melting the chocolate is the first step. Whisk the instant coffee, cocoa powder, and boiling water together, until the powders have dissolved. Then add the solid chocolates, stirring constantly until they are all melted and combined.

Continue by incorporating the wet ingredients one by one, the butter, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Then the sugar and Sriracha sauce.

The flour and salt are the last to be added. Once fully combined, pour the batter in to a greased baking pan.

Bake, cool completely, and enjoy these delicious yet different treats.

Brownie batter poured and smoothed into a prepared baking pan.
Baked brownies with the perfect box-mix-like crust cooling.

Adaptations for making spicy chocolate brownies.

  • Use more or less Sriracha per your own heat tolerance. These were not burn-your-mouth hot. A small heat is felt, nothing more.
  • If omitting the unsweetened chocolate, increase chips by 2 oz., but decrease sugar by a half-cup at least.
  • If using higher than 60% cacao dark chocolate, increase sugar by up to a quarter cup. The higher the dark percentage, the less sweet the chocolate becomes which will affect the overall sweetness of the brownies.
  • Milk chocolate chips are not recommended for this recipe.
A stack of hooey-gooey brownies on a white plate that have been made using Sriracha sauce.
Stack of brownies on a white plate.

Sriracha Brownies

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American Fusion
Keyword: Spicy Brownies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 602 kcal
Author: Michelle De La Cerda

Sriracha Brownies are a chewy, ultra chocolatey treat with just the right amount of spicy kick!

Print

Ingredients

  • cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp instant coffee espresso powder will work
  • cup boiling water
  • 2 oz unsweetened chocolate finely chopped
  • 6 oz 60% cacao dark chocolate chips
  • ½ cup butter (1 stick); melted
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • cups sugar
  • cup flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp Sriracha

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F.

  2. Whisk together cocoa powder, instant coffee, and boiling water together in large bowl until smooth.

  3. Add unsweetened chocolate and chocolate chips; whisk until chocolate is mostly melted.

  4. Whisk in melted butter and oil. (Mixture may look curdled.)
  5. Add eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla; continue to whisk until smooth.

  6. Whisk or stir in sugar until fully incorporated.

  7. Add the Sriracha.

  8. Add flour and salt; stir until combined.

  9. Scrape batter into 9×13 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. (Butter or oil works too, wipe off any excess.)

  10. Bake until toothpick inserted halfway between edge and center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes.
  11. Transfer pan to wire rack and cool 1½ hours.

  12. Cut, serve, and enjoy

Recipe Notes

How to make Sriracha Brownies from a box mix?

  • Prepare the batter your favorite box mix per package directions. 
  • Only use 2 eggs for chewier brownies instead of the cake-like 3 egg method. 
  • Stir in the Sriracha to the prepared batter.
  • Bake per package directions.

Suggestions for making brownies from a box mix even better.

  • Grate 2-3 tbsp of your favorite dark or milk chocolate bar into the batter for increased chocolate flavor. 
  • Use 1 tsp instant coffee mixed into the water when making the batter or use warm (not hot or cold) coffee in place of the water.

 

Recipe adapted from Cook’s Illustrated, March & April 2010 issue.

Nutrition Facts
Sriracha Brownies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 602 Calories from Fat 279
% Daily Value*
Fat 31g48%
Saturated Fat 22g138%
Cholesterol 96mg32%
Sodium 419mg18%
Potassium 245mg7%
Carbohydrates 80g27%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 56g62%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 383IU8%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 77mg8%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Thank you for sharing!

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49 Comments

  • Reply
    Debi @ Life Currents
    February 12, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    I would love these! I saw some Sriracha candy once and haven’t worked up the courage to make it, but keep dreaming about it. your brownies look fabulous. Yumming for later!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 12, 2015 at 6:39 pm

      Thank you Debi, they are good, gooey, chocolaty and spicy.

  • Reply
    Patricia @ Grab a Plate
    February 12, 2015 at 9:07 pm

    OhmyWOW! I love brownies with spice to them, but never thought to use Sriracha. Brilliant! These look fab!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 12, 2015 at 9:51 pm

      Thank you Patricia. These are fun.

  • Reply
    Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
    February 12, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    I love chocolate and Sriracha so I know I’d like these!

  • Reply
    Healing Tomato
    February 12, 2015 at 10:31 pm

    5 stars
    Only you can take sriracha and turn it into a romantic dessert for Valentine’s Day. I am always searching for spicy and sweet desserts. Now, I can’t wait to try these brownies.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 13, 2015 at 12:40 am

      Haha, Thank you HT, they are so gooey and good.

  • Reply
    Arman @ thebigmansworld
    February 13, 2015 at 12:48 am

    Michelle, this is epic. I knew chilli + chocolate was a trend in 2015 as was sriracha but not together- You’ve hit the nail on the head.

    Sending to my sister to make!! (She’s the baked good queen ha)

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 13, 2015 at 4:41 pm

      Thank you Arman! They are awesome. Hope you and your sister love them.

  • Reply
    Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
    February 13, 2015 at 7:12 am

    I’m very intrigued by this combo, they look amazing!!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 13, 2015 at 4:41 pm

      They are so yummy. But I can only eat them in small amounts.

  • Reply
    Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
    February 13, 2015 at 9:18 am

    My son is in love with Sriracha. He puts it on everything! I think he would go crazy for these brownies. Pinning to surprise him with one day!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 13, 2015 at 4:42 pm

      That’s wonderful that he loves the Sriracha. It’s wonderful stuff. Hope he loves them.

  • Reply
    Fabiola@notjustbaked
    February 13, 2015 at 11:50 am

    i cannot even express how much I want this right now!!!!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 13, 2015 at 4:42 pm

      Hope you get to make them soon.

  • Reply
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
    February 13, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    I’ve never actually done the chocolate/spicy combo!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 13, 2015 at 4:43 pm

      I was slow to it as well. But I love it.

  • Reply
    Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3
    February 13, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    I worked at a coffee shop when I was younger, and we served a spicy hot chocolate that I bet tasted similar to this– it was so yummy! The spiciness really brings out the chocolatey flavor! Pinning!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 13, 2015 at 9:14 pm

      Thank for the pin, it has some coffee in it to, so the flavors are really intensified.

  • Reply
    Anita
    February 13, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    Such a natural next step from chili and chocolate! I can see these becoming the next big thing!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 14, 2015 at 12:32 am

      Thank you Anita, they sure have been a hit with everyone here.

  • Reply
    Joy @ Joy Love Food
    February 15, 2015 at 3:41 pm

    Yum! I love this idea to use sriracha in brownies!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 15, 2015 at 10:22 pm

      They are so good Joy, I’m addicted.

  • Reply
    Brandy M.
    February 16, 2015 at 8:24 am

    What a unique twist on a family favorite. I admit I love Sirracha sauce but would never have dreamed of adding it to my brownies. Thanks!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 16, 2015 at 9:20 am

      Thank you Brandy, it’s a unique combo for sure, but really good.

  • Reply
    peter @feedyoursoultoo
    February 16, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    These look good and dangerous.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 16, 2015 at 5:53 pm

      Have milk or ice cream and you’ll be just fine!

  • Reply
    Linda (Meal Planning Maven)
    February 16, 2015 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    Loving the spicy kick in these chocolatey treats! Wow!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 16, 2015 at 5:55 pm

      They do have a kick! Enjoy Linda, thank you.

  • Reply
    CarriesExpKtchn
    February 18, 2015 at 5:47 am

    I’m on a Sriracha kick lately and mixed with my favorite dessert…These sound like pure perfection to me!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 19, 2015 at 1:08 am

      Thank you Carrie…they are really great.

  • Reply
    Renee@ Two in the Kitchen
    February 18, 2015 at 6:39 am

    These brownies look amazing! I love that you included sriracha in them!!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 19, 2015 at 1:10 am

      Thank you Renee, they were fun.

  • Reply
    Jenna
    February 28, 2015 at 5:38 am

    Would I be able to bake these as individuals? Say maybe in muffin cups?

    • Reply
      Michelle
      February 28, 2015 at 11:04 am

      Hi Jenna, I have not tested it this way, using muffin tins, but it should work. Use muffin liners to get them out easily, as they are gooey and only fill 3/4 full. Also adjust the baking time to around 15-20 minutes, but keep an eye on them. I consulted with a friend who is a baking genius, she suggested the oven at 375 vs 350. Good luck.

  • Reply
    holly waterfall
    March 30, 2015 at 10:30 pm

    Oh, I am totally intrigued by these brownies!! YUM-O!!
    And your pictures are gorgeous, making me want to grab one right through the screen

    • Reply
      Michelle
      March 30, 2015 at 11:53 pm

      Thanks Holly. I’ve been toying with making them again, they were that good.

  • Reply
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  • Reply
    Chandler
    October 14, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    Can I use boxed brownie mix instead?

    • Reply
      Michelle
      October 14, 2015 at 8:56 pm

      Yes. Make like the package says, just add the sriracha into the batter.

  • Reply
    Mary
    December 3, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    These look and sounds delicious! My Hubby and I have just gotten started on the Sriracha bandwagon (better late than never) and these brownies will be our weekend dessert! Thanks.

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      December 3, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      Thank you Mary, hope you enjoy them. Adjust the amount of sriracha for your own taste level.

  • Reply
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  • Reply
    Ash
    February 14, 2020 at 11:06 pm

    5 stars
    This is seriously the cutest! You are a creative genius and I want one for all of my parties this year. Pinned!

  • Reply
    mimi rippee
    February 15, 2020 at 7:59 am

    Oh I bet these are good! When I catered I used to make a chocolate espresso cookie with cayenne, and everyone loved them! that’s what these remind me of. Yum.

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