We finally boiled down to the last type: hot paprika, also called Hungarian paprika. Made with extra spicy red peppers, this variant packs a lot of heat compared to the first two types. That is why a pinch or a dash goes a long way for this spice. Use the following hot paprika substitute choices below: 

You may think of the famous Sriracha as a hot sauce (and it’s definitely used as one), but technically it’s a chili sauce by name on its own label (“Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce”.) It’s not like Tabasco or other dasher-ready hot sauces. It’s thicker, with hints of sugar and garlic. This is a sauce that can fit many chili sauce use cases in recipes.

Hot chili sauce is a type of condiment or table sauce made from chili peppers and other ingredients such as vinegar, sugar, and spices. It is usually used as a general spicy seasoning for various dishes or as a table condiment. The taste, ingredients, and peppers used in chili sauces vary greatly depending on the region where they are prepared.

Like regular chili powder, only use cajun spice when you're in a pinch or if it's the only Hungarian paprika substitute available in your pantry and you can't run to the grocery. That's because it contains several ingredients.

It's why when I use it to substitute hot paprika in my recipes, I combine it with chili flakes or powder. I usually add one-eight to one-fourth teaspoon of chili to a tablespoon of guajillo chili powder.

For example, lower concentrations of oleoresin Capsicum may be used to provide a mild to moderate level of spiciness in food products, such as salsas, hot sauces, and snacks. These formulations can offer a pleasant heat without being overwhelmingly spicy.