To recreate the spice of hot paprika, the best substitute is another dried chilli, like ground cayenne, aleppo pepper powder, crushed red pepper flakes, red chilli powder, or even a dash of hot sauce. If your recipe calls for smokiness and sweetness, try chipotle chilli powder or ancho pepper powder. Chipotle powder has a smoky taste, but is hotter than paprika with a more earthy flavour, lending itself to barbecue sauces, rubs and chillis. Due to the difference in heat, use a ¼ teaspoon of chipotle powder for every teaspoon of paprika and adjust depending on your taste buds.

If you’re looking to replicate the flavour of sweet paprika add a pinch of sugar or some honey. Adding mild chilli powder or tomato powder works too. Bell peppers are another great substitute for sweet paprika and they come from the same Capsicum annuum family. Mild, sweet and aromatic, bell peppers give the same delicious taste and aroma, while adding a splash of colour too. When buying your bell peppers, make sure they’re nice and ripe.

One of the best substitutes for paprika is cayenne pepper. It’s a spicy chilli pepper, used to flavour many different cuisines and quite similar in colour. It’s a lot stronger and hotter than paprika, so if you’re using it as a substitute in your cooking, make sure you use a lesser quantity. If you have a lower tolerance to spicy food, you can add salt, cream, chopped tomatoes or more liquid (water or broth) to try and dial down the heat.

Like paprika, chilli powder packs a lot of flavour and is another worthy substitute. It’s also not as spicy as cayenne pepper, so you can use the same quantities.  The same goes for cajun spices. A combination of black and white pepper, plus other herbs and spices, it can work as a good substitute for smoked or sweet paprika, offering a similar flavour. But you won’t get the same beautiful red colour – more of an orange, warm hue.

You can also use cumin instead of paprika. But it’s a lot hotter, so go easy on the quantities. Like cajun spices, you won’t achieve the gorgeous red colour of paprika, as cumin has more of a yellowy-brown colouring, but you’ll still get an earthy flavour with hints of bitterness and sweetness.

Spanish paprika, also known as pimentón, is another popular variety that is made from smoked peppers. It has a distinct smoky flavor and is often used in traditional Spanish dishes like paella and chorizo.

CHILLI POWDER

Overall, while allergic reactions to paprika and bell peppers can occur, they are generally safe for consumption and have therapeutic uses. Individuals who experience allergic reactions should seek medical attention, while those looking to incorporate paprika and bell peppers into their diet may benefit from their nutritional and anti-inflammatory properties.

If you look at any Hungarian recipe, paprika is sure to feature. Paprika is an essential ingredient in goulash, and chicken paprikash –  another popular Hungarian stew made from a creamy paprika sauce. If you’re looking for a winter warmer, try out our Italian chickpea, spinach and rice soup with smoked paprika, or Turkey meatballs served on a rice base of aubergines, smoked paprika and spinach – both delicious. Paprika is also a great addition to Jambalaya, a classic Creole shrimp and sausage dish made with rice, chicken, diced tomatoes and stock, and Moroccan lamb tagine. If you’re looking for an al fresco recipe to enjoy with friends in the summer sunshine, try paella. The vibrant colour of paprika paired with perfectly balanced flavours of sundried tomatoes and rosemary will help re-create the sun-soaked streets of Barcelona in your own back garden. If you’re making a chilli con carne, definitely add some smoked paprika into the mix. It will give your dish a deliciously smokey flavour. Looking for an appetizer to serve before a dinner party? Cheese twists are super simple (taking just 10 minutes to cook). Flavoured with plenty of grated cheese and smoked paprika, they add a wonderfully sweet flavour to the buttery puff pastry.