Spicy aioli is the perfect spread for topping a sandwich or burger, and also makes a great dipping sauce! You only need four ingredients and about five minutes to whip up a batch of this creamy aioli.
This is so delicious!!! Made it to go in burgers to fantastic results. Dipped our fries in it and enjoyed it on a ham sandwich the next day… this will be a new staple for us. ★★★★★ -Dana
Recipe summary
Flavor/texture: Creamy, thick, tangy, spicy.
Great for: Dipping chicken tenders, topping a grilled burger, serving alongside grilled veggies.
Simple and quick. While not a traditional aioli, this quick aioli is made with a mayonnaise base along with lemon juice, fresh garlic, and cayenne pepper.
Serve with: Grilled Chicken Tenders, Homemade Chicken Nuggets, Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Similar to: Basil Aioli and Burger Sauce
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Mayonnaise - Feel free to use homemade or store bought mayonnaise.
- Lemon juice - Can be substituted with apple cider vinegar.
- Garlic - Fresh garlic adds the best flavor to your aioli, but it can be substituted with garlic powder if needed. Add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder to substitute two cloves of garlic.
- Seasoning - Salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper add flavor to your aioli. I highly recommend adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper to suit your tastes.
How to make quick aioli
- Add ingredients to a bowl.
- Stir until creamy and smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Storage
Your spicy aioli will keep for about 7 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. The flavor of your aioli, namely the garlic and cayenne pepper, will continue to get stronger as it sits.
Frequently asked questions
Traditionally, aioli is a creamy sauce that's made from an emulsion of olive oil and mashed garlic. Some versions of aioli include eggs and lemon juice, similar to a mayonnaise. Because of this, many "quick aioli" recipes are made with a base of mayonnaise to save time.
Since about 1990 (per Wikipedia), it is common for any type of flavored mayonnaise to be referred to as an aioli. The two have a similar consistency and are often used in the same ways, but can contain different ingredients. If you'd like to learn more, here's a great article on the subject: Bon Appetit - OK, What is Aioli, Anyway?
Spicy aioli can be used as a dipping sauce or spread. Use it in any situation where you'd normally use a creamy sauce or spread (like mayonnaise on a sandwich). A few ideas: hamburgers, brats, shrimp, chicken tenders, crab cakes, or on a veggie tray.
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📖 Recipe
Spicy Aioli
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, add mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Use as a condiment on sandwiches or as a dipping sauce for fries, chicken tenders, and more.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Spice level: 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper makes a spicy aioli. Add more for spicier flavor, or cut in half for a milder flavor.
- Storage: Aioli will keep for about 7 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Flavors (garlic and cayenne) will get stronger over time.
This is so delicious!!! Made it to go in burgers to fantastic results. Dipped our fries in it and enjoyed it on a ham sandwich the next day… this will be a new staple for us.
We love this super easy, quick to make sauce. We've made it a few times and use it to dip our cauliflower in it after we cook the cauliflower in our air fryer for about 20 minutes @ 400. Perfect for an appetizer or something to enjoy and simply skip dinner! Absolutely delicious.
Correction 10 minutes of cook time on the cauliflower, sorry about that typo.