Another worthy replacement for smoked paprika is ancho chili powder. It’s made from dried and ground ancho chiles. This pepper is more common in Mexican cooking but found its way into the United States by way of Tex Mex cuisine. They offer mild to medium heat that only ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 SHU. It has a deep, smoky and slightly sweet flavor. For this reason, you don’t have to worry as much when using this as a replacement as it won’t overpower your dish as easily compared to chipotle powder. To use as an effective backup, you can incorporate exactly how much a recipe calls for smoked paprika.

Chili peppers are considered to be any of the fruits of the Capsicum genus that contain capsaicin, the compound responsible for the peppers' characteristic heat. The heat level of chili peppers is measured on the Scoville scale, which quantifies the amount of capsaicin present. Varieties of chili peppers range from mild to extremely hot, offering a wide range of options for adding heat to dishes.

Red pepper flakes, also known as crushed red pepper, are made from dried and crushed whole red chili peppers—including the seeds, which contribute to its heat. This spice is renowned for its ability to deliver a consistent, fiery flavor with a slightly fruity undertone, making it a favorite for sprinkling over pizza, pasta dishes, and stir-fries. Red pepper flakes are versatile and can be used in cooking or as a garnish to add a bit of spice to any dish.

This type of chili sauce is super popular served as a dip for chilled shrimp and other seafood, though it's a wonderful marinade, a general condiment for topping burgers and hot dogs, or for seasoning dishes like meatloaf.

With two specific varieties of chili powders included in my list, I can't miss including one that you surely have in your pantry: regular chili powder. But I want to emphasize that you must only use it as a substitute for Hungarian paprika when you have no other options.