For dishes needing that punch of heat from red pepper flakes:

Regular Paprika + Cayenne Chili Powder + Cumin





Food scientists classify cayenne as a medium-hot variety of pepper. According to Colorado State University Extension, this spice clocks in at between 30,000 and 50,000 units on the Scoville scale, a method of measuring the amount of capsaicin in a hot pepper.
However, they are very different spices, with a very different flavor profile, taste and usage. Let us see how they are different and how they are similar.
In addition to sourcing high-quality paprika peppers, it is important to work with suppliers who use safe and effective solvents for extracting the pigments and essential oils from the peppers. Ethanol and acetone are commonly used solvents in the extraction process, and suppliers should ensure that the solvents are properly distilled and purified to meet food safety standards.
Many aspiring chefs take the question about cayenne and paprika one step further by asking about paprika vs chili powder vs cayenne.
Chili powder blends spice, warmth and complexity into dishes. In its absence:


So, how do you use crushed red pepper flakes to substitute for paprika in your recipes? You will need to add one-third of the amount to the same amount of paprika required in your recipe.