Pronounced as “gwaa-hee-oh“, guajillo is hotter than ancho chili powder and brings a spicy kick that ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 SHU. Apart from its spicy taste, this substitute has a lot more going on in flavor than cayenne. It is pleasingly sharp, tangy, and smoky just like paprika. That is why it’s also a good substitute for both hot and smoked paprika.

Answer: No, they’re not directly interchangeable. When comparing paprika to crushed red pepper, it’s important to know that these two spices differ significantly in flavor and heat. Paprika, often made from sweeter peppers, provides color and a mild taste without much heat. Crushed red pepper, made from hotter peppers and seeds, offers a spicy kick. Substituting one for the other can change your dish’s flavor and spice level significantly, as paprika is milder and more about flavor, while crushed red pepper is all about adding heat.

Regular paprika is not necessarily the product of one specific chile but rather, can be a combination of several different peppers that meet the correct heat and color requirements. It usually comes from New Mexico, California, Hungary, or South America.