The primary distinction between crushed red pepper and paprika lies in their flavor profiles and heat levels:

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.

Allergies and Sensitivities: While capsicum oleoresin is generally safe, individuals with known allergies to peppers or related plants should exercise caution. Allergic reactions to capsicum oleoresin can occur in sensitive individuals, leading to symptoms such as skin rashes, hives, or, in severe cases, anaphylaxis. It's important for individuals with known allergies to carefully read food labels and avoid products containing capsicum oleoresin.

The Regular Paprika

Now, if you're on the hunt for bell pepper powder, make sure you choose a product made from yellow or orange bell peppers. Yes, red bell peppers resemble paprika in terms of color, but they're the sweetest variety because they're the ripest.

- Paprika extract contains a lower concentration of the active compounds found in paprika, including the pigments and essential oils responsible for its color and flavor. It is often used for its coloring properties and may have a milder flavor profile compared to paprika oleoresin.