This is the chile pepper to use whenever a recipe calls for “red pepper flakes.” Many Mexican, South American, and Asian recipes call for red chile peppers, but it’s in Italian cuisine where these pepper flakes are most popular. There’s a reason why they’re also referred to as “pizza pepper!” Use a pinch of Hot Crushed Red Peppers to add a modest heat to Italian pasta dishes, Asian stir-fry, and South American adobos. Crushed red pepper ranges from 15,000 to 45,000 on the Scoville heat scale.