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How To Roast Dried Chiles

I use the oven for roasting big batches of dried chiles, with the stovetop being a good option for smaller batches. 

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins

Ingredients

  • 2-10 dried chiles (Ancho, Guajillo, New Mexican, etc.)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Wipe off any dusty crevasses of the dried chiles using a damp paper towel. De-stem and de-seed the chiles, discarding the seeds and stems.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400F.
  3. Add the chile pieces to a baking sheet and roast for 1-2 minutes. When using fresh, pliable chiles you can give them the full 2 minutes. Older chiles that are less pliable will turn brittle quicker so I tend to give them a healthy minute in the oven and then take a peek at them.
  4. Ideally your chiles are warm, fragrant, and still pliable after roasting. If they have turned brittle or crumbly they will take on a bitter flavor.
  5. Alternatively, you can preheat a skillet or comal to medim-high heat. After de-stemming and de-seeding the chiles you can add the chile pieces to the skillet and use a spatula to press them down into the heat, giving them 15-30 seconds per side.
  6. Note that most recipes will ask you to reconstitute your chiles after you roast them. I typically put them in a bowl and cover them with the hottest tap water available, letting them rehydrate for 20 minutes or so. More info on reconstituting dried chiles.