Dried chilli padi, also known as bird's eye chilli, is a popular ingredient used in many Asian cuisines. These tiny but mighty peppers pack a powerful punch of heat and flavor, making them a staple in dishes ranging from curries to stir-fries.

Basically made of paprika, cayenne pepper powder, garlic powder, oregano, and other flavorful seasonings, Cajun spice (also called Cajun seasoning) features a bold spicy flavor with a subtle earthiness. Although it contains the combined heat of paprika and cayenne, this seasoning is considered mild because, again, it’s made with a combination of seasonings. Despite being made from a combination of spices, some versions are still hot because different brands pack different amounts of ground peppers in their bottle. For this reason, we recommend testing this alternative first before using it.

This paprika is delicious when added to cheeses, chicken, duck, egg dishes, hors d'ouvres, rice, salads, smoked foods, vegetables, and cottage cheese. It’s also terrific in salad dressings, where it not only adds color but also acts as an emulsifier. 

On the other hand, chili powder is a blend of spices typically used in Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisines. It usually contains ground chili peppers along with other spices such as cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and salt. Chili powder is known for its earthy, slightly spicy flavor and is often used to season chili con carne, tacos, and other Mexican-inspired dishes.

When asking, What can I substitute for paprika?, black and white pepper powder are the last two ingredients that will come to your mind. After all, the color is very different from paprika. They are also not basically chili peppers compared to red chili, jalapeno, and cayenne pepper.