Cayenne pepper and red pepper are both made from dried, ground chili peppers. However, they are not the same thing. Cayenne pepper is made from a specific type of chili pepper called the Cayenne pepper, while red pepper can be made from a variety of different types of chili peppers. Cayenne peppers are typically hotter than red peppers. While Cayenne pepper is considered very hot, red pepper can vary greatly in heat, depending on the type of chili peppers used. In addition, Cayenne pepper has a distinct, smoky flavor, while red pepper can have a more varied flavor profile, depending on the peppers used.