Spicy peanut noodles are a flavorful and satisfying dish that you can prepare in no time. Made with homemade garlic chili sauce, these noodles are packed with rich, creamy, and spicy flavors that will excite your taste buds.

If you love these noodles, you’ll also enjoy Taiwanese cold peanut noodles and Taiwanese cold sesame noodles. These related dishes provide a refreshing, non-spicy alternative, offering more variety to your meal planning. Try them out and you will love them all!

An overhead close shot shows the cooked noodles tossed with peanut sauce with diced cucumbers on the side in a neutral color plate.
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Ingredients

Get ready to make some super tasty peanut butter chili oil noodles! Here are the ingredients you’ll need and why each one is important for the dish:

Ingredients needed to make this dish
  • Rice noodles: The perfect base for absorbing the flavorful sauce while keeping the dish gluten-free.
  • Green onions: Adds a fresh, zesty crunch that complements the rich sauce.
  • Persian cucumber: Brings a refreshing, crisp texture to balance the spiciness.
  • Toasted white sesame seeds: Provides a nutty finish and a bit of crunch.

Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce:

  • Smooth peanut butter (unsalted and unsweetened): The creamy star of the sauce, adding richness and depth.
  • Coconut aminos (or soy sauce + sugar): Adds umami and a hint of sweetness.
  • Rice vinegar: For a tangy kick that brightens the sauce.
  • Aged balsamic vinegar (or Chinese black vinegar): Adds complexity and depth.
  • Garlic cloves, grated: Packs a punch of bold flavor.
  • Toasted sesame oil: Enhances the nutty, aromatic profile of the sauce.
  • Garlic chili sauce: Brings the heat and a bit of garlicky flavor.
  • Hot boiled noodle water: Helps to thin the sauce and make it smooth and glossy.

Substitutions and variations

  • Can’t have peanuts? Switch to paleo-friendly options like almond butter, sunflower seed butter, Chinese sesame paste, or tahini for similar flavors and consistency.
  • Use store-bought chili oil: These tend to be spicier and saltier than homemade. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
  • Non-spicy: Just skip the chili when making the peanut butter noodles.
  • Noodle options: Use any type of noodles you like to suit your dietary needs. Peanut sauce works best with thin and round-shaped noodles as they hold onto the sauce well without being too thick or hard to chew.

How to make spicy peanut butter sauce noodles

Making rice noodles with spicy peanut sauce is quick and easy! Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and flavorful meal in no time.

Steps shows preparing the cucumber and making the peanut sauce
  1. Boil the noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions in a large pot of boiling water.
  2. Prep the veggies: While the noodles are cooking, dice the green onions and julienne the cucumbers.
  3. Make the sauce: In a large serving bowl, mix the peanut butter, coconut aminos (or soy sauce and sugar), rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, grated garlic, sesame oil, and garlic chili sauce. Taste and adjust as needed.
Steps showing tossing the noodles with the sauce and add the garnish
  1. Add noodle water: Stir in ¼ cup of hot noodle water to the sauce until it’s smooth.
  2. Combine noodles and sauce: Drain the noodles and add them directly to the sauce. Toss until the noodles are evenly coated.
  3. Serve: Divide the noodles into bowls, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, and drizzle with extra chili sauce if desired. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Tip: If you’re not serving the dish right away and the noodles won’t be combined with the peanut sauce yet, toss the boiled noodles lightly with a bit of oil to prevent sticking. Combine with the spicy peanut sauce just before serving.

Best noodles to use with peanut sauce

  • Traditional Options: Chinese-style peanut noodles typically use thin, round wheat noodles because they are elastic and don’t break easily after boiling. In Taiwan, thicker, wavy-shaped wheat noodles called knife-cut noodles are popular for their chewy texture.
  • Substitutes: If you don’t have dietary restrictions, ramen noodles, thin spaghetti, or angel hair pasta are good substitutes since they hold their shape well after cooking.
  • Gluten-Free Options: For a gluten-free choice, use rice noodles (like in this recipe), soba noodles, or rice vermicelli. These noodles work well with the peanut sauce and stay in shape.
  • Low-Carb Options: For a low-carb alternative, try kelp noodles or shirataki noodles. See our guide on How to cook kelp noodles.

Tip: Gluten-free noodles are more delicate than wheat noodles. Follow the package instructions and be careful not to overcook them.

Serve warm or cold

While this dish is typically served warm, you can absolutely enjoy it cold during warmer months. Here’s how to do it:

  • Adjust the Sauce: Use room temperature water in the peanut butter sauce mixture instead of hot noodle water.
  • Cool the Noodles: Rinse the noodles in cold water after boiling, shake away excess moisture, and then toss with the peanut butter sauce.

Make ahead and store

  • Make-ahead: You can prepare the peanut butter sauce up to a week in advance in an airtight container. The sauce may thicken and dry up in the fridge, so add a few tablespoons of water to smooth out the texture when ready to use.
  • Storage: Boiled rice noodles can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. The noodles might stick together, but you can soften them by quickly rinsing in boiling water for a few seconds or adding a splash of water and microwaving for 30 seconds, then stirring to loosen the noodles.

What to serve with spicy peanut butter noodles

Make your easy peanut sauce noodles even more special with these tasty toppings, sides, and drinks. Each addition will enhance your meal and make it truly unforgettable!

Helpful tips

  • Choosing Noodles: Traditional thin, round wheat noodles are great, but for gluten-free options, use rice noodles, soba noodles, or rice vermicelli. For a low-carb choice, try kelp noodles or shirataki noodles.
  • Peanut Butter: Use smooth, unsweetened, and unsalted peanut butter for the best flavor and consistency in your sauce.
  • Preventing Stickiness: If you’re not serving the noodles right away, toss them with a bit of oil after boiling to prevent sticking. Only mix them with the peanut sauce when ready to serve.

FAQs

Are spicy noodles healthy?

Yes, spicy noodles can be healthy if the sauce is low in sugar and uses better oils like avocado oil. Pair with fresh vegetables for a nutritious meal.

Can I use a different type of noodle?

Yes, you can use any type of noodle you like. Thin spaghetti, angel hair, soba, or rice noodles all work well with peanut sauce.

Is there a substitute for peanut butter?

Yes, you can use almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, Chinese sesame paste, or tahini as substitutes for peanut butter.

More Asian noodle recipes

Looking for more delicious noodle dishes? Check out these recipes for more tasty options!

A side close shot shows the texture of the noodles with spicy peanut sauce served in a white plate.
A close shot shows the finishing dish of the peanut noodles, served with extra chili garlic sauce on the side in a white color plate.
5 from 7 votes

Spicy peanut noodles recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Boiling noodles: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: ChihYu Smith
Spicy peanut noodles with chewy rice noodles and spicy Asian peanut butter sauce and garlic chili oil. Ready in 15 minutes!
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Ingredients 

  • 8 oz rice noodles
  • 2 bulb green onions, diced
  • 2 whole Persian cucumber, julienned
  • Sprinkle toasted white sesame seeds

Spicy peanut butter sauce:

Instructions 

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil and follow the package instructions to boil the noodles.
  • In the meantime, prepare the green onions and cucumber.
  • In a large serving bowl, combine the sauce ingredients from peanut butter to garlic chili sauce. Taste and adjust.
  • Take ¼ cup of hot noodle water and add it to the peanut sauce. Stir the sauce until smooth.
  • Drain the noodles and add them directly into the sauce bowl. Toss and coat the noodles until well incorporated.
  • To serve, divide the noodles into individual serving bowls. Garnish with spring onions and sesame seeds, and drizzle with more chili sauce on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Other types of noodles you can use:
    • Low carbohydrates: Substitute with low-carb noodles, such as shirataki noodles or kelp noodles.
    • Gluten-free: Use rice noodles as I did for this recipe.
    • No dietary restrictions: Originally, this dish is made with wheat-based Taiwanese knife-cut noodles, but you can also use spaghetti or any pasta noodles.
  • If you are allergic to peanuts, use smooth almond butter, sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, or tahini. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 205kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 493mg, Potassium: 116mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 6IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 0.5mg
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Chinese, Taiwanese
Keyword: Spicy peanut butter noodles, Spicy peanut noodles
Web Story: https://iheartumami.com/web-stories/how-to-make-spicy-peanut-noodles/
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