10-min. Easy Spicy Peanut Noodles

Name: 10-min. Easy Spicy Peanut Noodles
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 8 oz wheat noodles (dried flat or ribbon kind); 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or any neutral oil); 2 tbsp peanut butter (smooth kind); 1 1/2 tbsp Sichuan red pepper flakes (or gochugaru (Korean hot pepper flakes)); 1 3/4 tbsp regular soy sauce; 1 tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 tsp Chinese black vinegar (aka Chinkiang vinegar); 1 green onion (finely sliced); 1 clove garlic (minced); 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds; 1 tsp white granulated sugar

Jump to Recipe Watch Recipe Video

Chewy noodles smothered in a spicy, nutty savory sauce. These quick and easy spicy peanut noodles are ready in 10 minutes with minimal ingredients! Great as a meal or side dish for all the noodle-lovers!

Jump to:

Ingredients & Substitutes
Expert Tips
Instructions
Storage
Topping Ideas
Pairing Suggestions
FAQ
📖 Recipe
💬 Reviews

Spicy Peanut Noodles are a popular Chinese noodle dish featuring wheat noodles in a simple sauce made of peanut butter, chili oil, red chili flakes, soy sauce, black vinegar and sugar. It's packed with savory, spicy and nutty flavors!

It's a delicious Asian noodle dish that requires very little cooking making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you don't have time or energy to cook. The best part is it's also made with simple pantry ingredients.

These are one of my favorite spicy noodles because the taste palate is very appeasing and addictive, if you love spicy food. Also, it can also be served as cold or hot depending on your preference.

In addition, these peanut noodles are a great base to add vegetables (like bell peppers, snow peas or snap peas, julienned carrots, or cucumbers), protein or swap the noodles for ones you enjoy, such as instant ramen or spaghetti!

Ingredients & Substitutes

Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.

ingredients to make spicy peanut noodles

Dried Flat or Ribbon Wheat Noodles (aka dough sliced wheat noodles): the ribbon kind holds onto the sauce better due to the wavy texture. Or substitute with cooked soba noodles, ramen, egg noodles, or even spaghetti and prepare according to package directions. If you're gluten-free, substitute with rice noodles.
Neutral oil: like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil with a high smoke point. Avoid olive oil that has a low smoke point. Or for a low-calorie version, substitute with 3 tablespoon of noodle cooking water and omit the oil.

Spicy Peanut Sauce

Smooth Peanut Butter: or substitute with chunky peanut butter or natural peanut butter but blend the peanut butter in a blender or food processor until smooth. Or substitute with almond butter, sunflower butter, cashew butter, Chinese sesame paste, or tahini.
Gochugaru or Sichuan Red Pepper Flakes: gochugaru are Korean red pepper flakes which are milder in spice and Sichuan red pepper flakes are spicier so pick your choice. Or substitute with normal red chili flakes.
Regular soy sauce: or substitute with low sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce. If you’re gluten-free, substitute with tamari sauce, coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce of your choice.
Dark soy sauce: a thicker and darker than regular soy sauce giving the sauce a dark color.
Chinese Black Vinegar: a black colored mild vinegar made of fermented black glutinous rice and used in Chinese cuisine. Or substitute with rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Do not use balsamic vinegar.
White granulated sugar: or substitute with honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, cane sugar or any sweetener of your choice.
Green onions
Garlic: to add that garlicky flavor to the sauce.
Toasted sesame seeds: or substitute with toasted sesame oil.

Note: Most Asian grocers will carry these ingredients. You may find some at your select grocery store or online, like on Amazon.

Expert Tips

Use a large heatproof bowl made of glass, steel or ceramic since we're pouring hot oil into it.
Make sure the oil is heated through before pouring it over the sauce because the heat will cook the aromatics.
A whisk will be helpful in combining the sauce for an even distribution.
Perform a taste test on the noodles at the 3 minute mark to check if they're cooked to al dente.
Do not rinse the hot noodles with cold water because this will remove the wheat flavor in the noodles.
Mix the noodles with the sauce while they're hot because this will ensure the noodles are evenly coated.

Instructions

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make spicy peanut noodles:

In a large ceramic/glass/steel bowl, combine the sauce ingredients as listed and set aside.

In a large ceramic/glass/steel bowl, combine the sauce ingredients as listed and set aside.

Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan on medium heat for 30-60 seconds. Insert a wooden utensil into the oil and when you see bubbles form, pour the hot oil over the sauce ingredients. Then mix the sauce until well combined.

Then heat vegetable oil in a saucepan on medium heat for 30-60 seconds. Insert a wooden utensil into the oil and when you see bubbles form, pour the hot oil over the sauce ingredients. Then mix the sauce until well combined.

In a medium pot of water, bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Boil ribbon wheat noodles for 3-5 minutes until al dente. Strain immediately and do not rinse off with cold water.

Next in a medium pot of water, bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Boil ribbon wheat noodles for 3-5 minutes until al dente. Strain immediately and do not rinse off with cold water.

Transfer hot noodles into bowl with sauce and mix until each noodle is coated in hot sauce. Enjoy!

Finally transfer the hot noodles into bowl with sauce and mix until each noodle is coated in hot sauce. Enjoy!

Storage

Leftovers will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat: microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot or reheat in a pan on medium heat.
Freezer friendly? This can be stored in a freezer friendly bag after cooling down and frozen up to 3 months. To reheat, defrost it and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in a pan with a couple splashes of water mixed into the noodles.

Topping Ideas

Here is a list of suggested topping ideas for these spicy peanut noodles:

Cooked protein like soft or hard-boiled/fried/scrambled eggs, chicken, pork, beef, or extra-firm tofu.
Fresh vegetables like julienned cucumbers, carrots, bean sprouts, corn, baby corn, lettuce, cabbage, or bell peppers.
Cooked vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, snap peas or snow peas.

Pairing Suggestions

These spicy peanut noodles serve well with:

starters like egg rolls, crab rangoons, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup
fried rice, chow mein, or lo mein
cooked vegetables like bok choy, spicy garlic bok choy, choy sum, gai lan, garlic green beans or stir fried snow pea leaves.
protein dishes like Mongolian Chicken, Honey Sesame Chicken, Ginger Chicken, Orange Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Bang Bang Shrimp, Gochujang Chicken, Soy Garlic Tofu, Chinese Braised Tofu and more!

FAQ

Can I make spicy peanut noodles in advance?

Spicy peanut noodles can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave or in a pan on the stovetop on medium heat with a couple splashes of water mixed into the noodles.

What if I'm allergic to peanuts?

Substitute the peanut butter with sesame paste and make my Sesame Noodles (or refer to the Ingredient & Substitutes section). Or omit the peanut butter and make my Chili Garlic Oil Noodles!

📖 Recipe