November 23, 2023
Review RecipePeanut Noodles
Table of Contents
Rich with flavor, this peanut noodles dish is a delicious indulgence for anyone looking to spice up their meal time. Combining the best of Asian flavors with nutty peanut butter yields an irresistible meal and comes together in only ten minutes.
Peanut Noodles Ingredients
The al dente texture of the rice noodles plays perfectly with the creamy, spicy flavor of the sauce in this recipe.
To make this easy noodle dish, you’ll need:
- 8.8-ounce box of rice noodles (also known as Pad Thai noodles)
- ½ cup of creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup of water
- ¼ cup of low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1½ tablespoons of fresh lime juice (1 lime)
- 2 teaspoons of toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon of grated fresh garlic (2 large cloves)
- 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha
- 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds, optional garnish
- 1-2 tablespoons of scallions (thinly sliced), optional garnish
- 1-2 tablespoons of lightly salted peanuts (chopped), optional garnish
PRO TIP:
The rice noodles (also known as Pad Thai noodles) sometimes only come in larger 14-ounce boxes.
You can either double the sauce amount or just boil half the box of noodles if you can’t find a smaller quantity.
Substitutions And Additions
PEANUT BUTTER: We used a standard creamy peanut butter (Peter Pan) for the Thai peanut butter sauce.
You can use any brand you wish, or you can even use chunky peanut butter if you want to add extra texture to your peanut noodles.
We don’t recommend using natural peanut butter as it may not give you the consistency you want for this dish.
BROWN SUGAR: You can substitute honey for brown sugar in this peanut noodle recipe. It will give it a slightly floral sweetness from the honey, but it will still be tasty.
NOODLES: Some good substitutes for rice noodles would be soba noodles, udon noodles, ramen noodles, or even glass noodles.
All these can be found in the Asian food section of your local grocery store.
SPICE: You can substitute chili sauce for a milder heat in this Thai peanut sauce noodles recipe.
You could also omit the sriracha and substitute a quarter teaspoon or more of red pepper flakes.
SOY SAUCE: For a gluten-free version, use tamari sauce or coconut aminos instead of traditional soy sauce.
Tamari has a similar flavor but is gluten-free, making it suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
Coconut aminos, on the other hand, offer a slightly sweeter profile and are soy-free, making them a great choice for those with soy allergies.
SRIRACHA SAUCE: Adjust the level of heat by using hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or chili garlic sauce in place of sriracha.
If you prefer a milder kick, reduce the amount or omit it altogether.
GARNISHES: Customize your garnishes to elevate the flavors and presentation.
Chopped cilantro, green onions, sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts make excellent toppings.
For a burst of freshness, squeeze some lime juice over the noodles before serving.
How To Make This Peanut Noodles Recipe
This peanut butter noodles recipe literally takes ten minutes to make. It can’t get any easier than that!
While you are boiling the rice noodles, you will make your creamy peanut sauce by whisking all the ingredients together.
Once the noodles are ready, drain them, and combine them with the sauce. Garnish and enjoy.
STEP ONE: In a large pot of boiling water, boil your rice noodles according to the package instructions – approximately five to seven minutes.
STEP TWO: While your noodles are boiling, you can make your sauce.
Whisk together the creamy peanut butter, water, soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh lime juice, toasted sesame oil, garlic, and sriracha in a medium bowl until the sauce is smooth.
Set aside.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
I like to use the full two teaspoons of sriracha when I make these peanut noodles because I love how the heat works with the peanut flavor.
However, you can start with just a half to one teaspoon and see how the spice level works for you.
STEP THREE: Once your rice noodles are done cooking, drain the water from the noodles.
You can reserve some of the hot cooking water to thin your sauce if needed.
STEP FOUR: Transfer the hot cooked noodles to a large bowl and use tongs to toss them with the reserved peanut sauce.
STEP FIVE: Garnish with any or all of the optional toppings and serve while the peanut noodles are hot.
PRO TIP:
These peanut noodles are a very simple and quick meal; therefore, I do not suggest making this dish ahead of time.
You do want to serve this dish while it is hot.
As this dish sits, the noodles will start to absorb some of the peanut sauce.
You can reserve some of your sauce to add to any leftovers you may have.
How To Serve
Spicy Thai peanut noodles make an excellent meal, but to truly enjoy their amazing flavors, you will want to complete the dish with complementary side dishes.
Take your peanut noodles to the next level by turning them into a stir-fry. Add an array of stir-fry veggies like broccoli, snap peas, and baby corn to a hot pan.
Once they’re cooked to your liking, toss in your peanut noodles and stir-fry everything together.
Fresh vegetables like steamed or roasted broccoli or slow cooker corn on the cob bring color and crunch to the dish.
Roll up your peanut noodles in a tortilla or a lettuce leaf. Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu, along with fresh herbs and sliced cucumbers, to create a tasty wrap.
If you love Asian-inspired noodle dishes, our Korean noodles and beef ramen stir-fry are both loaded with plenty of savory flavors.
When To Serve
WEEKNIGHT DINNER: Peanut noodles make for a quick and easy weeknight meal when you’re short on time but still craving a flavorful dinner.
EASY LUNCH: Pack these noodles in a lunchbox for a filling midday meal. They’re great at room temperature, making them perfect for school or work lunches.
POTLUCK: They’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser and can be served as a side dish or even a main course.
MEAL PREP: Prepare a big batch of peanut noodles as part of your meal prep routine. Divide them into individual portions for quick and convenient lunches or dinners throughout the week.
MORE NOODLE RECIPES
Storage
Here’s what you need to know about storing and reheating your peanut noodles.
MAKE AHEAD: If you’d like to prepare your peanut noodles ahead of time, it’s best to cook and assemble them just before serving.
The noodles tend to absorb the sauce over time, so making them too far in advance may result in a drier dish.
However, you can prepare the sauce separately and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
When you’re ready to enjoy your peanut noodles, cook the noodles fresh, and toss them with the sauce for the best taste and texture.
IN THE FRIDGE: You can keep these peanut butter noodles airtight container for a quick lunch or easy dinner. Leftovers will last about three days in the fridge.
IN THE FREEZER: These noodles with peanut sauce don’t tend to freeze well, and since this is such a quick recipe to whip up, we recommend making it fresh.
REHEATING: When it’s time to enjoy your stored peanut noodles, there are a few reheating methods to choose from:
- STOVETOP: Place a pan on medium-low heat and add a bit of water or broth to the pan. When it starts to simmer, add your frozen or refrigerated peanut noodles and gently stir until they’re heated through.
- MICROWAVE: Place your portion in a microwave-safe container and cover it with a damp paper towel or microwave-safe lid to prevent drying. Heat the noodles in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until they’re hot and thoroughly reheated.
Why We Love This Recipe
IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR: The creamy peanut sauce is a blend of savory, nutty, and slightly sweet flavors. It’s incredibly satisfying and leaves you craving for more.
QUICK AND EASY: It’s a go-to recipe for busy days because it comes together in just 30 minutes or less.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: It’s a crowd-pleaser! Even picky eaters tend to love the comforting and familiar taste of peanut noodles.
Nothing quite hits the spot like a big bowl of hearty, creamy peanut noodles. With its combination of savory and spicy flavors and comforting textures, this classic Asian dish never fails to satisfy.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can reheat this peanut Thai noodles recipe, although it does taste the best when made fresh.
Yes! Any long noodles would work fine. Try ramen noodles, soba noodles, or even linguine.
These noodles tend to be on the spicy side, but you can adjust the amount of spice by reducing the sriracha in the sauce.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Peanut Noodles
Ingredients
- 8.8 ounces rice noodles, also known as Pad Thai noodles
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1½ tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 lime
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh garlic, 2 large cloves
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sriracha
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional garnish
- 1 to 2 tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced (optional garnish)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lightly salted peanuts, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling water, boil your rice noodles according to the package directions (approximately 5 to 7 minutes).
- While your noodles are boiling, you can make your sauce by whisking together, in a medium bowl, the creamy peanut butter, water, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh lime juice, toasted sesame oil, grated fresh garlic, and sriracha until the sauce is smooth. Set aside.
- Once your rice noodles are done cooking, drain the water from the noodles. You can reserve some of the hot cooking water to thin your sauce if needed.
- Transfer the hot cooked noodles to a large bowl and toss them with the reserved peanut sauce.
- Garnish with any, or all, of the optional toppings and serve while the peanut noodles are hot.
Notes
- The rice noodles (also known as Pad Thai noodles) sometimes only come in larger 14-ounce boxes. You can either double the sauce amount or just boil half the box of noodles if you can’t find a smaller quantity.
- I like to use the full 2 teaspoons of sriracha when I make these peanut noodles because I love how the heat works with the peanut flavor. However, you can start with just ½ to 1 teaspoon and see how the spice level works for you.
- These peanut noodles are a very simple and quick meal; therefore, I do not suggest making this dish ahead of time. You do want to serve this dish while it is hot. As this dish sits, the noodles will start to absorb some of the peanut sauce. You can reserve some of your sauce (not adding it all immediately) to add to any leftovers you may have.
Nutrition
Even More Recipes You’ll Love
Rice And Noodle Recipes
- Shrimp with Ramen
- Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
- Ramen Noodle Salad
- Mongolian Beef and Noodles
- Beef Noodle Casserole
- Spanish Rice
- Stir Fried Rice
Comments
Food nutters says
Some very tasty things here on your site 🙂 These noodles look great!
Estelle Forrest says
What a fantastic recipe. Thanks so much for sharing at SSPS, hope to see you again next week.
Michele F Michael says
Love this recipe. I think I’d like to add chicken. pinning
Cara ~ Vintage Style Gal says
Do you think I could make this with gluten free pasta? I am thinking my husband would love it, we try new things all the time. Thank you for sharing with Whimsy Home Wednesday.
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Cara – I think that would work ok, enjoy!
Patty G says
Followed the recipe exactly- only thing I did differently was to put the sauce in the microwave for like 15-20 seconds to get the peanut butter to soften and blend. Delicious!