The BEST Spicy Peanut Noodles in 10 Minutes (VIDEO)
Feb 17, 2023, Updated Apr 01, 2024
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If you loved my Sesame Peanut Noodles but wanted a spicier version, these Spicy Peanut Noodles are perfect for you! They’re quick, easy, and SO SATISFYING! I love how the chili oil and Szechuan chili flakes warm up the dish and take it the next level. The sauce comes together in under 10 minutes and paired with your favorite noodles, this is going to be your new go-to meal!
Watch the Spicy Peanut Noodles Recipe Video Below!
Table of Contents
- Watch the Spicy Peanut Noodles Recipe Video Below!
- What Kind of Noodles Should I Use?
- Ingredients for Spicy Peanut Noodles
- Spicy Peanut Noodles: Recipe Instructions
- Expert Tips for Spicy Peanut Noodles
- Storage
- What to Serve with Spicy Peanut Noodles
- I Love Noodles – What Else Can I Make?
- Spicy Peanut Noodles Recipe
What Kind of Noodles Should I Use?
This is the #1 question I get asked for this Spicy Peanut Noodles recipe, so I am including a photo of the exact brand that I used! The brand is called “Wu-Mu” and I got these from my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch). They are wavy, knife cut noodles from Taiwan. I personally like using these wavy noodles because I enjoy the mouth-feel and how they pick up a lot of the sauce.
If you can’t find these, I’ve seen these type of noodles by many brands – I’ve even seen something similar at Trader Joe’s! You can also substitute with another noodle of your choice. The star of this dish is the sauce!
Ingredients for Spicy Peanut Noodles
These Spicy Peanut Noodles is the perfect ‘pantry’ meal – you are going to already have most of these ingredients at home!
Wet Seasonings
- 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter – if you are using peanut butter, I would use natural peanut butter, with no sugar added. I recommend this so you can control how sweet your dish turns out – the recipe already has 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, so you may find that regular peanut butter (which usually has sugar added) may make the dish too sweet.
- You can also use sesame paste.
- 2 tbsp chili oil – I like to use my homemade Chili Oil! I get asked all the time what brand of chili oil is my favorite and I always say – my own! Making your own chili oil ensures that you can control for the quality of the ingredients, as well as customize to your liking. If you’re interested to making chili oil at home, definitely give my recipe a try!
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce – this is “light” or “all-purpose” soy sauce; do not use dark soy sauce, as it is too thick and sweet for this recipe!
- 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar – I use Chinkiang vinegar, which is fragrant, slightly sweet, and the right amount of sour. As you explore my blog and check out some of my other recipes, you’ll see that I use this ingredient A LOT. If you are interested in cooking a lot of Chinese recipes at home, I would recommend you buy a bottle to add as a pantry staple.
- 1/4 cup noodle cooking water – after cooking your noodles, reserve at least 1/4 cup of the water. 1/4 cup of the water will be used to make the sauce for your Spicy Peanut Noodles.
- Note – the sauce tends to thicken quickly, so I recommend you reserve more than 1/4 cup, as you may want to use this water to loosen your sauce to your liking.
Dry Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp szechuan chili flakes – this will give the dish that mouth-numbing that szechuan cuisine is famous for! I get mine from my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch).
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds – this is for added texture; if you don’t have any on hand, you can skip it.
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 1/4 tsp MSG – as you know, I like to use MSG in moderation as a flavor enhancer. This is always optional.
Garnish
- 2 scallions chopped – this is optional; I always like a handful of scallions as a garnish.
- 2 tbsp crushed peanuts – this is optional; I like it for the added crunch and texture.
- chili oil – an extra drizzle of chili oil is optional
Spicy Peanut Noodles: Recipe Instructions
1. Mix the Sauce
You’re going to love how simple the recipe for Spicy Peanut Noodles is!
Take a bowl that you will be serving your noodles in. In it, mix together peanut butter (or sesame paste) along with sesame seeds, chili oil, Chinese black vinegar, light soy sauce, sugar, grated garlic, and optional MSG. Mix until combined and the sauce is smooth. Set aside.
2. Cook Noodles and Assemble
Cook the noodles of your choice according to the instructions on the package or to your desired doneness (for example – my wife prefers her noodles very al dente, so she is always cooking hers 2 minutes less than the instructions).
In the bowl with the Spicy Peanut Noodles sauce mixture (which you will be serving your noodles), add 1/4 cup of the cooking water – mix, and then add the cooked noodles. Combine the noodles, sauce, and noodle water until the sauce is well incorporated with the noodles. If you find the sauce is too thick, add in a little bit of the reserved noodle water to loosen. The sauce will thicken as it sits, so if you ever need to loosen it, just add a touch more cooking water.
3. Garnish with Toppings
Once the Spicy Peanut Noodles have been mixed to your liking, top with your optional garnishes (scallions, crushed peanuts, and drizzle of chili oil), and enjoy!
PRO TIPS
Expert Tips for Spicy Peanut Noodles
Noodle Tips
- I like to use wavy, knife cut noodles – I get them from my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch) and the brand is called “Wu-Mu”. I like these because of the mouth-feel and how the wavy bits pick up more sauce.
- If you can’t find this exact brand, don’t worry – I’ve noticed wavy noodles by many other company, including at Trader Joe’s!
- You can use any noodle of your preference – the star of the dish is the spicy, nutty sauce!
Reserve Noodle Cooking Water
Reserve at least 1/4 cup of the water you cooked your noodles in.
- 1/4 cup of the water will be used to make the sauce for your Spicy Peanut Noodles.
- The sauce tends to thicken quickly, so I recommend you reserve more than 1/4 cup, as you may want to use this water to loosen your sauce to your liking.
Serve Immediately!
The Spicy Peanut Noodles sauce will continue to thicken as it sits after being mixed with the noodles, so I recommend serving and enjoying this dish immediately after making it.
If you need to make ahead or for some reason, the dishes sit for too long, you can use some of the reserved noodle water to loosen up the noodles. If the reserved noodle water has cool, make sure to warm it up before loosing the noodles – you do not want to be adding lukewarm water to your Spicy Peanut Noodles.
Storage
As a warning, these Spicy Peanut Noodles will not keep well – the sauce will continue to thicken and they’ll grow stuck to each other. They’ll still taste delicious but the noodles will not be the same. If you do have leftovers, you can store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
What to Serve with Spicy Peanut Noodles
These Spicy Peanut Noodles are spicy and nutty and go well with bright, light vegetable side dishes – I would make them with my Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad, Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad, and Din Tai Fung Green Beans.
If you want to pair them with a heartier appetizer, I would eat them with my Grandma’s Pork and Shrimp Wontons – these are the best wontons in the world, in my opinion!
I Love Noodles – What Else Can I Make?
Do you love noodles? I do, too! If you like this recipe and want something similar but cool, try my Cold Sesame Noodles – they’re perfect for the summer! If you are looking for similar mouth-numbing Szechuan flavors but heartier, try my Dan Dan Noodles. Looking for another 10 minute noodle dish? Make my Spicy Garlic Ramen!
Please consider giving a rating and commenting down below what you thought of the recipe! It really helps out the blog!
If you tried this Spicy Peanut Noodles or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Spicy Peanut Noodles
Ingredients
- 6 oz noodles
- 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter or sesame paste
- 2 tbsp chili oil
- 1/2 tsp szechuan chili flakes
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1/4 tsp MSG, optional
- 1/4 cup noodle cooking water , use as needed to loosen sauce
Garnish
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 2 tbsp crushed peanuts, garnish as desired
- chili oil, garnish as desired
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine peanut butter or sesame paste along with sesame seeds, chili oil, Chinese black vinegar, light soy sauce, sugar, grated garlic, and msg. Mix until combined and the sauce is smooth.
- Cook noodles according to package directions or desired doneness. Mix in 1/4 cup of the cooking water to the sauce mixture to create your sauce, then add the drained noodles and mix.
- Top with crushed peanuts, scallions, and chili oil and enjoy!
Notes
-
- I like to use wavy, knife cut noodles – I get them from my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch) and the brand is called “Wu-Mu”. I like these because of the mouth-feel and how the wavy bits pick up more sauce.
-
- If you can’t find this exact brand, don’t worry – I’ve noticed wavy noodles by many other company, including at Trader Joe’s!
-
- You can use any noodle of your preference – the star of the dish is the spicy, nutty sauce!
-
- 1/4 cup of the water will be used to make the sauce for your Spicy Peanut Noodles.
-
- The sauce tends to thicken quickly, so I recommend you reserve more than 1/4 cup, as you may want to use this water to loosen your sauce to your liking.
Storage
As a warning, these noodles will not keep well – the sauce will continue to thicken and they’ll grow stuck to each other. They’ll still taste delicious but the noodles will not be the same. If you do have leftovers, you can store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this for my family and it was delicious! So convenient to make.