Name: Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 16 ounces brown rice noodles; 3 large cloves garlic (or 4-5 small), finely minced; 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger; 1 tablespoon oil (olive or any preferred oil); 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter (low/no salt); 4 tablespoons low sodium tamari or soy sauce; 1/3 to 1 cup hot water; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 1 to 2 tablespoons sriracha; 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for less spice can be omitted); Optional: 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce; Crushed peanuts; Scallions; Additional red pepper flakes

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Introduction

These Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles offer a creamy, flavorful twist on your typical noodle dish. With a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and nuttiness, they make a quick and satisfying meal for any day of the week.

A bowl with light beige noodles mixed in a creamy orange sauce fills most of the bowl. On top, there are chopped green onions, crushed peanuts, and red chili flakes scattered evenly, adding green, tan, and dark red accents. Two black chopsticks rest on the side of the white bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with blurred bowls of red and green spices or sauces in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

16 ounces brown rice noodles
3 large cloves garlic (or 4-5 small)
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
1 tablespoon oil (any kind, olive works well)
⅔ cup creamy peanut butter (low or no salt preferred)
4 tablespoons low sodium tamari or soy sauce
⅓ to 1 cup hot water (helps mix with peanut butter)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1-2 tablespoons sriracha
1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for less spice)
Optional: 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the brown rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Finely mince the garlic. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a sauté pan over low heat and add the garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes until golden brown.
Step 3: Add the grated ginger to the pan and sauté for 1 more minute, stirring frequently.
Step 4: Remove the pan from heat. Add the peanut butter, tamari or soy sauce, hot water (starting with ⅓ cup), rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, maple syrup or honey, red pepper flakes, and chili garlic sauce if using. Whisk together until smooth, adding more hot water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
Step 5: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning by adding more soy sauce, sriracha, or sweetener as preferred.
Step 6: Toss half of the sauce with the cooked noodles to coat them evenly. Add more sauce as desired, depending on how saucy you like it.
Step 7: Serve the noodles topped with crushed peanuts, scallions, and extra red pepper flakes if you like. Enjoy with your choice of veggies or protein.

Tips & Variations

Use warm or hot water to help the peanut butter blend smoothly into the sauce.
For a richer flavor, toast your peanuts before crushing them as a topping.
Add cooked chicken, tofu, or stir-fried vegetables to make it a complete meal.
Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of sriracha and red pepper flakes.
If you prefer gluten-free, ensure your tamari and noodles are certified gluten-free.

Storage

Store leftover noodles and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with creamy light brown noodles coated in a slightly thick sauce, topped with sliced green onions, chopped peanuts, and red chili flakes. The noodles are tangled and glossy, creating a textured look. A pair of black chopsticks rests on the edge of the bowl. In the blurred background, there are two more white bowls, one with a green sauce and the other with a red spice mix, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular pasta instead of brown rice noodles?

Yes, you can substitute any type of pasta you like. Just cook according to the package instructions and adjust the sauce quantity as needed.

How spicy is this dish?

The heat level depends on how much sriracha and red pepper flakes you add. Start with less if sensitive to spice, and increase gradually to suit your taste.