If you’re craving something quick, flavorful, and spicy, then this easy spicy peanut noodles recipe with garlic and chili is exactly what you need. It’s a perfect combination of rich peanut butter, sizzling chili oil, and savory soy sauce, making it an ideal dish for lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack.
The best part? You can customize the spice levels to your liking, and it only takes a few minutes to prepare. This dish will surely satisfy your craving for something savory with a bit of heat.
In this post, we will guide you through each step of making these delicious spicy peanut noodles, and provide you with tips, substitutions, and some expert advice on making the recipe your own. Whether you’re a noodle lover or simply looking for a quick and easy meal to whip up, these noodles are perfect for any occasion.
What You Need: Ingredients for Easy Spicy Peanut Noodles
To make the easy spicy peanut noodles, you’ll need a few essential ingredients. These ingredients combine to create a dish that’s not only packed with flavor but also quick and simple to prepare. Here’s a detailed list of what you’ll need:
Knife-cut dried Wheat Noodles (or Any Noodle of Your Choice)
While the recipe suggests knife-cut dried wheat noodles, feel free to substitute with any noodle that you prefer. Rice noodles, egg noodles, udon, and even soba noodles are all great options. The key is to select a noodle that can easily hold onto the rich peanut sauce without getting mushy.
- Why knife-cut noodles: These noodles are typically chewier and have a slightly rustic texture that makes them ideal for a dish like this.
- Substitutes: You can swap for rice noodles if you prefer gluten-free, or use soba noodles for a slightly different taste.
Smooth or Crunchy Peanut Butter
The base of the sauce is peanut butter, which gives it that creamy richness. You can choose between smooth peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter, depending on your texture preference.
- Smooth Peanut Butter: Creates a silky-smooth sauce with no interruptions, perfect if you prefer a smoother consistency.
- Crunchy Peanut Butter: Adds a bit of texture to the sauce, giving the dish a more rustic feel and added crunch.
Both options will work beautifully, so the choice is yours. But keep in mind that crunchy peanut butter might make it slightly more textured.
Light Soy Sauce
Light soy sauce is used for saltiness without overpowering the dish. It’s thinner than dark soy sauce and has a more subtle flavor.
- Substitutes: If you don’t have light soy sauce, you can use tamari for a gluten-free option or regular soy sauce.
Dark Soy Sauce
This sauce deepens the flavor of the dish and adds a darker color to the noodles. Dark soy sauce has a richer, slightly sweet taste that complements the peanut butter nicely.
- Flavor tip: Don’t skip the dark soy sauce; it’s essential for balancing the richness of the peanut butter.
Chinese Black Vinegar
Chinese black vinegar is a unique vinegar that adds a slightly smoky and tangy flavor to the sauce. It’s crucial for creating the depth and acidity needed to balance the peanut butter’s richness.
- Substitute options: If you don’t have Chinese black vinegar, you can use balsamic vinegar or rice vinegar as a substitute. The taste won’t be the same, but it will still provide the acidity necessary for the dish.
Chinese Garlic Chilli Oil
This is the ingredient that gives your noodles the spicy kick you’re looking for. Chinese garlic chili oil is a mix of oil, garlic, and chili, which imparts a smoky, spicy flavor to the dish. It’s perfect for giving the noodles that authentic Asian taste.
- Substitute: If you can’t find this oil, you can make your own by heating vegetable oil, adding garlic and dried chili flakes, and letting it infuse for a few minutes.
Chili Flakes or Red Pepper Flakes
For an extra punch, you’ll add chili flakes or red pepper flakes. Adjust the amount depending on your heat tolerance. These will enhance the flavor of the noodles and make them fiery hot!
- Customizing spice levels: If you don’t want the noodles too spicy, reduce the chili flakes and add more peanut butter to balance the heat.
Warm Water
You’ll need warm water to thin the sauce and make it easier to toss the noodles. Add it gradually until you reach the desired consistency for your sauce.
Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds add a delightful crunch and nuttiness to the finished dish. They are also a traditional garnish for many Asian-style noodles, giving the dish a beautiful touch of texture.
Sesame Oil
Just a small drizzle of sesame oil adds a fragrant depth to the dish. It enhances the peanut flavor and complements the chili oil beautifully.
Spring Onions (Green Onions) for Garnish
For a fresh, crisp topping, you’ll use spring onions (green onions). These provide a vibrant contrast to the rich and spicy noodles, as well as a pop of color.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Easy Spicy Peanut Noodles
Now that you know what ingredients you need, let’s dive into how to make these easy spicy peanut noodles from start to finish.
Step 1: Boiling the Noodles
The first step is to boil your noodles. Follow the package instructions, making sure to cook them until they are al dente. This is important because overcooking the noodles will result in a mushy texture, which can ruin the dish.
- Pro Tip: Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water for extra flavor.
Once the noodles are done, drain them and set them aside, keeping them warm.
Step 2: Preparing the Spicy Peanut Sauce
While your noodles are boiling, you can make the spicy peanut sauce. In a bowl, whisk together:
- Peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
- Soy sauces (light and dark)
- Chinese black vinegar
- Chinese garlic chili oil
- Sesame oil
- Chili flakes
Gradually add warm water to achieve the desired sauce consistency. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water until it’s easy to coat the noodles.
Step 3: Tossing Noodles with the Peanut Sauce
Once the sauce is ready, toss the cooked noodles into the bowl with the sauce. Make sure each noodle is well coated in that delicious peanut sauce.
- Tip: For extra flavor, add a small amount of chili oil at this stage to enhance the heat.
Step 4: Garnishing and Serving
To finish, sprinkle sesame seeds over the noodles and garnish with freshly chopped spring onions (green onions). You can also add extra chili flakes if you like your noodles extra spicy.
FAQs
Can You Use Different Types of Noodles?
Yes! You can use egg noodles, rice noodles, or even udon noodles. The key is choosing noodles that absorb the sauce well and don’t become too mushy when tossed.
What Can Be Substituted for Chinese Black Vinegar?
If you don’t have Chinese black vinegar, you can use balsamic vinegar or rice vinegar. These alternatives will provide the acidity and slight sweetness needed, though the flavor will differ slightly.
What If You Don’t Like Too Much Spice?
If you’re not a fan of spice, simply reduce the amount of chili oil and chili flakes. You can always add more to taste once the noodles are finished.
Can This Recipe Be Made Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the peanut sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cook the noodles fresh when you’re ready to eat and toss them with the sauce.
Can I Freeze the Peanut Sauce?
Yes! You can freeze the peanut sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just let it thaw before using and stir it well to bring back the smooth consistency.
