Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe
This Thai peanut noodles recipe is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that comes together in less than 20 minutes. Creamy, better than take-out delicious, and perfect for the whole family—your kids will love it!
Note: While traditional Thai peanut sauce doesn’t include peanut butter, this easy recipe uses it for convenience. That way, you can make this dish with basic pantry staples!
Peanut noodles are an Asian dish made with rice noodles coated in a creamy peanut sauce. It’s a versatile meal that pairs well with various proteins or vegetables, making it perfect for a quick noodle dinner.
More about these creamy noodles
After making the reader-requested peanut ramen, my hubby has officially fallen head over heels for peanut flavor in Thai food. So, I came up with this simple recipe that features the best peanut sauce for noodles!
It turned out to be total comfort food—rice noodles smothered in a luscious peanut butter sauce that’s savory from the soy sauce, sweetened with palm sugar, and finished with just the right amount of chili sauce heat. It’s certain to be a hit!
Looking for some authentic noodle recipes? Be sure to check out pad Thai chicken and pad see ew with beef—both are Thai cuisine classics!
The best part about this recipe? It’s ridiculously easy to make. Just cook the noodles, stir up that dreamy peanut sauce, and toss everything together. In less than 20 minutes, you’ll have dinner that tastes like it took hours.
This is a vegan recipe, but you can easily mix in some protein like chicken, tofu, or shrimp (or enjoy the noodles just as they are!). Don’t forget to check out the tasty customization ideas I’ve included after the instructions!
Ingredient notes
You’ll find everything you need at Asian markets or Asian grocery stores. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact measurements!
- Noodles – I used rice noodles, but other noodles, spaghetti, or any pasta you have on hand works too. You can also use sen yai noodles.
- Peanut butter – I used this version of Skippy brand, with a smooth, creamy texture.
- Light soy sauce
- Palm sugar – Available on Amazon.
- Water – Helps to thin out the sauce to coat the noodles evenly.
- Chili sauce – Use my Thai hot sauce or any store-bought chili sauce. Feel free to adjust to your spice preference.
- Garlic
- Oil – Use a neutral, high smoke point oil like vegetable oil or canola oil.
- Optional garnishing – Green onions, coriander, crushed peanuts, and sesame seeds.
How to make Thai peanut noodles
Step 1: Heat oil in a saucepan over low heat. Add garlic, peanut butter, soy sauce, chili sauce, palm sugar, and water. Stir continuously until everything is well combined, and the palm sugar completely dissolves.
Step 2: Cook and drain the noodles according to the package instructions. When draining, leave them a little bit moist to help the sauce stick better.
Step 3: Toss your Thai noodles with peanut sauce until they’re evenly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with green onions, coriander, sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, and a squeeze of lime if you like. Enjoy!
Recipe customization options
- Protein: Stir-fry some shrimp, tofu, or even chicken and toss them with the noodles. Topping the dish with a crispy fried egg is another delicious option.
- Vegetables: Add any veggies you love! Bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, broccoli, and sugar snap peas are perfect. Stir-fry or blanch them before mixing into the noodles.
- Spicy peanut butter noodles: For a spicier kick, stir in extra chili sauce, Thai chili oil, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, or add some sliced fresh chilies.
- Gluten-free option: Swap out the soy sauce for tamari and use gluten-free noodles.
More Thai noodles to try
- Pad kee mao
- Thai basil pasta
- Pad mee (vermicelli noodles stir-fry)
- Khao soi
Love this vegan Thai peanut noodles recipe? Please make my day by dropping a star rating and/or a comment below! Follow me on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 3 tbsps peanut butter
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 5 tbsps water
- 2 tbsps chili sauce
- 1 tbsp palm sugar
- 3.50 oz dry rice noodles
Garnishing options
- coriander
- green onions
- crushed peanuts
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat oil in a saucepan over low heat. Add garlic, peanut butter, soy sauce, chili sauce, palm sugar, and water. Stir continuously until everything is well combined, and the palm sugar completely dissolves.
- Cook and drain the noodles according to the package instructions. When draining, leave them a little bit moist to help the sauce stick better.
- Toss your Thai noodles with peanut sauce until they’re evenly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with green onions, coriander, sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, and a squeeze of lime if you like. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
If we wanted to use traditional Thai peanut sauce, is that all we need to mix with the noodles? Plus the garnishes? Thanks!
Hey Jason! My traditional Thai peanut sauce recipe is more suited as a dipping sauce rather than for mixing with noodles. The sauce included in this recipe is diluted with water so it clings to the noodles better. That being said, feel free to test it out and let me know how it works!