Instant Peanut Thai Spicy Noodles (Printable Version)

A fast, creamy peanut and chili sauce coats noodles for a Thai-inspired, flavorful main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 2 packs instant ramen noodles, discard flavor packets

→ Sauce

02 - 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon chili crisp, adjust to taste
05 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
06 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
07 - 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
08 - 1 garlic clove, minced
09 - 3 to 4 tablespoons hot water, as needed to thin sauce

→ Toppings (optional)

10 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
11 - 1 tablespoon roasted peanuts, chopped
12 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
13 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - Lime wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Prepare ramen noodles according to package directions, then drain while reserving 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cooking water.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, chili crisp, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and minced garlic; gradually add reserved noodle water or hot water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
03 - Toss the cooked noodles thoroughly with the sauce until evenly coated.
04 - Divide the coated noodles between two bowls; top with scallions, roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges as desired.
05 - Serve immediately to enjoy the dish at its freshest.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 10 minutes, no chopping marathons or complicated techniques required.
  • That creamy-spicy-savory balance hits so many cravings at once you'll make it twice in one week.
  • Uses things you probably already have lurking in your pantry right now.
02 -
  • That reserved noodle water isn't optional—it's what keeps the sauce creamy instead of letting it seize into something separated and grainy.
  • Chili crisp is spicy and flavorful, so start with less than you think and taste as you go; some brands pack more heat than others.
  • Toasted sesame oil tastes completely different from regular sesame oil and is absolutely worth tracking down for the depth it adds.
03 -
  • Room temperature peanut butter mixes faster than cold, so if yours is stiff, run the jar under warm water for 30 seconds.
  • The noodle cooking water is non-negotiable for sauce consistency—tap water lacks the starch that makes the sauce cling and feel luxurious.
  • Make the sauce while the noodles are draining so everything is warm when they meet, which helps flavors blend instead of sitting separate.
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