Instant Peanut Thai Noodles (Printable view)

Creamy peanut and chili crisp sauce coats noodles for a spicy, quick Thai-inspired meal.

# What You Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 2 packs instant ramen noodles, flavor packets discarded

→ 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, as preferred
14 - Lime wedges for serving

# How To Make:

01 - Cook the instant ramen noodles according to package directions. Drain well, 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 or maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, and minced garlic. Gradually add the reserved noodle water or hot water, one tablespoon at a time, blending until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
03 - Toss the cooked noodles in the prepared sauce until thoroughly coated.
04 - Divide the coated noodles evenly between two bowls. Garnish with scallions, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges as desired.
05 - Serve the prepared dish right away for optimal flavor and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely Thai-inspired flavor without the delivery app bill or the wait.
  • The whole thing comes together faster than your kettle boils, making it perfect for weeknight desperation or lazy weekend mornings.
  • One bowl feels indulgent enough to satisfy a craving, but it's so simple you'll actually make it instead of ordering takeout.
02 -
  • The starchy water from the noodle pot is liquid gold—it helps the sauce cling and creates a glossy finish that plain water can't achieve.
  • Peanut butter seizes and gets grainy if you just dump it into hot ingredients dry, so whisking it gently with the other cold ingredients first is the move that separates silky from lumpy.
03 -
  • Taste the sauce before tossing in the noodles so you can adjust the heat, salt, or sweetness to your exact preference.
  • Keep the noodles slightly warm when you combine them with the sauce—cold noodles will make the sauce stiffen up instead of cling.
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