WHAT’S FOR DINNER?
Peanut Butter Noodles
Array/5
COOK TIME
10 min
TOTAL TIME
15 min
SERVINGS
3-4 servings
If you’ve got a family that loves noodles, you’ll absolutely love making these easy, customizable Peanut Butter Noodles! They’re tossed in a sweet and savory sesame peanut sauce that comes together quickly and makes the perfect base for your favorite veggies and protein. Kid friendly, great for weeknights and packed with flavor!
Noodles are always a win in our house, especially when I need something quick and easy. The sauce is a simple mix of pantry staples like sesame oil, soy sauce, and creamy peanut butter, and it turns plain noodles into something you will have on heavy rotation for the whole family!
This recipe actually came to light because of my daughter. She’s a total noodle lover and would eat them every day if she could. After making Crockpot Chicken and Noodles and Butter Parmesan Noodles over and over, I started experimenting with different sauces to keep things interesting, and once I mixed up this peanut butter version, she was hooked! It’s sweet, a little nutty, and full of flavor but not too spicy or overwhelming for little tastebuds. Now she asks for these on repeat and happily polishes off a big bowl every time.
What I love most about this dish is how everything just works together. The peanut butter adds creaminess, the soy sauce and rice vinegar balance things with salt and tang, and the honey brings in a touch of sweetness. It all gets whisked into a silky sauce that clings to every bite. It’s perfect on it’s own or for adding your favorite veggies or protein to change it up each time!
Why Make Peanut Butter Ramen?
Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples to whip up the peanut butter sauce.
Kid friendly: The creamy peanut butter and slightly sweet sauce make this a huge hit with kids. It’s flavorful without being spicy, and the fun noodle texture makes it easy for little ones to eat.
Customizable: You can easily make this recipe your own by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu, plus any veggies your family enjoys. It’s the perfect blank canvas for whatever you have in the fridge!
Quick and easy: This entire meal comes together in about 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a last-minute lunch. They can even be enjoyed cold!
Great for leftovers: The noodles reheat surprisingly well and can be enjoyed warm or cold the next day. Make a double batch and enjoy it for lunch throughout the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ramen Noodles – These quick-cooking noodles are the perfect base for the sauce and give that chewy, texture everyone loves. But, skip the seasoning packet!
Sesame Oil – Brings a warm, nutty flavor that gives the noodles a restaurant-style taste. It adds richness and depth with just a small splash.
Peanut Butter – This is what makes the sauce creamy, smooth, and nutty. I like using creamy peanut butter so it blends easily into the sauce.
Honey – Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the salt and tang.
Soy Sauce – Adds that deep, savory umami flavor that ties everything together. I usually go for low-sodium so the sauce isn’t too salty.
Rice Vinegar – A splash of this gives the dish a light, zippy tang that brightens up the creamy peanut butter.
Garlic – Adds a savory taste and aromatic flavor to the sauce and is classic in noodle and ramen dishes.
Step By Step Instructions
Cook the noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions. Discard the flavor packets or use them for a different recipe. Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.
Make the peanut sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, add the sesame oil, peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced garlic. Whisk everything together until the sauce is smooth and the peanut butter is fully incorporated with the other ingredients.
Combine noodles and sauce: Pour the peanut sauce over the cooked noodles while they’re still warm. Use tongs or a large spoon to toss the noodles until they’re evenly coated and glossy with sauce.
Serve and enjoy: Dish up the peanut butter noodles into bowls and serve immediately. Top with cooked chicken, shrimp, or your favorite veggies to make it a complete meal.
Expert Tips
Warm the peanut butter in the microwave for 10–15 seconds if it’s cold or stiff as it’ll blend into the sauce much more smoothly.
Don’t overcook the noodles! Slightly firm noodles hold up better when tossed in the thick sauce.Use tongs to mix the noodles and sauce as it helps evenly coat every strand without breaking them apart.
Rinse the cooked noodles briefly in warm water if they start to clump while draining. It helps loosen them up before adding the sauce.
Keep an eye on the heat when cooking ramen. Those thin noodles go from perfect to mushy fast.
If your sauce seems too thick, add a splash of warm water one tablespoon at a time to help it coat more evenly.
Make a double batch of the sauce and store it in the fridge. It keeps well for several days and makes a quick second meal even easier.
Ways To Customize
One of the best things about these pb noodles is how easy they are to customize. You can switch up the flavor, texture, and protein just by mixing in your favorite ingredients or whatever you have in the fridge!
Veggies: broccoli, zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, shredded cabbage, edamame, spinach, mushrooms, green beans.
Protein: grilled chicken, shrimp, ground turkey, tofu, scrambled egg, steak strips, rotisserie chicken, salmon, tempeh, sliced pork tenderloin.
Seasonings: sriracha, crushed red pepper flakes, lime juice, fresh ginger, chili oil, five spice powder, curry powder, garlic powder, black pepper, hoisin sauce, fish sauce.
Nut Butters: almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, tahini, mixed nut butter, or even peanut butter powder.
Toppings and Garnishes: chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, sliced green onions, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, chili crisp sauce, shredded carrots, crispy onions, cucumber ribbons, crushed uncooked ramen for crunch.
Storing & Reheating
Storing: Leftover peanut butter noodles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken as it chills, but a quick stir will bring it back to life. This dish is not great for freezing because the noodles can become mushy and the sauce may separate after thawing.
Reheating: To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to the noodles and warm them in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until heated through. You can also reheat them in a skillet over low heat, which helps revive the texture without overcooking.
FAQ
Can I use spaghetti or another type of noodle instead of ramen?
Yes, spaghetti, linguine, rice noodles, or even soba noodles all work well. Just cook them according to their package instructions and toss with the sauce as usual.
What kind of peanut butter is best for this recipe?
Creamy peanut butter works best because it blends smoothly into the sauce, but natural peanut butter with oil separation can also work if stirred thoroughly before using.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before adding to the warm noodles.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
Add a spoonful of sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for extra heat. You can also drizzle chili crisp over the top when serving.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written, since ramen noodles and soy sauce usually contain gluten. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free noodles and substitute tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce.
More Kid Approved Dinners
Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
Pizza Toast
Fish Stick Tacos
Print
Peanut Butter Noodles
Simple, delicious and ready in about 15 minutes! A yummy recipe you can add any protein or veggies to.
Ingredients
2 packages of Ramen Noodles (6 oz) discard the seasoning packet
2 Tablespoons sesame oil
1 1/2 Tablespoons peanut butter
2 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
Instructions
1. Cook the ramen noodles according to the package, drain. Do not add the seasoning packet.
2. In a medium bowl, add the sesame oil, peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and garlic. Whisk until combined and the peanut butter is well mixed into the sauce.
3. Pour sauce over the noodles and toss to coat. Serve!
4. You can add veggies and protein of your choice to change up this meal too.
Notes
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14 Responses
This was a wonderful dish.p
Thank you!
MADE THIS TOTALLY QUICK AND YUMMY!
So glad you liked it!
Great quick and easy recipe! My son doesn’t like it, but I do. I used toasted sesame oil and it tasted a bit too smoky to me but I’m not sure how much of a difference that makes. I’d like to keep tinkering with the recipe to find the perfect balance. Thank you for sharing this! ☺️
Trying this but will use sunbutter vs pb and coconut amibos vs soy sauce.
LOVE Love Love this Peanut sauce! Made is separate for salads and zoodles ❤️
Great idea! So glad you liked it!
So quick and easy and delicious! When I first found the recipe, I made it every day for lunch for a week. Raw garlic is hard on my digestion, though, so I first heat up the sesame oil and kind of sauté the garlic in it before I add all the other ingredients. Perfect!
So happy you like this one! It’s so easy and good! Thank you for letting me know!
Is the taste of the noodles sweet?
It’s a bit sweet due to the peanut butter but not overly sweet at all.
10/10!! Added a bag of frozen peas/carrots and ground beef!
Yay, thank you! Great idea to add veggies and ground beef!