Think of this as a public service announcement rather than a recipe, as this concept is not groundbreaking. However, if you haven’t heard of adding peanut butter to your instant ramen noodles, I’m here to inform you that it’s definitely worth a try. Personally, I enjoy enhancing ramen noodles, and these Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen Noodles might just be my top choice! They’re incredibly fast to make, satisfying, and can be adapted in numerous ways. Allow me to demonstrate the fundamentals, and then you can put your own spin on it!
I’m unsure of the originator of this brilliant concept, but incorporating a dollop of peanut butter into instant ramen is a simplified rendition of Dan Dan Noodles. This fiery Chinese noodle dish melds Sichuan chiles, sesame paste, and peanuts. The delightful fusion of chili and peanut flavors has withstood the test of time due to its addictive nature. For authentic Dan Dan Noodle recipes, you can refer to Omnivores Cookbook or The Woks of Life.
What Kind of Peanut Butter to Use
I strongly recommend opting for natural-style peanut butter, consisting solely of ground-up peanuts and possibly a pinch of salt, without any sugar or added oils. This variety offers a much more intense peanut flavor compared to the highly processed and heavily sweetened alternatives.
In the absence of natural-style peanut butter, it might be necessary to decrease the amount of brown sugar mentioned in the following recipe in order to compensate for the sugar content already present in regular peanut butter.
Can I Make it Not Spicy?
Not only does the chili garlic sauce provide spiciness, but it also imparts garlic flavor and acidity, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce. If you want to create a mild variation of this recipe, you can incorporate these elements separately, resembling the Peanut Lime Dressing.
What Else Can I Add to my Peanut Butter Ramen Noodles?
To keep your Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen Noodles fresh and exciting, feel free to experiment with various proteins and vegetables. Take a look at these suggestions for inspiration:
Do I Need the Ramen Seasoning Packet?
The following recipe is intended to be prepared without the included seasoning packet in the ramen. In case you opt for using the seasoning packet, it is advisable to omit the soy sauce, as it already adds saltiness to the ramen noodles instead of the seasoning packet.
How to Make Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen Noodles – Step by Step Photos
To start, combine 2 tablespoons of natural-style peanut butter, 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce (or sriracha), 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Stir the ingredients until a smooth paste is formed.
If you’re searching for the chili garlic sauce bottle in the store, this is how it appears. It is commonly available in the international aisle of most major grocery stores. In case you can’t locate it, sriracha can serve as a suitable alternative.
To prepare the ramen, heat a small pot of water on high until it reaches a boiling point. Once boiling, extract ¼ cup of the hot water and blend it with the peanut-chili paste until a smooth and easily pourable sauce is achieved.
Next, place the instant ramen noodles (excluding the seasoning packet) into the pot of boiling water. Allow them to boil for approximately 2-3 minutes until they reach the desired tenderness.
After cooking, drain the noodles and place them back into the pot with the heat turned off. Add the peanut sauce to the noodles and stir well to combine.
Make sure to eat these noodles right away for the best taste! Don’t leave them sitting around. Add some sliced green onion on top and savor the dish!
TRY THESE OTHER INSTANT RAMEN RECIPES:
