Chili Crisp Ramen Noodles
These tender ramen noodles are laced with a fiery, peanutty sauce that features caramelized chilies, garlic, onions, and fermented soybeans. Each savory slurp excites the palate in the most amazing way.
Most of the flavor from this dish comes from chili crisp. What is chili crisp? Brands vary, but essentially chili crisp is chili-scented oil that’s infused with crispy bits and seasonings. Those crispy bits are often toasted garlic and fermented soybeans, and some brands have peanuts as well. Chili crisp is packed with flavor and texture and makes an excellent base for this sauce. It also makes a great condiment for serving table-side!
I added peanut butter for a little sweetness and nuttiness. If you have food allergies, you can certainly leave it out. I love how the sweetness balances the chili crisp in the sauce, but the sauce would be fine without it.
You can make this dish as spicy as you want! This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of chili crisp, plus more for serving. You can use more, or cut back the amount you use in the sauce, and let folks add more at the table.
This affordable dish is made with instant ramen noodles. Few things are more affordable that instant ramen, am I right? That said, you can swap in your favorite Asian noodle or pasta of choice. Which means you can use rice noodles and spaghetti too!
You can add protein to this dish if you want. For added protein, fold in some cooked chicken, steak, shrimp, or seared tofu!
Chili Crisp Ramen Noodles
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili crisp, or more/less to taste
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, regular or seasoned
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 3-ounce packets ramen noodles, seasoning packets discarded (or save them for another use)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Sliced green onions for serving, optional
- Toasted sesame seeds for serving, optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chili crisp, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions. Drain and add the noodles to the bowl with the other ingredients. Toss to coat. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more chili crisp if desired.
- Top with green onions and sesame seeds (if using) and serve.