These Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles are so easy to make and ready in 10 minutes! Gluten-free noodles dressed in a nutty, sweet, spicy, and umami sauce that's vegan and soy-free! Healthy homemade Chinese take-out that's perfect to make ahead of time and meal prep for quick lunches and weeknight dinners! Even customize it with extra veggies and proteins!
Slurpy, saucy, nutty, delicious gluten-free noodles that will be irresistible to anyone! These cold sesame peanut noodles are ready in 10 minutes and are beyond easy to make! Perfect for tasty meal prep or a healthier way to satisfy your Chinese takeout cravings! These noodles are lower in calories and fat but full of all the mouthwatering flavors you love! Vegan and soy-free, you'll be making these sesame noodles on repeat!
Why You'll Love This Noodle Recipe
This gluten-free takeout recipe can be customized to fit your flavor preferences and easily modified to whatever ingredients you have on hand! Combining the flavors of peanut and sesame together, create one crowd-pleasing dish that satisfies all the taste sensations. This homemade recipe is:
- Gluten-Free
- Vegan & Vegetarian
- Allergy-friendly (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Tree Nut-Free, Wheat-Free, Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
- Sugar-Free or Low-Sugar
- Kid-Approved
- Quick, Easy, Healthy, and Customizable
- Make-Ahead & Meal Prep-Friendly
- Perfect Lunch Idea or Simple Weeknight Dinner
Ingredients For Sesame Peanut Noodles
- Gluten-Free Noodles: Any long gluten-free noodles you have on hand will work in this recipe! I like to use gluten-free spaghetti, but you can also use gluten-free soba or ramen noodles, rice noodles, grain-free spaghetti, or legume noodles (like chickpea or lentil).
- Coconut Aminos: This recipe is soy-free, so instead of using soy sauce which contains soy and wheat, or tamari which contains soy but is gluten-free, you can use coconut aminos which delivers the same salty umami taste you need in good Asian takeout!
- Rice Vinegar: A splash of acid balances out the nutty, spicy, sweet, and salty flavors in the sauce. You can use plain rice vinegar or brown rice vinegar.
- Peanut Butter + Peanut Flour: Creamy smooth natural peanut butter plus some peanut flour! This increases the intensity of the peanut taste and cuts back on calories and fat!
- Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil not only adds ALL the delicious flavor, but it prevents the noodles from sticking together!
- Tahini: Trust me when I say, adding some smooth tahini is one of the best-kept secrets to a showstopping flavor-packed sesame noodle recipe! Tahini is sesame seed butter, adding a creamy nutty flavor that blends perfectly with the peanut butter in this dish and gives you optimal sesame flavor.
- Garlic + Onion Powder + Ginger + Sugar: Garlic and onion powder, ground ginger, and a pinch of sugar-free sweetener (or normal sugar) are the perfect blend of seasonings to enhance and sweeten these gluten-free noodles.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: Adding toasted sesame seeds directly to the sauce, not just as a topping is key!
- Chili Paste: Add as much or as little as you want! Chili paste adds just the right amount of spiciness to these Asian noodles.
- Toppings: You can top your noodles with sesame seeds (toasted sesame seeds are best!), crushed peanuts, or sliced scallions.
Can You Use A Different Nut Butter?
- Need to make this recipe peanut free? You can swap in another natural creamy nut butter like almond butter or cashew butter. For peanut allergies, you can also use sunflower seed butter (sunbutter) which will be a whole other level of deliciousness! You can also make this recipe without peanut butter by using more tahini.
- To make these noodles sesame free, swap the sesame oil with peanut oil or sunflower oil. Swap the tahini with more peanut butter or your choice of nut butter or sunflower butter.
Other Helpful Substitutions
- Swap your gluten-free noodles with spiralized zucchini for a low-carb and keto-friendly alternative.
- If you don't have rice vinegar on hand, you can swap in white vinegar or cider vinegar instead.
- Don't have peanut flour? You can replace the peanut flour in this recipe with an equal amount of peanut butter. If using almond butter you can use almond powder (not flour).
- If you don't want any added sweetness to your noodles, you can leave out the sugar or swap in honey, vegan honey, or maple syrup if you prefer!
How To Make Cold Sesame Noodles
- Boil your gluten-free noodles according to the package directions. Drain and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the noodles al dente.
- Place the noodles back in the pot or in a serving bowl and add the sesame oil to the noodles. Toss to coat and prevent them from sticking.
- While the noodles cook, in a small bowl, mix together all the other ingredients for the sauce until combined. If your nut butter isn't drippy enough, toss the sauce in a blender to help make it smooth.
- Pour the whisked sauce over the cooked noodles. Serve right away or chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Top with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, chives, or crushed peanuts if desired.
Customize Your Noodles With Add-Ins
- Add Protein: For non-vegans, you can add grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp. For vegan protein options, you can add soy-free tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas!
- Add Extra Veggies: Julienned or thinly sliced bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, snow peas, or carrots would be delicious. You can add them raw to the final dish or lightly steam them.
- Add Some Spice: Make these noodles extra spicy with a few teaspoons of sriracha or chili oil!
What To Serve With Sesame Noodles
These noodles are perfect as a main dish with add-ins, but you can also serve them as a simple side dish with entrees like orange chicken, vegan orange chickpeas, cashew chicken, sweet and sour chicken, or general tso's chicken.
How To Make Sesame Noodles Ahead Of Time
You can cook your noodles ahead of time and toss them with the oil before storing them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Whisk together the sauce in a separate bowl and store it in a container on the side to prevent the noodles from getting soggy. The sauce can be made up to a week in advance.
Storage Instructions
Since these gluten-free sesame noodles are meant to be eaten cold or chilled, you can store leftovers in a container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. They're perfect for meal prep and cold lunches, just like any other leftover Chinese takeout!
More Gluten-Free Asian Side Dish Recipes:
- Classic Vegetable Fried Rice
- 10-Minute Vegetable Lo Mein
- Spicy Red Sriracha Quinoa
- Sesame Broccoli Quinoa
- Asian Pasta Salad
- Scallion Oil Noodles
Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
A favorite Chinese take-out dish made right at home! A gluten-free, vegan, and soy-free recipe for Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles! Quick, easy, and mighty tasty, these noodles will be gone in a flash!
- Prep Time: 2 Minutes
- Cook Time: 8 Minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side, Main
- Method: Stove-Top
- Cuisine: Chinese, Asian
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 2 TB Coconut Aminos
- 2 TB Rice Vinegar
- 1 ½ TB Smooth Peanut Butter
- 1 TB Peanut Flour*
- 1 TB Pure Sesame Oil
- 1 TB Tahini
- 1 TB Toasted Sesame Seeds (plus more to top)
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tsp Granulated Sweetener (or preferred granulated sugar)
- ½ Tsp Chili Paste
- ½ Tsp Ground Ginger
- ½ Tsp Onion Powder
- Chopped Scallions or Chives (optional, to top)
Instructions
- Cook the gluten-free spaghetti according to package directions, drain, rinse under cold water, and add them back to the pot or a serving bowl. Toss the noodles with the sesame oil.
- While the noodles are cooking, whisk together all the sauce ingredients, except additional sesame seeds and green onion, in a small bowl. If needed, blend the sauce in a blender until mostly smooth
- Pour the sauce over the cooked noodles and serve or chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Serve with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds crushed peanuts, or chopped scallion if desired.
Notes
- Make this recipe peanut free: You can swap in another natural creamy nut butter like almond butter or cashew butter. For peanut allergies, you can also use sunflower seed butter. You can also make this recipe without peanut butter by using more tahini.
- Make this recipe sesame free: swap the sesame oil with peanut oil or sunflower oil. Swap the tahini with more peanut butter or your choice of nut butter or sunflower butter.
- If you don't have peanut flour, you can use an equal amount of peanut butter in its place.
- Leftovers: You can store leftovers in a closed container in the fridge for about 5-7 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
Keywords: sesame peanut noodles, sesame noodles, peanut noodles, cold sesame noodles, gluten-free sesame noodles, gluten-free peanut noodles
One of my favorite takeout dishes growing up was sesame noodles and this recipe is the closest thing to reliving those delicious memories (actually, it's even better!)
So tell me:
+ What is one of your favorite Chinese takeout dishes to order? I have/had so many!
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Kirsten
I can’t wait to try this recipe!
★★★★★
Rebecca Pytell
Awesome, enjoy!
Miz Helen
Your Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles will be delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are!
kimmythevegan
Oh yum! I thought I was the only one that liked cold noodles. It's simple and great for a busy weeknight dinner. The only thing that could possible make this better is a side of steamed broccoli.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well I'd hope you'd get vegetables with dinner too.
Mel
I've never had cold noodles! Now that's a great idea to use up any leftovers for a quick and healthy lunch.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I don't think people are understanding exactly what that means...
Evi @ greenevi
I could eat this every day <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Me too 😉
kristin mccarthy
Damn I love carbs.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Bahaha 😉
Annmarie
I've been digging anything sesame lately- this looks great
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
This looks amazing!! I need to stock up on some of the things on the list!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you make it!
Joyce @ The Hungry Caterpillar
Yum! I love cold noodle salad. Definitely keeping this in mind for the future.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Corina
Such a lovely recipe! So simple looking but I know from the ingredients that they'd be so so delicious too. Sometimes you just need a bowl of noodles, warm or cold!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is exactly right!
Caroline
This looks really yummy! I'm a huge fan of anything peanut butter related. I think it would be great to make ahead and have for lunch.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That would be perfect!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
The recipe sounds delicious AND easy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea, thanks!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy
I've always loved cold sesame peanut noodles! So good!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The best!
Donna
Oh I love cold noodles! I haven't tried them in so long though, now I have total cravings 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The sesame and peanut calls you!
Nicole Dawson
I never use to like cold noodles unless they were plain but I'd be loving these nowadays! Thank goodness our taste buds grow up too.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This is a take-out classic everyone loves!
Chandice Probst
Love a good noodle dish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Always hits the spot!
fabiola@notjustbaked
So easy and perfect for dinner this week, thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yup! Super quick!
A Narrow-Minded Woman
YUM!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Lol!
Sandra
Nothing is healthy and better than peanuts!!
Thanks
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, whatever you say!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
Looks amazing, Rebecca! I haven't had sesame peanut noodles in forever. I'm glad that now I can make them at home!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Gotta whip some up!
Megan
I love quick and easy meals like this--esp noodle based ones, because they're so filling!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
And no one turns down some pasta 😉
Uma
Lovely bowl of noodles! Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Chloe
Mmm~! Peanut noodles are one of my favorite dishes to make! Can't wait to try this out especially that it's gluten free! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Jessi's Design
mmm I'd love a huge bowl of these right this second! One of my favs for sure!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Liz
These look amazing! I'm a sucker for an Asian noodle dish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Aren't we all 😉 Thanks, Liz!
Kelly
There's nothing better than a good peanut noodle and love that you can easily eat these cold. So many options!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O yea! Thanks, Kelly!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
I am a big fan of cold noodles. This recipe looks great!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Robyn Gleason
I always smile when I read your posts, Rebecca, cos I have the feeling you have an absolute blast in the kitchen! I'm always running to the store too even though I feel that I meticulously plan out each recipe, lol.
This looks delicious and I'm pretty sure I could eat noodles every day for the rest of my life. Love your unique and tasty recipes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I do! Cooking is the best, it should be fun!!
Sarah
This looks delicious! Definitely on the list to make for picnics this summer!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Courtney
I think I could have lived on sesame peanut noodles when I was younger. SO GOOD. I love the looks of your version!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, right? They always hit the spot!
Debora Dahl
This looks great! My husband is allergic to wheat. looking forward to see more recipes on your blog!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know he'll love this!
J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all
What a delicious sounding noodle dish! I love cold pasta dishes so I am definitely going to need to try this one out! The sesame and peanut has me hooked!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! Thank you!
Choclette
Love the flavours here, but I'm not sure I find the idea of cold noodles terribly appealing. I guess I'm just going to have to try them before I make up my mind 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, well that's how this dish is served!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
I love cold noodle meals like this, especially when it has those Asian-inspired ingredients. Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Can't beat the classic take-out!
Pretty Patel
Like the sound of these noddles but think I will eat it warm. I have a think about cold food which should be hot unless it's pizza!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
These taste 100% better cold!
Lyn Corinne Liner
These look quite tasty. I'm a big 'dinner for breakfast' person, so these are going on my 'must-try-soon' list. Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, this would be an interesting way to start the day!
Victoria Pease
Oh man, I really want a bowl of this for my dinner tonight! Sometimes the simplest dishes are the best! My usual Chinese takeaway order is singapore noodles and spring rolls so this is right up my street and a lot healthier too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is so right! O I've never had Singapore noodles!
Leigh Suznovich
Oh I love sesame peanut noodles and this version looks amazing!! Need to try it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you do! Thanks!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
While Lo Mein is actually my favorite, I do love sesame peanut noodles, as well. These sound incredible!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Any Chinese noodles are a win 😉
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
Yummy! So much healthier than ordering takeout!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You bet! And just as tasty!
Platter Talk
This is one of my favorite dishes! Thanks for the GF version.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic! I hope you enjoy!
Elinor Kugler
This looks SO very tasty! I absolutely love peanut butter! And the fact that it's gluten free! Thanks for this great recipe Rebecca, will try it soon 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!! Anything with peanut has my name all over it 😉
Linda @ Veganosity
Agreed, I love most recipes the next day. It gives the ingredients a chance to mingle and really get to know each other, which results in flavor! These look delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! I feel like that's just part of the "cooking" process 😉