Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Name: Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 8 oz Gluten-Free Spaghetti; 2 TB Coconut Aminos; 2 TB Rice Vinegar; 1 1/2 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); 1/2 Tsp Chili Paste; 1/2 Tsp Ground Ginger; 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder; Chopped Scallions or Chives (optional, to top)

Published: Feb 20, 2017 · Modified: Jan 5, 2023 by Rebecca Pytell · This post may contain affiliate links.

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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: