Low-Carb Sesame Peanut Noodles Recipe

Sesame peanut noodles are a favorite food amongst many a takeout aficionado. Whether you prefer them hot or cold, topped with chicken and vegetables, or on their own, sesame noodles are one of those dishes that we crave over and over again. (It’s also one of those situations when most of us probably don’t think low-carb sesame noodles are really a “thing.”)

Hearty, satisfying, filling, and unique, sesame peanut noodles offer complex flavors in a different-yet-familiar dish that people adore. Here’s how to make amazing, low-carb, keto-friendly sesame noodles with It's Skinny.

All About Sesame Peanut Noodles

Although sesame noodles are a Szechuan-style dish, they truly originated in New York City. Renowned chef Shorty Tang created the killer noodles at his Chinatown restaurant, Hwa Yuan. They quickly took off like wildfire in 1970s Manhattan, with many copycat versions cropping up.

Today, sesame noodles are on almost every takeout menu in the United States. Sesame noodles are enjoyed both hot and cold. Some versions are vegetable-heavy with broccoli, peppers, carrots, cabbage, and cucumbers. Other versions include meaty additions, including chicken, duck, or beef.

With sugar and traditional noodles, the original dish is nowhere near low carb. Most sesame noodle dishes clock in at around 350 calories per cup (occasionally more). So what’s a keto dieter or carb-watcher to do? Forego the deliciousness and nostalgia of these fantastic noodles? No way! Is there such a thing as low-carb sesame noodles?

We’ve recreated sesame peanut noodles with a low-carb, keto-friendly twist. Thanks to It’s Skinny Spaghetti—a perfect ZERO net carb stand-in for traditional noodles—you can have all the flavor and joy of this flavor-packed dish with none of the guilt!

When served cold, sesame noodles have the perfect contrast of heat from spice and cool, fresh flavors. Warmed, the noodles become an ultra-comforting dish that's perfect after a long, tough day. Something about peanut butter and sesame really hit the spot, especially with spicy, salty, and slightly sweet ginger notes. This low-carb pasta dish has it all.

The silky, creamy sauce covers the noodles, salted peanuts give a protein-rich crunch, and soy sauce brings that craveable umami. We use habanero pepper to give the dish an extra kick.

Speaking of spice (and cult followings), we use chili crisp in this dish. If you're wondering what chili crisp is, prepare to fall in love. Crunchy, spicy, complex, fruity…chili crisp is a condiment many folks can't get enough of. Combining a variety of interesting ingredients, including Szechuan pepper, sesame oil, seeds, crystallized ginger, and more, chili crisps come in a wide array of styles.

If you have a favorite chili crisp brand already, include it in these sesame noodles. Otherwise, they offer an excellent opportunity to explore the condiment and find a variety you love. One word of caution to keto-dieters, chili crisp can contain sugar, so be sure to read the label and select a low-carb type for your cooking.

On that same note, we use creamy peanut butter for the silky sauce in this dish. You could reach for your favorite jarred brand, but remember that most typical brands contain sugar. So, again, if you're watching your carbs, select a natural, sugar-free creamy peanut butter for this dish.

It’s Skinny Noodles for Low-Carb Deliciousness

What makes these low-carb sesame peanut noodles so low-carb? It’s Skinny Spaghetti is the secret to having all the deliciousness of noodles without packing in starchy, heavy carbohydrates.

If you’ve never tried It’s Skinny Pasta, this low-carb sesame noodle dish is the perfect opportunity because it’s all about the saucy noodles! It’s Skinny Pasta plays very well with flavorful sauces, as it takes on the dish's flavors and blends seamlessly with the sesame peanut sauce.

How does It’s Skinny Pasta do it? How do you make no-carb pasta? It’s Skinny gets its stellar stats from a little-known ingredient called konjac. Konjac root is ubiquitous in Asian cooking, but it’s just starting to be discovered here in the United States, largely thanks to shirataki noodles.

Shirataki noodles, or konjac noodles, are made from the root vegetable, which resembles a turnip or potato. Konjac contains high levels of fiber, particularly diet-friendly glucomannan fiber, which happens to hold blood sugar levels steady while keeping you feeling full--in other words, the perfect diet noodle.

It’s Skinny has only 9 calories per pack and zero net carbs. It’s gluten-free, vegan, and friendly for a variety of lifestyles, including keto, low-carb, paleo, and more. It's also ideal for intermittent fasters, allowing you to enjoy a bowl of filling, very low-calorie pasta with salt and pepper and not break your fast!

It’s Skinny comes in four delicious varieties—perfect for recreating all your favorite comfort foods. Explore the varieties:

• It’s Skinny Spaghetti
• It’s Skinny Fettuccine
• It’s Skinny Angel Hair
• It’s Skinny Rice

Can’t choose a variety? No worries! Our variety pack offers all four types of It’s Skinny in a convenient pack. Try them all and decide which one you love the most. Once you try them, you’ll be hooked! This is comfort food done your way!

If you're ready to give It's Skinny a shot, we recommend starting with this classic sesame peanut noodle dish. It doesn't get much better than a big bowl of satisfying low-carb sesame noodles!

Frequently Asked Questions About Low-Carb Sesame Peanut Noodles

Scroll ahead to the recipe if you’re ready to get cooking! But here are a few of our favorite tips and hacks to make your sesame noodles even more delicious (if that’s even possible)!

Can I Add Protein to My Low-Carb Sesame Noodles?

You may want to ramp up your protein intake if you're on a high-protein, low-carb diet like keto. Sesame noodles are an excellent base for adding in your favorite protein. These low-carb sesame noodles pair perfectly with almost any type of meat.

A few of our favorite proteins for It’s Skinny sesame noodles are shrimp, chicken, steak, tofu, and salmon. Sesame peanut noodles pair surprisingly well with fish. You could also try these noodles with pork or duck—common proteins in Szechuan-style cooking.

What Vegetables Would Go Well with Sesame Peanut Noodles?

Traditionally, this dish was often served with cucumbers. The cool, crisp, fresh cucumbers go well with the creaminess and spice, especially because sesame noodles are all about contrasts. You could also add carrots, snow peas, peppers, zucchini, broccoli, or cauliflower.

Can You Enjoy Sesame Noodles Hot and Cold?

One of the best parts of sesame noodles is that they’re equally delicious hot or cold. Enjoy the noodles for lunch or dinner (heck, even breakfast if you want). These noodles are great as a portable dish to enjoy whenever or wherever you go.

The noodles will keep for a few days, although they are, of course, best fresh. Allowing the sauce to rest for a short time lets the flavors and spices blend to create some of the rich complexity that makes this takeout favorite so famous.

How to Make Low-Carb Sesame Peanut Noodles

Ready to get cooking? You can make these low-carb sesame peanut noodles in just a few minutes. Whip some up to enjoy on a weeknight, make them for friends, or take them as tomorrow’s lunch. Sesame noodles are delicious no matter how you serve them! Warning—this dish is addictive! 

Watch the video tutorial from Chef Michele Ragussis below!