Garlic Chili Oil Noodles Recipe

Quick & Zesty Garlic Chili Oil Noodles Recipe That Sizzles

Garlic chili oil noodles burst with vibrant, fiery flavors that dance across your palate like a culinary symphony.

Bold and unapologetic, these noodles combine intense heat with rich, aromatic undertones that elevate a simple dish into a memorable experience.

Spicy enthusiasts and flavor seekers will find themselves captivated by the intricate balance of warmth and depth.

Each strand becomes a canvas for complex, layered seasonings that ignite the senses and redefine an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

The magic lies in the harmonious blend of robust ingredients that create a sensational taste profile.

Passionate home cooks can easily master this deceptively simple yet incredibly satisfying recipe that promises to tantalize taste buds and spark culinary creativity.

Why Garlic Chili Oil Noodles Are Spicy, Simple, and So Satisfying

  • Burst with Bold Flavors: This recipe delivers a spicy punch with layers of garlic, chili, and aromatic herbs that dance on your taste buds.
  • Customize Your Heat Level: Control the spiciness by adjusting chili flakes and cayenne, making it perfect for everyone from mild to wild spice lovers.
  • Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: From start to finish, these noodles come together in under 30 minutes, offering a fast and delicious meal for busy home cooks.
  • Restaurant-Quality Comfort at Home: Transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish that impresses with minimal cooking skills and maximum flavor impact.

Ingredients for Garlic Chili Oil Noodles

Oil and Aromatics:
  • Sesame Oil, Peanut Oil: Rich, nutty base for intense flavor and helps distribute heat evenly.
  • Garlic: Provides deep, pungent taste and aromatic foundation for the dish.
  • Shallots: Adds mild, sweet undertone and subtle complexity to the sauce.
  • Bay Leaf: Delivers subtle herbal background note and depth to the overall flavor.
Spices and Heat:
  • Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty crunch and toasty texture to the noodles.
  • Ginger: Brings warm, spicy undertone and enhances overall aromatic profile.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Korean Chili Flakes, Paprika, Cayenne Pepper: Creates layered, customizable heat with different spice levels and flavor dimensions.
Noodles and Vegetables:
  • Rice Noodles: Light, soft base that absorbs sauce beautifully.
  • Bell Peppers: Provides fresh, sweet crunch and vibrant color to the dish.
  • Cilantro, Thai Basil, Green Onions: Fresh herbs that add brightness and herbal complexity.
Sauce Components:
  • Tamari, Soy Sauce: Adds umami, saltiness, and depth to the overall flavor profile.

How to Make Garlic Chili Oil Noodles Fast

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Chili Oil Base

Heat a medium skillet and combine:
  • Sesame oil
  • Garlic
  • Shallots
  • Bay leaf
Cook over medium heat until garlic turns golden and crispy (5-8 minutes). Stir in:
  • Sesame seeds
  • Ginger

Cook for an additional minute.

Transfer the fragrant oil mixture to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Create Spicy Oil Blend

Add to the warm oil:
  • Chili flakes
  • Paprika
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Salt

Mix thoroughly. Optional: Reserve half the oil for serving later.

Step 3: Cook Noodles and Vegetables

Prepare noodles according to package instructions. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add:
  • Bell peppers

Save 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 4: Combine and Season

Toss hot noodles with:
  • Prepared chili oil
  • Tamari or soy sauce
  • Fresh herbs

Add reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Transfer noodles to serving plates. Top with:
  • Additional chili oil
  • Chopped green onions

Enjoy immediately while hot and flavorful.

Tips for Balancing Spice and Aroma in Chili Noodles

  • Infuse Flavor Gradually: Slowly cook garlic and shallots to develop a deep, rich taste without burning, which can make the oil bitter.
  • Control Spice Level: Adjust chili flakes and cayenne according to your heat tolerance, allowing personalized flavor intensity.
  • Reserve Pasta Water: Keeping some starchy cooking water helps create a silky, smooth sauce that perfectly coats the noodles.
  • Toast Aromatics Carefully: Watch sesame seeds and ginger closely while toasting to prevent burning and ensure a nutty, fragrant base.
  • Prep Ingredients Ahead: Chop herbs, measure spices, and slice green onions before starting to streamline the cooking process and ensure a stress-free meal.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Garlic Chili Oil Noodles

  • Refrigerate: Transfer noodles to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the chili oil separate to maintain texture.
  • Reheat: Warm noodles in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or extra chili oil to restore moisture. Stir gently to prevent breaking the noodles and ensure even heating.
  • Best Practices: Consume refrigerated noodles within 3 days for optimal flavor and quality. Avoid freezing, as the noodles might become mushy and lose their original texture.

What Sides Go with Garlic Chili Oil Noodles

  • Sip Spicy Soju Companion: Pair these fiery noodles with a chilled Korean soju to balance the heat and complement the garlic-chili flavors. The crisp, clean alcohol cuts through the rich oil and provides a refreshing contrast.
  • Chill with Cucumber Cooldown: Serve a side of quick cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame seeds. Its cool, crisp texture and light acidity will neutralize the spicy noodles and provide a palate-cleansing effect.
  • Brew Bold Oolong Tea: Select a robust oolong tea that can stand up to the intense chili and garlic notes. Its slightly smoky and nutty undertones will enhance the complexity of the dish while helping to temper the spiciness.
  • Sprinkle Fresh Herb Finish: Top the noodles with a generous handful of chopped cilantro and Thai basil. These fresh herbs will add brightness, cut through the oil's richness, and introduce a vibrant layer of aromatic complexity to the dish.

Flavor Variations for Chili Oil Noodle Lovers

  • Protein Power Noodles: Replace bell peppers with grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp for a protein-packed meal that adds extra nutrition and flavor.
  • Veggie Fusion Noodles: Swap bell peppers with zucchini, carrots, or spinach to create a colorful and nutrient-rich vegetable version of the dish.
  • Spice Level Selector: Adjust chili flakes and cayenne pepper to create mild, medium, or extra-hot versions based on personal heat tolerance and preference.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use rice noodles or gluten-free pasta and substitute tamari for regular soy sauce to make the recipe celiac-friendly and accessible.
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Garlic Chili Oil Noodles Recipe

Garlic Chili Oil Noodles Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Garlic chili oil noodles bring bold Chinese street flavor to your kitchen with minimal ingredients. Quick and spicy pantry magic delivers restaurant-quality comfort that satisfies serious noodle cravings in minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Noodles:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) rice noodles
  • 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced

Spices and Aromatics:

  • 3 teaspoons ginger, grated
  • 1 small head garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 smaller shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 13 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Korean chili flakes (Gochugaru) (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste

Oils, Sauces, and Herbs:

  • ¾ cup (180 milliliters) sesame or peanut oil
  • ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) tamari or soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh Thai or regular basil
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh green onions

Instructions

  1. Infuse sesame oil with minced garlic, finely chopped shallots, and a bay leaf in a medium skillet over medium heat. Allow ingredients to sizzle and develop a rich golden color, stirring occasionally for 5-7 minutes.
  2. Incorporate toasted sesame seeds and freshly grated ginger into the aromatic oil mixture, cooking for an additional minute to enhance the flavor profile.
  3. Transfer the infused oil to a large mixing bowl, introducing dried chili flakes, smoky paprika, and fiery cayenne pepper. Season with salt to create a robust chili oil base.
  4. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and cook noodles according to package instructions. During the final three minutes of cooking, add sliced bell peppers to blanch them slightly.
  5. Reserve a quarter cup of starchy cooking water before draining the noodles and vegetables. Immediately toss the hot noodles with the prepared chili oil, tamari sauce, and a vibrant blend of fresh herbs.
  6. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually incorporate the reserved cooking water to achieve a silky, glossy coating on the noodles.
  7. Plate the noodles and garnish generously with additional chili oil and thinly sliced green onions for a final burst of color and flavor.

Notes

  • Transform ordinary noodles into a spicy sensation with this homemade chili oil infusion that packs a punch of flavor.
  • Crispy garlic and aromatic herbs elevate this simple dish from basic to restaurant-worthy in just minutes.
  • Customize heat levels by adjusting chili flakes and experimenting with different pepper varieties for a personalized culinary adventure.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 580
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 55 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 45 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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