Looking for a fresh, vibrant meal that’s both nourishing and easy to prepare? These healthy vermicelli noodle bowls with peanut butter sauce are a perfect choice! Packed with crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs, and a creamy, umami-rich peanut dressing, this dish is satisfying, gluten-free, and naturally dairy-free. It’s a quick meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner, and you can customise it with your favourite protein for an extra boost.
Originally published October 2018 | Updated March 2025
Why You’ll Love These Vermicelli Noodle Bowls
- Quick & Easy – Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal cooking required.
- Fresh & Healthy – A light, veggie-packed dish full of colour and nutrients.
- Customisable – Add your preferred protein, swap out vegetables, or adjust the dressing to your taste.
- Meal-Prep Friendly – Prep the ingredients ahead of time and assemble when ready to eat.
What Are Vermicelli Noodles?
Vermicelli noodles are thin rice noodles that cook quickly and absorb flavours beautifully. They are naturally gluten-free and have a delicate, slightly chewy texture. You’ll often find them in Vietnamese, Thai, and other Southeast Asian dishes. In this recipe, they serve as a light yet satisfying base, complementing the crunchy veggies and creamy peanut butter sauce.
Most of the time, vermicelli are made from white rice, however I have occasionally seen brown rice vermicelli available. These have a slightly longer cooking time. If you’re looking to add a little extra wholegrains and fibre to your diet, keep an eye out for the brown rice vermicelli! Keep in mind though, that there are plenty of fresh veggies in this particular recipe to add fibre to your plate.
How to Make Vermicelli Noodle Bowls
Step 1: Prepare Your Noodles
Start by soaking or boiling the vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions. Typically, they only need to soak in hot water for a few minutes before draining and rinsing under cold water to stop the cooking process. This keeps them from becoming too soft and sticky.
Step 2: Chop the Vegetables
Fresh, raw vegetables add crunch and colour to this dish. Shred some lettuce, julienne carrots, thinly slice cucumber, and dice a tomato. Spring onions and fresh mint bring extra flavour and freshness. You can also toss in some roasted peanuts or cashews for added crunch.
Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Sauce
The creamy peanut butter sauce is what ties everything together! Simply whisk together crunchy peanut butter, tamari (or soy sauce), rice wine vinegar, and maple syrup. You can adjust the thickness by adding a splash of warm water if needed. The result is a rich, nutty sauce with the perfect balance of sweetness and tang.
Step 4: Assemble & Serve
Divide the cooked vermicelli noodles into bowls and top with the prepared vegetables and your choice of protein. Drizzle generously with the peanut butter sauce and toss everything together before serving.
Customisation Ideas
- Protein Options: Poached chicken, grilled tofu, prawns, beef strips, or tempeh all work beautifully.
- Vegetable Swaps: Use shredded red cabbage, capsicum (a.k.a. bell peppers), or bean sprouts for extra variety.
- Nut-Free Alternative: Swap peanut butter for tahini or sunflower seed butter.
- Spicy Kick: Add a dash of chilli flakes or sriracha to the peanut butter sauce. Alternatively, add chilli flakes or freshly chopped chillies to the finished dish.
Perfect for Meal Prep
These vermicelli noodle bowls make a great meal-prep option. Simply store the cooked noodles, chopped vegetables, and peanut sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge. When ready to eat, assemble everything in a bowl and enjoy! Need even more Time-Saving Tips?
- Rotisserie Chicken: For a quick option, use store-bought rotisserie chicken. Simply shred and add to your noodle bowl.
- Pre-Cut Vegetables: Utilise pre-cut veggies from the supermarket to reduce prep time.
Try These Delicious Vermicelli Noodle Bowls Today!
If you’re craving a light yet flavour-packed meal, these vermicelli noodle bowls with peanut butter sauce are a must-try! They’re fresh, customisable, and incredibly easy to make. If you give this recipe a go, tag me on Instagram @nourish.everyday – I’d love to see your creations!
Healthy Vermicelli Noodle Bowls with Peanut Butter Sauce
Ingredients
Vermicelli Noodle Bowls
- 60 grams dried rice vermicelli noodles
- 6 leaves cos lettuce or other similar lettuce
- 1 carrot
- 1 cucumber (I usually use a lebanese cucumber)
- 2 spring onions
- 1 handful mint – optional
- 30 grams roasted cashews or peanuts – optional
- 2 serves protein of choice e.g. chicken, tofu, beef, tempeh
Instructions
- Prepare the Protein: If adding a protein like chicken or tofu, cook it first as it may take the longest. For poached chicken, bring a saucepan of water to a boil, add the chicken breast, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until cooked through. Once done, set aside.
- Soak the Noodles: Place the vermicelli noodles in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them soak for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the noodles are soaking, wash and chop the lettuce, carrot, cucumber, tomato, and spring onions into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Peanut Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, tamari, rice wine vinegar, and maple syrup until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water to reach your desired consistency.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the drained noodles between two bowls. Arrange the chopped vegetables on top, followed by your chosen protein. Drizzle generously with the peanut butter sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh mint leaves and roasted nuts over the top if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Protein Variations
- Pan-Fried Tofu or Tempeh: For a plant-based protein boost, pan-fry firm tofu or tempeh until golden and crispy.
- Grilled Meats: Grill chicken thighs, steak, or pork, then slice thinly before adding to your bowl.
- Seafood Options: Crispy pan-fried salmon or sautéed prawns make excellent additions.
Time-Saving Tips
- Rotisserie Chicken: For a quick option, use store-bought rotisserie chicken. Simply shred and add to your noodle bowl.
- Pre-Cut Vegetables: Utilize pre-cut veggies from the supermarket to reduce prep time.
Nutrition
I so wish I could print your recipes from my phone. If I hit the print icon, it goes to a copy of the recipe…that visit. Most cooking websites provide a second tiny second print icon at the top of that page but your program doesn’t do that. So sad, because I adore your recipes. (I have a brand new phone and cannot print your recipes from it nor could I from my previous phone)
CATHY
Hi Cathy, I’m so sorry this is happening. I have tried to access my website from my phone (an iPhone) and when I hit “Print Recipe” it opens up a copy of the recipe, but it’s a copy that fits on a single page and then the print dialog box automatically opens up so that I can print that recipe. What does the copy look like for you?