What are Sweet Potato Noodles?
Sweet potato noodles are a type of “noodle” made from spiralizing sweet potatoes into a shape similar to spaghetti or angel hair pasta. You can buy spiralized sweet potato noodles at the grocery store or make them at home by feeding skinned sweet potatoes through a spiralizer.
The sweet potato spiral noodles we are featuring in this recipe are not the same as Korean sweet potato glass noodles (also known as japchae noodles, Korean potato noodles, and Korean vermicelli potato noodles). Korean sweet potato noodles consist of sweet potato starch and water, whereas my noodles come from whole sweet potatoes.
I use a spiralizer to make the sweet potato spaghetti used in this recipe. However, you can find out below how to make spiralized sweet potato noodles without a spiralizer.
How are they Made?
If you’ve ever wondered, “How are sweet potato noodles made?” you’ll be happy to see that they are super easy to make. Yes, you do need a spiralizer (I use this Paderno Spiralizer – affiliate link), but it is a rather inexpensive one-time investment.
Once you have your equipment ready, spiralizing sweet potatoes requires the following three steps:
- Cut and peel the sweet potatoes: Use a sharp knife to cut off both ends of the sweet potato. Then, peel off the skin using a vegetable peeler. Once peeled, cut the sweet potatoes in half, right down the middle.
- Align the sweet potato: Secure your spiralizer on the countertop to keep it from moving (for instance, my spiralizer has suction cups on its bottom to help keep it in place). Take one of your sweet potato halves, line it up with the center prong on your spiralizer, and press it firmly into the prong. Then, press the other end of the spiralizer to secure the sweet potato from both sides.
- Spiralize: Once you secure the sweet potato half, spin the side handle of the spiralizer clockwise while applying pressure. Continue turning the handle until you spiralize the entire sweet potato half. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have spiralized all of your sweet potatoes.
What if I Don’t Have a Spiralizer?
If you don’t have a spiralizer, don’t worry! You can also prepare them using a julienne peeler (affiliate link). Just keep in mind that this method will likely require more physical effort. Also, because the noodles will turn out thinner, they will take less time to cook than spiralized vegetable noodles.
To reduce preparation time, you can also buy pre-prepared sweet potato noodles at the grocery store in lieu of using a spiralizer.
Recipe Ingredients
To make this recipe with sweet potato noodles, you’ll need two sets of ingredients:
For the sauce, you’ll need unsweetened, smooth peanut butter, tamari (or soy sauce), sesame oil, maple syrup, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, fresh lime juice, salt, and vegetable stock.
For the noodles, you’ll need olive oil, onion, red or yellow bell pepper, sweet potatoes, vegetable stock, edamame, and fresh cilantro.
You can also garnish them with sesame seeds, green onions, and lightly salted peanuts (roughly chopped).
Substitutions & Optional Add-Ins
There are countless ways to customize this gluten free sweet potato noodles recipe. These delicious add-ins will take your dish to the next level, from a pop of spice to natural oils.
- Tamari: I use tamari in my noodle dish to make it gluten-free. However, soy sauce works just as well.
- Nut butter: Don’t want to use peanut butter in your pasta sauce? Good news: Almond butter makes an excellent substitute for this sweet potato pasta.
- Oil: I use sesame oil to give my potato and noodles a nutty Asian flavor. However, this recipe also works with light-flavored olive oil or avocado oil.
- Add mushrooms: Few things amplify the taste of these tender veggie noodles more than earthy, buttery mushrooms. Add shiitake mushrooms to your noodles at the start of the recipe, and the mushrooms will come out beautifully sautéed. Or, add Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms just before serving your dish for extra smoky flavor.
- Chili paste: Add a zing of sweet-and-spicy flavor by adding one teaspoon of chili paste to your sweet potato spaghetti recipe.
How to Cook?
Cooking sweet potato noodles is a simple, healthy way to treat yourself to full-bodied Asian flavor. You can have this delicious dish from spiralizer to table in just half an hour.
- Spiralize the sweet potatoes: Trim, peel, and cut your sweet potatoes to prepare them for spiralization. Then, attach the sweet potato halves to your spiralizer, one by one, and turn the handle clockwise until you spiralize each half. Continue spiralizing your sweet potato halves until you have enough noodles.
- Mix the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, tamari, sesame oil, maple syrup, ginger, minced garlic, lime juice, salt, and vegetable stock. Refrigerate the mixture until you are ready to use it.
- Saute the veggies: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and pepper to the skillet and cook them, frequently stirring, until they turn translucent (5-7 minutes).
- Cook the noodles: Add the spiralized sweet potatoes and vegetable stock to the skillet. Using a pair of kitchen tongs, cook sweet potato noodles tossing gently every few minutes until they are al dente and lose most of their volume, for 6-7 minutes.
- Add the dressing: Pour the dressing over the noodles and toss the mixture until the noodles have an equal layer of dressing. Cook the coated noodles until they are warm (2-3 minutes).
- Stir in the edamame: Take the noodles off the heat, then stir in the edamame and chopped cilantro.
- Serve: Divide the noodles among four bowls and garnish each dish with sesame seeds, green onions, and peanuts. Serve.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Preparing sweet potato zoodles is a great way to fit meal prep into your schedule. Whether you serve this dish at a party or pack it for an easy lunch, these storage tips are just what you need.
- Make ahead: To make sweet potato noodles ahead of time, spiralize your sweet potatoes up to 3-4 days in advance. Just be sure to remove air from the noodles’ container during storage. I recommend storing them in an airtight jar or a Ziploc bag with as much air removed as possible. You can also prepare the dressing up to two days in advance, storing it in an airtight container. Finally, you may also chop your vegetables on the day you plan to serve your noodles dish to eliminate prep time.
- Store: To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
How to Serve?
As the main dish: Whether you serve it warm, at room temperature, or cold, this dish is a delicious lunch or dinner that is perfect when you are in need of a light meal with lots of flavors.
As a tasty side: This recipe also makes a delicious side dish alongside dozens of meat dishes with a similar flavor profile. Serve your vegetable noodles with Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry or Crock Pot Butter Chicken for a bold and saucy pair. Or, try my Cauliflower Curry or Thai Lemongrass Chicken for meals as vibrant as they are easy.
FAQs
Most grocery stores sell sweet potato noodles in their refrigerated section, often near other frozen pasta.
Yes! Sweet potato noodles contain high amounts of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, making them a popular choice among health-conscious eaters.
They consist of peeled sweet potatoes cut into shape using a spiralizer. However, the Korean version of this dish—japchae noodles—is made from sweet potato starch and water.
Yes, sweet potato noodles contain carbs. Generally, 1 cup of sweet potato noodles has 23 g. of carbs.
Though incredibly mild, sweet potato noodles have a hint of the sweet, nutty flavor typical among sweet potatoes. They also have a tender, slightly chewy texture that tastes heavenly in pasta dishes.
Other Sweet Potato Recipes You Might Also Like
Want even more sweet potatoes on your table? The following recipes are some of the best ways to incorporate this festive (and healthy!) vegetable into your cooking.
If you try this recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.
Sweet Potato Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened and smooth peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons tamari*
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons vegetable stock more as needed
For the Noodles:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 red or yellow bell pepper seeded and sliced thinly
- 2 medium-size sweet potatoes peeled and spiralized (as seen in the photos) – You should have 5-6 cups of “noodles”
- ¼ cup vegetable stock
- ½ cup edamame
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
As Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1-2 stalks green onions both white and green parts chopped
- 2 tablespoons lightly salted peanuts coarsely chopped
Instructions
- To make the dressing: Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you are ready to use it.
- To cook the sweet potato noodles: Heat olive oil in a large skillet in medium heat. Add in the onion and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 5-7 minutes.
- Add in the sweet potato noodles and vegetable stock and cook, stirring frequently, for 6-7 minutes.
- Pour the dressing over the noodles and give it a large stir, making sure that the noodles are coated with the dressing. Cook 2-3 minutes until it is warm.
- Off the heat, stir in the edamame and chopped cilantro.
- To serve, divide the noodles in 4 bowls and garnish each one with sesame seeds, green onions, and peanuts.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- If you are not gluten-sensitive, you can use soy sauce instead of tamari, but make sure to taste the dressing before adding more salt to it.
- To Make ahead: To make this dish ahead of time, spiralize your sweet potatoes up to 3-4 days in advance. Just be sure to remove air from the noodles’ container during storage. I recommend storing them in an airtight jar or a Ziploc bag with as much air removed as possible. You can also prepare the dressing up to two days in advance, storing it in an airtight container. Finally, you may also chop your vegetables on the day you plan to serve your noodles dish to eliminate prep time.
- Store: To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
Brigid
My boyfriend and I LOVED this recipe! The flavors were bold and what you’d expect for an Asian-style dish. We added dried Thai chili flakes for a kick which I would have missed if we didn’t so if you like spice, I’d add some to the sauce. We will definitely be making again! Thanks Ice!
Aysegul Sanford
This is music to my ears Brigit. Thanks for coming and letting me know about your experience.
Nicole
This was so delicious! Will definitely make this again! Thank you for a wonderful recipe.
Aysegul Sanford
I am thrilled to hear that Nicole. Thanks for coming by.