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There’s something comforting and familiar about a stir fry. They’re a great way to use veggies and get them into the kids, and they’re fast. These kid friendly stir fry noodles are awesome. The recipe is a brilliant base far adding in some chicken, shrimp, steak, anything you like really and it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Kid Friendly Stir Fry Noodles
Have you ever eaten in a Wagamama restaurant? As far as eating out goes, Wagamama is one of the better restaurants for eating Clean. That’s not to say it’s all good but I can usually find something there that’s pretty Clean. These noodles are my homemade version of a dish they serve that’s my kids absolute favorite. It’s most definitely not an exact copy (despite my best efforts!) but it’s now a firm family favorite. I’m sure you’re gonna love it!
Noodles were something my kids used to really enjoy. I’d buy the ‘instant’ ones that you add boiling water to and are flavored when you buy them from the store. I have to admit they were an easy dinner and I wasn’t to concerned about the kids eating them. In fact you’d usually find quite a few packets in my pantry if you’d have opened it. But not any more :)
These are probably one of the most kid friendly noodles I’ve ever made. While we usually have these as they are with no added chicken, steak or shrimp and so they’re a vegetarian option, but if I’ve got leftovers from a roast or something I’ll throw them in.
Which Noodles Are Best For Kids?
Noodles come 3 ways.
Pre-cooked – long life noodles that you put straight from the vacuum pack into the pan. I used to buy these a lot, the vacumm packed ones. They’re super easy and make for a quick dinner. However, once we started eating Clean I discovered these are near impossible to buy as the wholewheat version (if they even make them!).
I’ve never found them, you may have more luck where you live.
Fresh noodles – These are found in the same section as the fresh pasta and while they’re lovely, it’s still really hard to find the wholewheat versions.
Dried noodles – These are my go to as they’re available locally in their wholewheat versions. I often buy Soba noodles, they’re made with buckwheat flour and so they have a slightly earthy flavor, but it’s not strong enough for any of my kids to have noticed!
You cook soba noodles by boiling them and they take the same amount of time so it comes down to personal preference. You can also get wholewheat regular noodles so feel free to use whichever ones you fancy and work for your family.
Most kids love noodles in any form and so making the switch to a wholemeal variety isn’t to much of a big deal for most kids!
Additions
I’ve used red pepper, carrots and onions. The onions add a sweetness along with the peppers and carrots but you can add whatever vegetables you like. I’d recommend cutting them into thin strips and slow cooking them to make sure they’re soft.
I also wouldn’t recommend using veg with a very string flavor or veg that don’t soften a lot. Some other vegetables you can add might be:
- Green beans
- Other colored peppers
- Butternut squash ribbons
- Pak choi
- Cabbage ribbons
- Greens
Adding a protein into this stir fry is also a good way to use up leftover meat you have in the fridge, or some shrimp in the freezer. All meats will work well with this recipe, just make sure they’re pre cooked before you add them to the pan.
If you have raw meat, cook it throughly before you begin this as it’s not in the pan long enough to cook it through if you add it raw at the end.
Pack This Up For Lunch
Many times I’ve packed this up for lunch the next day. The stir fry stays delicious for up to 2 days after you’ve made this. You can eat this hot or cold, it’s surprisingly yummy cold!
If you want to reheat this before you tuck in, pop it into the microwave for 2 minutes before eating it to make sure it’s piping hot throughout.
More Noodle Recipes
- 15 Minute Thai chicken and veggie noodles
- Sticky noodles
- Thai pork noodles for kids
- Noodle soup
- Weeknight soba noodles
How To Make Kid Friendly Stir Fry Noodles
Ingredients
- Cooked Noodles Enough for 4 kids
- Chicken, steak or shrimp Chopped into thin strips and pre cooked, optional
- 2 Large Carrots Peeled and julienned
- 1 Onion Peeled and finely sliced
- 2 Red peppers Washed and finely sliced
- 4 tbsp Soy sauce Light
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- ½ tsp Crushed garlic Optional
- ½ -1 tsp Crushed fresh ginger
- ¼ tsp Chopped red chilli Optional
- Crumbled Feta cheese to serve Optional
Instructions
- Cook your noodles and have them ready to go. Put to one side until later
- In a large frying pan heat your oil over a medium heat
- Add the ginger, chilli (if you’re using it) and garlic and fry gently for a couple of minutes
- Put the onions, peppers and carrots into the pan with the ginger, chilli and garlic and turn the heat to low. Fry until the vegetables are soft and cooked through
- Add the noodles to the pan and combine well. If you’re adding protein (pre cooked chicken, shrimp, steak) add this to the pan now
- Pour the soy sauce on the stir fry and make sure all the stir fry is combines with it
- Turn the heat back up slightly and cook for another 5 minutes or so until the soy sauce has reduced. Stir a couple of times whilst the soy is reducing
- Serve with broken Cashew nuts to serve
Kid Friendly Stir Fry Noodles Recipe
Kid Friendly Stir Fry Noodles
Ingredients
- Cooked Noodles Enough for 4 kids
- Chicken, steak or shrimp Chopped into thin strips and pre cooked, optional
- 2 Large Carrots Peeled and julienned
- 1 Onion Peeled and finely sliced
- 2 Red peppers Washed and finely sliced
- 4 tbsp Soy sauce Light
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- ½ tsp Crushed garlic Optional
- ½ -1 tsp Crushed fresh ginger
- ¼ tsp Chopped red chilli Optional
- Broken Cashew nuts to serve Optional
Instructions
- Cook your noodles and have them ready to go. Put to one side until later
- In a large frying pan heat your oil over a medium heat
- Add the ginger, chilli (if you're using it) and garlic and fry gently for a couple of minutes
- Put the onions, peppers and carrots into the pan with the ginger, chilli and garlic and turn the heat to low. Fry until the vegetables are soft and cooked through
- Add the noodles to the pan and combine well. If you're adding protein (pre cooked chicken, shrimp, steak) add this to the pan now
- Pour the soy sauce on the stir fry and make sure all the stir fry is combines with it
- Turn the heat back up slightly and cook for another 5 minutes or so until the soy sauce has reduced. Stir a couple of times whilst the soy is reducing
- Serve with broken Cashew nuts to serve