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Spicy Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

These vibrant spicy summer rolls are the ultimate refreshing vegan dish, perfect for warm afternoons or as a sophisticated starter for a dinner party. Packed with crunchy napa cabbage, zesty marinated carrots, and a generous handful of fresh mint and basil, every bite offers a burst of garden-fresh flavour. The heat from the finely chopped chillies is beautifully balanced by the cooling herbs and the chewy texture of the rice-stick noodles, making them a wonderful light alternative to traditional fried spring rolls.

Served alongside a rich, velvety peanut dipping sauce, this recipe is as nutritious as it is delicious. The sauce combines salty soy and sweet hoisin with creamy peanut butter for a truly addictive finish. Homemade summer rolls are surprisingly simple to assemble and are naturally gluten-free if you check your sauce labels, providing a healthy, high-fibre snack or lunch option that feels like a treat.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Spicy Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

  • 160ml hoisin sauce (see Cooks' notes:)

  • 80ml creamy peanut butter

  • 80ml water

  • 45ml fresh lime juice

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 90g dried rice-stick noodles

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

  • 550g coarsely grated carrot (about 450g

  • use large holes on a box grater)

  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped serrano or jalapeño chillies, including seeds

  • 12 (8-inch) rice-paper rounds, plus more in case some tear

  • 4 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage, coarsely chopped

  • 1 cup finely chopped cocktail peanuts

  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves

  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves (Asian or Italian)

How to make Spicy Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

Whisk together sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Set aside.

Put noodles in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling-hot water. Soak noodles for 10 minutes then drain and pat dry. Toss noodles with 1 tablespoon lime juice. Cut noodles with kitchen shears or knife in 5 or 6 places.

Stir together sugar and remaining tablespoon lime juice in another bowl until sugar is dissolved, then toss with carrots and chillies.

Gently immerse 1 rice-paper round in a large bowl of hot tap water and let stand until soft and pliable, 15 to 20 seconds. Lift out, letting excess water drip off, then lay round on a work surface, smoothing it out. If round is still very wet, gently blot top with kitchen towel.

Arrange about 1/4 cup cabbage across centre of round, leaving about 1 1/2 inches uncovered on both sides. Top cabbage evenly with 45ml carrot mixture, then sprinkle with 1 generous tablespoon peanuts. Cover mound of vegetables with a layer each of mint and basil leaves. Top evenly with about 2 tablespoons noodles.

Fold edge of wrapper nearest you over filling, tucking in filling as tightly as possible, until it touches other side of wrapper, then fold in sides and continue to tightly roll until sealed.

Put roll on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a damp towel and cover with another damp towel. Make 11 more rolls in same manner, storing them on baking sheet without touching.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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