Air Fryer Yuca Fries

Air fryer yuca fries are a great alternative to french fries. Yuca fries are crispy, creamy, and perfectly seasoned. Enjoy these yuca chips as a snack or side dish with your favorite dipping sauce.

I remember eating boiled/steamed yuca when I was a kid. Honestly, I hated them the most and used to avoid eating them. But now there are various ways of making yuca and yuca fries are one of them. It’s super easy to make and the yuca fries are packed with flavor.

I especially enjoy eating yuca and sweet potato fries in the winter because you can get fresh ones. However, you can get frozen ones in the market throughout the year.

What is yuca?

Okay, let’s talk about yuca. The cassava plant’s root is called yuca. The yuca roots have a similar shape and size to the sweet potato. However, yuca has a rough bark-line skin.

The yuca root has a starchy flesh that is white or cream in color with a rough texture. It tastes a little nutty and slightly sweet.

Yuca is a good source of carbohydrates, calcium, fiber, and potassium.

Are yuca and yucca the same thing?

Generally, most of us get mixed up with yuca and yucca that’s ok but they have nothing similar.

Yuca vs Yucca

Yuca is the root of the cassava plant. It is a root vegetable native to South America.

Yucca is an ornamental plant. It bears edible seeds, flowers, and fruits. The roots of yucca are not edible.

Why make air fryer yuca fries?

Here are the reasons to make yuca fries:

• Super easy to make and gets ready in less than 30 minutes.
• Gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, and naturally vegan.
• Healthier than the deep-fried version.
• Great way to feed a picky eater.
• A good alternative to potato fries

How to make yuca fries in an air fryer?

Making yuca fries is super easy and gets ready in no time. I’ve explained the step-by-step process for making yuca fries.

Ingredients for air fryer yuca fries:

• 300 gm yuca (fresh)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 4-5 cup water to boil yuca

Instructions for air fryer yuca fries:

1. Cut off both ends of the yuca root and peel the outer skin. Be careful if you are making fresh yuca the flesh is a bit slippery. Cut the flesh 3-4 inches thick into a fries shape.
2. Take a large saucepan to add 4-5 cups of salted water and bring it to a boil. Then add the yuca and boil for 10-12 minutes or until fork tender.
3. 
4. Drain the yuca and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
5. Now take a large mixing bowl to add boiled yuca and toss them with the oil.
6. 
7. After that add the dry seasonings and mix them until well combined.
8. 
9. Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F for 3 minutes.
10. Place the seasoned yuca in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook them at 200C/400F for 15 minutes. Toss them halfway through the cooking process for an evenly cooked result.
11. 
12. Remove the yuca fries from the air fryer basket and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

You can find the air fryer yuca fries recipe in the printable card below:

How to cook frozen yuca in air fryer?

You can always use pre-cut frozen yuca instead of fresh ones because this can save a lot of time. And you can easily find these at grocery stores.

To cook frozen yuca in an air fryer, boil them until they are fork tender and strain them and pat dry with a kitchen towel or paper towel. The rest of the process is the same as the fresh air fryer yuca fries mentioned above in the blog.

Variations

Seasonings: I’ve simply used a minimum seasoning for the air fryer yuca chips. However, you can add spices depending on your liking. Add Italian seasoning, seasoning salt, dry ranch seasoning, etc.

Heat: Yuca has a naturally sweet and nutty flavor so you can add a little hint of heat to modify the flavor. You can add paprika, chili powder, cayenne, chili flakes, etc.

How to serve yuca chips?

Yuca fries are best when served with your favorite sauce as a snack. However, yuca fries can also be served as a side dish for burgers, shrimp tacos, sandwiches, and many more.

Recipe Tips

• You can use fresh or frozen yuca for the recipe.
• If you’re using fresh yuca, cut them in similar sizes for an evenly cooked result.
• Always boil the yuca until fork tender before air frying it. If you’ll cook them raw the outer surface of the yuca will cook much quicker than the middle part. However, don’t overboil them because they’ll be soft and it’s hard to work with.
• Always boil yuca in salt water because this will add flavor.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, try to put seasoned yuca in a single layer for the best result. And toss them halfway through the cooking process.
• Use frozen yuca to save your time and skip the peeling and cutting process.

Reheating and Storage

Air fryer yuca chips are best when eaten fresh. If you have some leftovers put them in an air-tight container and store them in the refrigerator. They are good for 2 days.

Reheating:
Put the leftover yuca chips in the air fryer basket and reheat them at 200C/400F for 2-3 minutes or until they are warm through.

Here are some of the frequently asked questions:

What do yuca fries taste like?

Yuca fries taste like potatoes but it has a lighter flavor and chewier texture. It has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor.

Is yuca skin edible?

No, the skin is inedible and should be removed before cooking.

Is air fryer yuca fries healthy for you?

Yes, yuca fries are healthy for you. It is a good source of dietary fiber and is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, and Magnesium.

Compared to potato chips yuca fries are way healthier, so it’s good to add these yuca fries to your diet.

Are yuca fries healthier than French fries?

Yes, yuca fries are healthier than french fries because it’s a good source of dietary fiber, and are high in vitamins A, C, Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium. Though it contains high carbs, it has a lower glycemic index.

If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below.

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