Crispy on the outside while tender on the inside, these air fryer yuca chips make for an irresistibly delicious snack or side. Yuca, also known as cassava or manioc, is a starchy root vegetable that bakes up light and crunchy. When paired with warm spices like oregano, parsley, paprika, garlic powder and a touch of salt, the flavors really pop.
Air frying is the perfect cooking method for getting the yuca chips crispy without the need for deep frying. It also intensifies their inherently sweet and nutty taste. Whether enjoying the yuca chips on their own or pairing them with dips, they make for the ultimate crowd-pleasing game day appetizer.
Read on for the full step-by-step recipe detailing how to prepare perfectly seasoned and crisped air fryer yuca chips in just minutes. It’s an easy recipe that yields the best baked yuca chips you’ve ever tasted!
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect Texture – crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The hot air circulates around each fry, ensuring even cooking and crispiness without the need for submerging in unhealthy oils.
Amazing Taste- The smoky paprika and herbs give these fries incredible depth of flavor. One bite will have your tastebuds singing! Yet with under 200 calories for the whole recipe, you won’t feel guilty going back for seconds.
Great Recipe– Impress your friend with these restaurant-worthy fries at your next gathering. The exotic yuca will have everyone begging for the recipe.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
For this air fryer yuca chips recipe you will need:
- 1 pound (450g) Yuca Peeled
- 1 cup Water
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 3/4 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this air fryer yuca fries recipe to make the perfect crispy air fryer yuca fries:
Step 1
Add the cup of water to a large bowl. Then, peel and cut the yuca into batons. Soak them in the water and set them aside for now.
Step 2
Place a pot with 2 cups of water over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil. Drain the yuca fries, and boil for 5-6 minutes. Transfer them to another bowl.
Step 3
Add olive oil, pepper, salt, and other seasonings to the yuca fries. Mix everything well.
Step 4
Preheat the air fryer to 380F (190C). Once hot, add the yuca fries in a single layer. Air fry for 13-15 minutes.
Step 5
Remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for at least 10 minutes. Then, serve and enjoy these amazing air fryer yuca fries!
💡Tips
1. Don’t Overcrowd the Basket
When making air fried yucca it’s important not to overload the basket. Arranging the yuca fries in a single layer, leaving a little space around each piece, allows for optimal air circulation and even cooking. Overcrowding causes them to steam and inhibits browning. Work in batches if needed to avoid overfilling.
2. Turn Halfway Through Cooking
To get golden brown color and crispy edges all over, gently turn and rearrange the yuca halfway during cooking. The fries tucked under others or pressed along the edges won’t brown as readily. Turning ensures every surface gets evenly exposed to the hot air circulating around them.
3. Season Just Before Serving
While lightly oiling and seasoning the yuca before air frying adds great flavor, hold off on any final seasoning until after cooking when the fries have crisped up.
Sprinkling over a little more smoked paprika, salt, or other spices just before serving adds an extra flavor punch! The seasonings will stick best to the crispy, air fried exterior.
4. Cut Evenly for Even Cooking
Cutting the yuca into evenly sized batons before soaking and boiling helps ensure they cook at the same rate. Try to keep the fries a 1/2 inch thick. If some pieces are much thicker than others, the thinner ones risk overcooking while the thick pieces remain underdone in the middle.
5. Choose the Right Yuca
When selecting yuca root for this air fryer yuca fries recipe, make sure to pick ones that are firm with smooth, brown skin. Soft or wrinkled yuca will be difficult to cut and won’t crisp up properly. For the best texture and taste, use fresh yuca within 2-3 days of purchasing.
Variations
1. Cuban Style Yucca Fries- These crispy cubes of yucca are the perfect side for a classic Cuban sandwich or rice and beans. Simply cut the yucca into cubes instead of fries before boiling. After draining, toss them in olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cilantro, and lime juice. Air fry until perfectly golden brown.
2. Baked Sweet Potato Yucca Fries– For a fun twist, try baking yucca fries alongside sweet potato fries. Simply cut sweet potatoes and yucca into fry shapes, toss with oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne.
Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and air fry 15-20 minutes at 400°F until tender inside and crispy outside. Offers a tasty mixture of textures and flavors!
3. Panko Breaded Yucca Fries– These Japanese-inspired yucca fries offer ultra crispy, crunchy exteriors. After boiling and draining the yucca fries, dredge them in flour, followed by beaten eggs, finishing with seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Mist with oil and air fry 15 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway. Crispy outside, fluffy inside!
4. Yucca Fries with Spicy Aioli– Elevate your yucca fries by serving them alongside a zesty homemade spicy aioli! Simply mix 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, and cayenne pepper to taste. Use as a dip for the hot crispy fries!
Dipping Sauces
1. Spicy Mayo – Tangy, creamy, and ever-so-slightly spicy, this quick blender mayonnaise punctuated with sriracha is a robust counterpart to the mild yuca. The cool creaminess calms the heat of the sriracha for a dip that dances on your tongue.
2. Chimichurri – This vibrant green Argentinian sauce bursts with bright herbaceous notes from parsley, oregano, garlic and vinegar. Its grassy flavor and texture clings beautifully to the crispy exterior of the fries. The lemon brightens while the olive oil richness coats each fry.
3. Ranch – Cool and tangy ranch is a familiar friend to fried foods. Its creamy dairy base tempers the bold herbs and garlic within. Each fry gets blanketed in that nostalgic ranch flavor we know and love. A classic pairing!
4. Peanut Sauce – Bring on the nutty, toasty warmth of peanut sauce! The rich, savory umami quality of this sauce highlights the natural sweetness of the yuca itself. The splash of lime provides fresh contrast to the cozy flavors.
5. Guacamole – Avocado and fried foods simply belong together! The buttery smooth nature of guacamole matches perfectly with hot crispy fries for a temperature contrast that excites the tastebuds. Tangy lime, herbs and onions perk up the rich avocado in a fresh, addictive combination.
Storage
These air fried yuca fries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place desired amount in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven for 4-5 minutes until hot and crispy again. They can also be reheated in the air fryer at 380°F for 2-3 minutes.
Main Dishes Ideas
1. Air Fryer Turkey Steaks– would make a superb combination with the yucca fries. The yucca, with its starchy and slightly sweet flavor, balances beautifully with the savory and herbaceous notes of the turkey. As you dip the fries into the turkey juices, the textures and flavors meld divinely.
2. Air Fryer Tuna Steaks- charred to perfection grant the ideal complement to the yucca. As the tuna practically melts in your mouth with its rich, meaty flavor, the fries provide a pleasant starchy crunch. Each bite makes you feel like you’re dining seaside in the Caribbean.
3. Air Fryer Ribeye Steak – while also indulging in the crispy yucca is a match made in heaven. The bold, beefy flavors of the steak contrast sublimely with the subtle sweet potato-like notes from the fries. It’s a hearty and completely satisfying combo.
4. New York Strip Steaks- searing them to juicy medium rare perfection. Paired with the yucca fries, it makes for a divine duo, as the crispy fries soak up the incredible steak juices. Every single bite is pure bliss.
5. Greek chicken – The crispy exterior and tender meat of the chicken offer a pleasant textural contrast to the starchy fries. It’s a combo that nourishes both body and soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I really need to boil the yuca first?
Yes, boiling is an essential first step when making yuca fries. The boiling process helps soften the yuca so that it cooks properly and becomes tender inside. Skipping this step would likely result in hard, crunchy raw centers.
2. Why Soak Yuca in Water Before Cooking?
Soaking yuca in water helps to remove some of the natural toxins (like glycosides) present in raw yuca. It also softens the yuca, making it easier to cook and resulting in a better texture for the fries.
3. What dipping sauces go well with yuca fries?
Yuca fries are delicious paired with all kinds of dips and sauces! Some tasty options include garlic aioli, chimichurri sauce, ketchup, vegan ranch, chipotle mayo, honey mustard, or guacamole. Get creative with your favorite dips.
I hope you enjoy these crispy and flavorful air fryer yuca fries! Yuca is such a versatile root vegetable that takes well to frying. Let me know if you try this yuca fries air fryer recipe, and feel free to experiment with different seasonings.
Be sure to check out the rest of the recipes on my website for more tasty air fryer ideas. I’m always adding new content, so come back often. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below. Happy cooking!
Air Fryer Yuca Fries
- 1 pound Yuca Peeled (450g)
- 1 cup Water
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 3/4 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Add the cup of water to a large bowl. Then, peel and cut the yuca into small batons. Soak them in the water and set them aside for now.
- Place a pot with 2 cups of water over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil. Drain the yuca fries, and boil for about 5-6 minutes. Transfer them to another bowl.
- Add olive oil, pepper, salt, and other seasonings to the yuca fries. Mix everything well.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380F (190C). Once it's hot, add the yuca fries in a single layer (dont overcrowd the air fryer) Air fry for 13-15 minutes.
- Remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for at least 10 minutes. Then, serve.
