Air Fryer Yuca Fries (Cassava)
Craving a crunchy, satisfying snack? Learn how to make Air Fryer Yuca Fries! Quick and easy, these cassava fries are a crispy, creamy, perfectly seasoned snack. Pair them with your preferred dip for a top-notch appetizer or side dish. Enjoy air fried yuca without deep frying!
👩🏻🍳Yes, you can cook yuca in the air fryer! Follow my step-by-step instructions to make these crispy, creamy, and perfectly seasoned cassava fries, a must-try for a healthier alternative to traditional fried yuca fries.
As a natural foods chef, I find joy in utilizing the wholesome goodness of root vegetables, and yuca holds a special place in cooking adventures. It’s creamy in the middle, crispy on the outside, and can be made in the air fryer to retain it’s nutrients.
Learn how to make yuca fries in air fryer! It’s quick, energy-efficient, and ensures the yuca turns out irresistibly crispy while using minimal oil. This means you retain the health benefits of yuca while enjoying its rich, savory taste and perfect texture. Plus, it’s hassle-free. After boiling the yuca root, just pop the yuca in your air fryer, let it do its magic with little clean up involved.
📝 Ingredients & Equipment
- Fresh Yuca Root – If you can’t find raw yuca root, it’s almost always available year-round at asian and latin grocery stores.
- Avocado Oil – to coat the surface of the fries and create a golden brown crisp. You can also use olive oil.
- Sea Salt – The larger granules give the fries pleasant texture. You can also use kosher salt.
- Spices – black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Simple and delicious.
- Water – to soak and boil the yuca.
Recommended Tools
- Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi – You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket. I use a Ninja Foodi. It’s an air fryer/pressure cooker all in one!
- Medium Size Bowl – to soak the uncooked yuka and prevent browning before boiling.
- Medium Size Pot – to boil the yuka fries.
- Tongs – to transfer fries.
🔪 How To Cut Yuca For Frying
Before cooking with yuca, the wax-coated outer skin needs to be peeled, and the flesh needs to be cut and boiled.
- Use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to shave off the waxy skin.
- Cut off the ends on both sides and then cut the down the center lengh-wise. Stand each half up and carefully slice down the length to peel away the skin.
- Carefully guide the knife around the grooves and bumps to remove the skin.
📖 How To Make Yuca Fries In Air Fryer
1️⃣ Cut yuca into fries: Using a very sharp knife, cut off both ends of the yuca root and remove the outer skin. Cut the flesh into 3-4 inch stick-shaped pieces. Place the pieces in a bowl of water as you cut them
2️⃣ Boil yuca root: Bring 6 cups of salted water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Then, add the prepared yuca and boil until the pieces are fork-tender. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of your fries.
3️⃣ Drain yuca & season: Drain the boiled yuca and pat dry with a paper towel. In a large bowl, toss the yuca with oil and the dry seasonings until fully coated.
4️⃣ Air fry yuca fries: Preheat your air fryer to 400° F. Then, carefully arrange the yuca in air fryer in a single layer in the air fryer basket and set the timer for 15 minutes.
5️⃣ Toss while cooking: Toss the yuca with tongs every few minutes to achieve a golden brown crisp on all sides.
6️⃣ Season to taste and serve: Once the outside is nice and crispy, using tongs, remove the fries from the air fryer and toss with more seasoning to taste. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
❄️How To Cook Frozen Yuca In Air Fryer
In addition to fresh yuca, it’s common to find pre-cut frozen yuca at international grocery stores. Pre-cut yuca is a huge time saver!
- To cook frozen yuca in the air fryer, boil the yuca until fork-tender.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and air fry the yuca for about 20-25 minutes. Ensure to shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and check the yuca for desired crispiness.
How long to cook frozen yuca in air fryer depends on the size and your individual air fryer. Add additional time if necessary.
👩🏻🍳 Chef’s Tips
- Feel free to cut the yuka into round chips shapes instead of fries. Use a mandolin for the perfect thickness, and keep an eye on the air fryer as they will cook quicker than fries.
- The purpose of soaking cut fries in water is to slow down oxidation and prevent browning.
- Boiling the yuka first is important! Otherwise, the surfaces of the fries will cook much quicker than the centers and burn.
- To acheive evenly cooked and crispy yuka fries, preheat the air fryer and be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket.
♨️ Baked Cassava Fries Option
No air fryer? No need to use the yuca fries air fryer method! Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and bake your seasoned cassava fries on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet for 30 to 35 minutes, tossing halfway through.
🔀 Variations
- Seasonings – Cassava root is naturally sweet and nutty, so I kept the dry seasonings simple with garlic powder and paprika. Try blackening seasoning, seasoning salt, or dry ranch seasoning to change things up.
- Parmesan & Herbs – Hot out of the air fryer, toss yuka in fresh herbs and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Dipping Sauce – Yuca fries taste amazing, dipped in cool, tangy, and creamy sauces like habanero ranch dressing -or keep things classic and serve with homemade ketchup.
- Chimichurri – Dip hot and crispy yuka in a cilantro chimichurri.
♻️ Storing & Freezing
Storing: Air fryer cassava fries are best eaten fresh. If you happen to have leftovers, you can keep them for 1 to 2 days in the fridge. Reheat them in the air fryer for 4 to 5 minutes at 375 degrees. Freezing is not recommended.
❔FAQ
Is yuca skin edible?
No, yuca skin is not edible; it is thick, tough, and should be removed before cooking. The skin contains harmful compounds that are eliminated once the skin is properly discarded and the yuca is cooked.
What’s the difference between yuca and yucca?
Yuca and yucca are different plants; yuca, also known as cassava, is a root vegetable, while yucca is an ornamental plant and not typically eaten. Yucca plants belong to the Agavaceae family, while yuca is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family.
Is yuca the same as cassava?
Yes, yuca and cassava refer to the same plant, a starchy tuberous root that is a major source of carbohydrates in many countries. The terms are used interchangeably, but “yuca” is more commonly used in Latin America, while “cassava” is more commonly used in Africa and Asia.
Are yuca fries healthier than french fries?
Yuca fries can be considered healthier than regular french fries as yuca has a lower glycemic index, more dietary fiber, and potentially more nutrients. However, the healthiness ultimately depends on the cooking method; frying in a lot of oil may negate these health benefits.
Can I make yuca fries without boiling first?
It’s not recommended to make yuca fries without boiling first as raw yuca contains naturally occurring cyanide compounds. Boiling yuca before frying ensures these compounds are neutralized, making the yuca safe to eat and also giving the fries a softer texture for better cooking results.
🍟More Air Fryer Fries Recipes
- How to Reheat Fries in Air Fryer
- Crinkle Cut Fries
- Rutabaga Fries
- Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
- Tater Tots (from frozen)
Air Fryer Yuca Fries (Cassava)
Equipment
- medium saucepot
- medium bowl
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 pound yuca root raw
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or any neutral tasting oil with a high smoking point
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Using a very sharp knife, cut off both ends of the yuca root and remove the outer skin. Cut the flesh into 3-4 inch stick-shaped pieces. Place the cut pieces in a bowl of water as you cut them.
- Bring 6 cups of salted water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Then, add the prepared yuca and boil until the pieces are fork tender. This should take about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of your fries.
- Drain the boiled yuca and pat it dry with a paper towel.
- In a large bowl, toss the yuca with oil and the dry seasonings until fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400° F.
- Carefully place the yuca fries in a single layer in the Ninja Foodi or air fryer basket and set the timer for 15 minutes.
- Toss the fries with tongs every few minutes to achieve a golden brown crisp on all sides.
- Once the outside is nice and crispy, using tongs, remove from the fries from the air fryer and toss with more seasoning to taste.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
I was looking for a recipe to use up some frozen yuca and this did the trick. Definitely making this instead of buying deep fried yuca from Peruvian rotisserie joints moving forward! So much healthier than deep fried without sacrificing the flavor!