Air Fryer Yuca Fries

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Yuca (aka cassava) fries are a great Caribbean alternative to French fries. These fries are hassle free thanks to the use of frozen yuca meaning no peeling is required. Make them in your air fryer rather than fry them for a super healthy twist and toss them in some homemade cajun seasoning.

close up of the fries with vegan mayo dip

I love fries but what I love even more is when you can make your favourite food super healthy.

If you are like me and are always looking for a healthier way of doing things then these yuca fries are what you need in your life.

They are so easy to make, healthy and versatile in terms of what herbs and spices you may want to use.

Today I'm going to keep things simple and season these yuca fries with my homemade cajun seasoning, parsley and some pink salt to taste.

This seasoning is a staple in our household as we use it for so many recipes with this being one of them.

Another big plus with this recipe is that it's made from FROZEN yuca so the peeling process has already been done for you.

I hate peeling yuca, the skin is so thick and not easy to remove so pre-peeled yuca is a huge bonus in terms of convinience and ease.

If you don't care for peeling yuca like I don't then definitely follow on with this recipe as it is the easiest method by far to make yuca fries.

Reasons to make these fries

Grain and gluten free
Naturally vegan (meaning you don't have to substitute anything)
Suitable for air frying
Healthier than deep fat frying
Suitable for most dietary requirements
A great way to incoporate complex carbohydrates to your lifestyle
Hassle free and no peeling required

Are yuca and cassava the same thing?

Yes, yuca and cassava are the exact same thing, some countries even refer to it as "mogo" too (almost forgot about that one) .

However, staying on topic, generally, you will find the Spanish speaking islands such as Puerto Rico, Cuba and so fourth calling it yuca.

English speaking countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados etc... will simply say cassava.

That's where things can get mixed up sometimes, knowing what to refer to it as. For the benefit of this recipe post, we are going with the term "yuca".

The steps

Step 1-6 boiling the yuca, chopping it and making the wet rub

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil.
Carefully add the frozen chunks of yuca to the pan.
Boil for several minutes until the yuca is slightly fork tender (you don't want the yuca to be too soft).
Drain off the water using a colander and allow to cool.
Cut the yuca chunks into thinner fries or the shape that you desire.
Preheat the air fryer to 190C/380F.

Step 7-12 making the wet rub, coating the yuca and air frying it

Meanwhile, add the olive oil, cajun seasoning and parsley to a small bowl.
Add the yuca to a medium sized bowl.
Drizzle the oil mixture over the bowl of yuca fries and use your hands to completely coat the fries.
Lay the fries out on the air fryer basket (you may need to do this in batches).
Air fry the fries for roughly 15 minutes (tossing the basket, frequently to ensure the fries are evenly golden.
Once the fries are crispy, re-sprinkle with some more cajun seasoning for an extra kick and pink salt and eat while warm.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use fresh yuca instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh yuca instead for whatever reason. Although the whole concept is to make the recipe more user friendly by using frozen yuca.

Where can you buy yuca from?

Latino/African/Caribbean grocery stores or supermarkets sell it.

Depending on where you live, you may need to venture off into the aforementioned neighboorhood in order to get hold of it.

What do yuca fries taste like?

Very similar to potatoes because they are very much starch enriched like their counterpart.

Notes and tips

When coating the fries it is best to use your hands to apply the wet rub.
Do not over cook the yuca (when boiling) as it will be too soft to work with.
Reheat any leftover fries in the air fryer using the "warm setting".
The amount of time the fries take to cook may vary depending on what brand of air fryer you have.
For an easier clean up, use a liner in the air fryer basket.
Do not freeze the yuca after frying them.
For best results, eat the fries immediately.
Store any leftover fries in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Don't skip boiling the yuca first as this will ensure the entire vegetable is cooked through and not just the surface.

Dipping sauces you can use

More air fryer fries to try

More recipes with cassava/yuca to try

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