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    BLANK » Recipe Index » Caribbean Dishes

    Air Fryer Yuca Fries

    Last Updated October 27, 2022. Published October 27, 2022 By Charla 14 Comments

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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 fyer 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.

    fries with drink and dip

    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.
    fries on a plate with dip

    Dipping sauces you can use

    • Caribbean Curry Sauce
    • Mango Pineapple Hot Sauce
    • Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
    • Vegan Mayonnaise

    More air fryer fries to try

    • Breadfruit Fries
    • Zucchini Fries
    • Parsnip Fries

    More recipes with cassava/yuca to try

    • Yuca En Escabeche
    • Yuca Con Mojo
    • Vegan Empanadas
    • Cassava Pone
    • Cassava Balls
    • Cassava Dumpling
    • Bammy 

    **Don't forget to comment below and star rate if you have tried my recipes. Let's be friends and engage on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram I also like to pin on Pinterest, where you can find more amazing recipes.**

    yuca fries with dip and drink

    Air Fryer Yuca Fries

    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 fyer rather than fry them for a super healthy twist and toss them in some homemade cajun seasoning.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetiser
    Cuisine: Caribbean
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 3 people
    Calories: 318kcal
    Author: Charla

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb frozen yuca (455g)
    • ¼ cup olive oil (60ml)
    • 2½ tablespoon cajun seasoning (17.5g)
    • 1 tablespoon parsley (4g)
    • pink salt to taste

    Instructions

    • 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.
    • 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.

    Notes

    • 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3005IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ThatGirlCooksHealthy or tag #ThatGirlCooksHealthy!
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    About Charla

    I'm Charla. Caribbean foodie & Certified Health Coach. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. akua lum-reeser

      February 03, 2023 at 2:24 am

      I'm going to try it!d. have my frozen yuca ready. I am trying to find a fresh yuca recipe where you grate the yuca and add egg and salt and fry it. do you also boil the yuca before grating? it's not a pancake but more like a fritter. thanks, akua

      Reply
      • Charla

        February 03, 2023 at 10:52 am

        Hi Akua, even though I haven't tried making fritters with yuca I would most likely parboil the yuca before grating it. You will need to make sure the yuca isn't overcooked or it will be way too soft to grate. Keep a very close eye on when you are parboiling (part boiling) it. Good luck!

        Reply
    2. Stef

      November 15, 2022 at 4:57 pm

      I usually do my Cassava fries in the oven! I’m definitely going to have to try the air fryer. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Charla

        November 15, 2022 at 4:58 pm

        Hey Stef, you are most welcome 🙂

        Reply
    3. Toni

      October 28, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for this! I love yuca and been looking for ways to enjoy it!

      Reply
      • Charla

        October 28, 2022 at 3:44 pm

        You are so welcome Toni

        Reply
    4. Janessa

      October 28, 2022 at 1:29 pm

      5 stars
      These Yuca fries turned out so crispy in the air fryer- I can't wait to make them again!

      Reply
      • Charla

        October 28, 2022 at 3:44 pm

        Glad to hear it!

        Reply
    5. Amy

      October 28, 2022 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      I made these with my daughter last night and we loved them. A nice change from roasted potatoes. The Cajun seasoning was so tasty on them.

      Reply
      • Charla

        October 28, 2022 at 3:44 pm

        Yay! Another win, so happy to hear that!

        Reply
    6. Katherine

      October 28, 2022 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great, easy way to use Yuca! Thanks for the great recipe.

      Reply
      • Charla

        October 28, 2022 at 3:45 pm

        You are very welcome!

        Reply
    7. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

      October 28, 2022 at 8:47 am

      5 stars
      I would love to try this. These fries look so tasty and crispy and so easy too.

      Reply
      • Charla

        October 28, 2022 at 10:05 am

        Thank you so much

        Reply

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