These Yuca Fries are ultra crispy on the outside with a deliciously soft and creamy center! Better than French fries, these Yuca Fries turn out perfect every time!
Dip in Avocado Hot Sauce (sauce in the pic), Creamy Cilantro Sauce or Colombian Garlic Sauce for the best snack ever! Baking and Air-Frying option included.
Yuca Fries (Yuca Frita)
Yuca Fries are one of the best ways to make yuca, we love these with a big batch of creamy Avocado Hot Sauce because it’s creamy, bright, and spicy!
But you can enjoy these with so many different dips, we also like Creamy Cilantro Sauce, Colombian Garlic Sauce or even classic fry sauce or plain Guacamole!
And if you’re wondering how do Yuca Fries taste, Yuca Fries are mild, slightly nutty, with a hint of sweetness that makes them taste lighter than potatoes!
These Yuca Fries are:
- Ultra crispy on the outside!
- Soft and creamy on the inside.
- Easy to make!
- Perfect as an appetizer, side or snack.
- Naturally gluten free, dairy free and vegan.
- Delicious fried, baked or air-fried (all options included)
Ingredients for Yuca Fries
Yuca (cassava, manioc). Here’s how to buy a good yuca: go for heavy and firm, if it feels a bit tender it’s starting to rot, make sure the peel doesn’t have cracks, dark lines or mold, and look for a white or cream flesh if the ends are cut and visible.
If you get very old yuca, it’s gonna take longer to cook and it might not turn as soft as fresh yuca. Sometimes, in the US, frozen yuca is higher quality then fresh so get the frozen one if you prefer.
Salt, for cooking.
Oil, for frying. Go for sunflower, vegetable, canola, peanut. You can also fry it in lard for more flavor hehe but that makes it not vegan or vegetarian!
Optional: spices. We like our yuca fries plain because we go all in with the dips but you can add paprika, garlic, cayenne, chili, pepper.
How to make Yuca Fries
STEP ONE: Prepare the Yuca. Peel the yuca like you would a sweet potato, cut lengthwise to remove the woody core then cut into thick sticks.
STEP TWO: Cook. Fill a large pot with water, salt and add the cut yuca. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then boil for about 15-20 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain and let dry for 5-10 minutes before frying.
STEP THREE: Fry. Heat about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of oil in a medium skillet or saucepan. Once the oil is hot (about 350 F or 175 C), add the yuca in batches making sure it’s sitting in a single layer and not touching or it’ll stick.
Fry for about 3-4 minutes per side or until golden and crispy. Place on a clean plate lined with paper towels to remove any extra oil.
STEP FOUR: Serve. Season with salt and spices (if desired) when still hot and enjoy!
Variations
Baked Yuca Fries: After Step 2, toss the yuca with 2-3 tablespoon of oil, salt and spices (if using). Add to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper making sure the yuca is sitting in a single layer without touching then bake at 425 F (210 C) for 30-35 minutes flipping halfway.
Air Fryer Yuca Fries: After Step 2, toss the yuca with 2-3 tablespoon of oil, salt, and spices (if using). Air-fry at 350 F (180 C) for 20-25 minutes shaking once halfwaythrough.
Storing Instructions
Yuca Fries are best eaten as they’re made but if you want to have them as a quick snack or dinner, I recommend keeping some frozen cooked yuca in the freezer so you can fry a batch any time. Simply freeze after step 2 once the yuca cools down.
When cooking from frozen add fry, bake, or air-fry for a few extra minutes!
Reheating Instructions
How to Reheat Yuca Fries in Air Fryer: Lightly brush or spray with oil. Reheat at 375 F (190 C) for 5-7 minutes, shaking once halfway through. This is the best way to reheat Yuca Fries because it crisps them up but leaves the center soft and creamy!
How to Reheat Yuca Fries in Oven: Lightly brush or spray with oil. Reheat at 400 F (200 C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping once. This is best if you have lots of fries to reheat but it does dry them up more than the air-fryer!
What to serve with Yuca Fries
- Loaded with cheese, bacon and onion.
- Alongside steak, ribs, wings.
- Hot Dogs (try our Colombian Hot Dogs!!!)
- Fried fish (we love them with Pescado Frito).
- Hamburgers.
- Beans and rice.
- Chicken tenders or nuggets for kids.
- As a side for BBQs.
- In a Picada Colombiana.
Dips: Avocado Hot Sauce, Colombian Green Sauce (Cilantro Garlic), Colombian Garlic Sauce, Guacamole, honey mustard, Colombian Suero, sour cream, ranch, classic fry sauce, pink sauce.
Other Recommended Latin American Recipes
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag us @itsdamnspicy on Instagram and use the hashtag #itsdamnspicy so I can see your creations and re-share them with my followers! ⭐️
Yuca Fries
Ingredients
For The Yuca Fries
- 2 lb (900 g) yuca (cassava, manioc)
- Water
- Salt
- Oil (vegetable, sunflower, peanut, or canola, for frying – go to the "Notes" of this recipe card for baking and air-frying instructions)
- Spices like garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, chili, etc. (optional, we like our yuca fries plain with just salt and the dip)
For Dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the Yuca. Peel the yuca like you would a sweet potato, cut lengthwise to remove the woody core then cut into thick sticks.
- Cook. Fill a large pot with water, salt and add the cut yuca. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then boil for about 15-20 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain and let dry for 5-10 minutes before frying.
- Fry. Heat about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of oil in a medium skillet or saucepan. Once the oil is hot (about 350 F or 175 C), add the yuca in batches making sure it's sitting in a single layer and not touching or it'll stick. Fry for about 3-4 minutes per side or until golden and crispy. Place on a clean plate lined with paper towels to remove any extra oil.
- Serve. Season with salt and spices (if desired) when still hot and enjoy!
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