Crispy Yuca Fries Recipe

Watch How to Make This Yuca Fries Recipe

What Are Yuca Fries?

If you like potato fries, you’ll absolutely love these Yuca Fries. Yuca Fries are similar to potato fries, but with a lighter flavor and slightly chewier texture. They make for a great, healthy alternative to potato fries!

Yuca vs. Yucca

Yuca is the cassava plant’s root and packs many antioxidants with a slightly sweet, somewhat nutty flavor. Yucca, however, is a type of plant that belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It is an ornamental plant that is often grown for its attractive foliage and flowers. When it comes to food, Yuca is a root that can be eaten and prepared in many ways, from boiling to baking and frying!

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Ingredients for Yuca Fries and Cilantro Sauce

What’s the perfect pair for a crispy fry? A tasty sauce! This combo makes the perfect pair for a delicious side dish or afternoon snack. This recipe calls for a few basic ingredients you may already have in your kitchen!

Yuca French Fries

Yuca – The start of the show, the oh-so-tasty yuca root. If you’re having a hard time finding it at your local grocery store, I’ve found that Walmart and Whole Foods often carry fresh yuca!

Avocado Oil – I like avocado oil for this recipe, but any type of cooking oil works great.

Salt/Paprika/Garlic Powder – Just the right amount of seasoning to add a savory flavor.

Cilantro Sauce

Cilantro – Use fresh cilantro so the flavor is stronger. It’s worth it and SO good!

Light Mayo – Light mayo or a healthy, avocado oil-based mayo work great in this recipe.

Lime Juice – The tanginess of the lime pairs so well with the seasoning on the fries!

Minced Garlic/Salt – Minced garlic works best for flavor, but if you’re out, garlic powder will do.

How To Make Yuca Fries and Cilantro Sauce

What’s a yuca fry without its’ dipping sauce? This recipe calls for two important parts that go together like, well, yuca fries and cilantro sauce.

Making Yuca Fries

This recipe is easy, and you’ll want to pay attention to each step because each one has an important role in making these fries crispy on the outside and smooth on the inside. It only takes 15 minutes of prep time (and about 40 minutes of hands-off cooking time) for these tasty fries! Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
2. Preheat the oven to 425 Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
3. Cut off the ends of the yuca root, then use a vegetable peeler to peel off the skin. It should come off fairly quickly, but you may need to make two passes over each area to ensure the skin is entirely removed.
4. If the yuca is on the long side, cut it in half, then cut it into fry or wedge shapes.
5. Boil for 10 minutes. You want them just fork-tender but not too soft.
6. Drain and pat dry.
7. Add to a bowl and toss with the oil, then the salt and spices.
8. Arrange on the baking tray in a single layer and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

How To Make Cilantro Sauce

If there was ever a perfect dipping sauce for yuca fries, this tangy cilantro sauce is it! Here’s what you’ll need to do to make the sauce:

1. Add all sauce ingredients to a small blender and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust flavors as desired.
2. When the fries are done, serve with the cilantro lime sauce and enjoy!

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How to Store Leftovers

As with all fries, cassava fries are best served fresh. But if you do have leftovers, put them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. To reheat, I like to put them in the air fryer for 10 minutes!

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Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons!