Fried Yuca That Is Better Than French Fries

This fried yuca is super crispy on the outside but soft and almost creamy-like on the inside. If you love french fries you'll love fried yuca. Plus, it's incredibly easy to make, and takes hardly any time to cook!

 

The Best Yuca Frita

Yuca frita is a great alternative to your regular fries if you want something a little healthier, or are just looking to change it up.

Yuca, also known as cassava, is a versatile root vegetable that is super high in Vitamin C. It's kind of like potatoes and can be mashed, boiled, or in this case, fried.

The subtly sweet flavor and crispy yet soft texture are like something you can't get in any other food. These yuca fries are like thick, steak-cut french fries but with a subtly sweet flavor and the most amazing texture.

They're honestly delicious on their own but also go great dipped in this sweet chili sauce! And you can eat this yuca frita as an appetizer or snack! Or if you pair them with this huli huli chicken, you'll have yourself one delicious, complete meal.

Ingredients

Now, obviously, the most important ingredient here is a slightly more unusual one, the yuca. Luckily, you should be able to find it in your local grocery store - or farmers' market - by the other root vegetables.

Here's what you'll need:  

• 1 pound (0.45 kg) of yuca/cassava, peeled
• 1 tsp. salt
• Oil for frying

Yup, that's it! All you need is one delicious vegetable and the right seasoning to make these tasty fries come together.

And something interesting about the main ingredient is that cassava also comes in the form of flour, and you can use it to make the crust for this vegetarian quiche!

How to Make Yuca Frita

When it comes to cooking, making this fried yuca is pretty damn easy. It's just some easy chopping, soaking, and frying. 

Now, you will have to soak the yuca for at least 30 minutes, so make sure you factor that into your cooking process time. But after that, it takes just minutes to make these crispy yuca fries.

So, without further ado, grab your yuca, and let's get frying!

Step 1: Prep

Start by peeling the yuca and chopping it into long strips. 

Then, place the yuca in a bowl of salted water, and leave it to soak for at least 30 minutes. And don't skip this step - it is what allows the yuca fries to be so crispy outside and tender inside. 

Step 2: Frying The Yuca

Once the yuca has soaked for at least 30 minutes, preheat the oil in a deep pot to 350°F (180ºC) over medium-high heat. If you don't have a thermometer, drop a piece of bread into the oil, and if it floats and bubbles, you know it's ready. 

By the way, before putting the yuca into the oil, dry them thoroughly with paper towels.

Now, fry the yuca in small batches for a couple of minutes until they turn golden brown. If you have a large enough pan, you may be able to fry them all at once.

Then, once they're golden, remove the yuca from oil, and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to remove the excess oil.

Finally, sprinkle with salt and enjoy!

Storing & Reheating Fried Yuca

A pound of yuca makes a lot of yuca fries, so you might have some leftovers. And if you do, they can be stored for up to a week in the fridge in an airtight container.

Then to reheat them, I suggest popping them in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F for a couple of minutes until warmed.

Wrapping It Up

Well, that is how to make fried yuca! It's incredibly crispy and crunchy, has a mashed potato-like consistency on the inside, and is just so delicious. Seriously, these are like a fancier - and healthier - version of a French fry.

Try serving them with your favorite dishes, and you'll see just how great of a side they make. And if you need a dish to go with them, give this Ruth Chris stuffed chicken breast recipe a try!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this fried yuca recipe as much as I do. If you make it, leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

Oh, and as always, don't forget to check out our YouTube channel for even more delicious recipes like this one.

Print