Crispy Baked Yuca Fries

Potatoes, I love you. 🥔 But we all need a little break sometimes, don’t we? In comes yuca, and – more specifically – our crispy baked yuca fries!

Also known as cassava root, yuca may take a little more prep than potatoes, but it is so worth it. These fries are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, with just a hint of curry spice.

These incredibly nutritious fries are the perfect side to any dish, whether you want to eat them alongside a burger, wrap, sandwich, or even our vegan butternut squash fritters.

Of course, you can simply dip them in some of our homemade healthy ketchup for a satisfying snack. Or should that be satis-FRY-ing snack? 🍟

What is Yuca?

First things first – what exactly is yuca? Is it a potato? Is it a yam?

It’s actually a completely different vegetable, although it comes from the same family. Yuca is the edible tuber (root) of the cassava plant, and looks like a long yam.

The plant is native to Brazil but is cultivated and used throughout South America, where it’s boiled, baked, or fried, and eaten as a staple carbohydrate source.

You may hear of sweet yuca and bitter yuca, but it’s the sweet yuca you will most commonly encounter in grocery stores. Bitter yuca is mostly used for flours.

Why use yuca? Like a potato, yuca is relatively mild and neutral in flavor, but it is incredibly nutritious (see the section below for more on this!).

Are Yuca Fries Vegan?

Made with just yuca, oil, and a few spices, these yuca fries are 100% vegan!

Are Crispy Baked Yuca Fries Gluten-Free?

Yes! There are no glutenous ingredients in the fries or the ketchup.

What are Crispy Baked Yuca Fries Made Of?

There are two components to this recipe – the fries and the ketchup – both made with natural ingredients that are easy to find in grocery stores. In fact, you’ll probably already have most of them in your kitchen!

For the yuca fries, you will need:

• Yucas
• Salt
• Olive oil
• Curry powder
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper

For the ketchup, you will need:

• Passata tomato purée
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Maple syrup
• Mustard
• Coconut aminos
• White vinegar

How to Make Our Crispy Baked Yuca Fries?

To make the yuca fries, start by boiling some water in a large stockpot.

Meanwhile, peel the yucas to remove the waxy skin. Cut each yuca in half lengthwise, and into the shape of fries.

Place the yuca pieces into the boiling water with a pinch of salt, and boil for about 15 minutes, or until soft.

Next, preheat the oven to its maximum heat (around 450-475°F). Meanwhile, strain the water from the yuca, and allow the yuca to steam off for several minutes.

In a mixing bowl, add the yuca, olive oil, garlic salt, curry powder, and a few turns of black pepper, and toss until the yuca is well-coated.

After this, transfer the yuca to a baking tray and into the hot oven until crispy. This took 30 minutes in my oven!

Making the ketchup is simple. Just add all the ingredients to a blender, and blend until combined. Then serve with the yuca fries!

FAQ

How to Store Crispy Baked Yuca Fries

These fries are the best when served hot and crispy from the oven. However, if you have some leftovers, you can store them for later.

Allow them to cool completely, then pack them up in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat them in the oven or an air fryer to restore some of the crispy goodness!

Can You Freeze Yuca Fries?

They are certainly better eaten fresh, although if you really want to freeze any leftovers, you can.

Allow them to cool completely, then flash freeze them in a single layer on a baking tray. When frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag and store for up to a month.

Are Yuca Fries Healthy?

Fries have always been seen as a guilty pleasure, but the good news is that yuca fries are actually pretty healthy!

Yuca is a superfood that is higher in fiber than potatoes, so it’s great for your digestion. It also has high levels of vitamin C – which is beneficial for skin and immunity – and potassium, which is crucial for heart health.

Finally, yuca also contains high levels of vitamins A, as well as thiamin, folate, niacin, and manganese.

Looking for more delicious plant-based sides? Try these:

Crispy Vegan Onion Bhajis

Vegan Jeera Rice

Gluten-Free Naan Bread

The Best Hummus Recipe

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photos with @healthiir on Instagram! We’d love to see your creation. Let’s eat!