Air Fryer Yuca Chips: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Yuca, also known as cassava, is a starchy root vegetable with a slightly sweet, nutty flavour. A healthier alternative to potato chips, yuca chips are easy to make in an air fryer and can be seasoned with your choice of herbs and spices. Here is a simple recipe to make yuca chips in an air fryer.

Choosing and preparing the yuca

Yuca, also known as cassava, is a starchy root vegetable with a tree bark-like skin and starchy white flesh. It is a large shrub native to Latin America and the Caribbean.

When choosing yuca, look for one that is the same size all around, as this will ensure your yuca chips are evenly sized.

To prepare the yuca, first, peel the yuca completely. The skin can be tough to remove, so you may need to use a paper towel to get a better grip. Once peeled, cut the yuca in half to make it easier to slice. Place the yuca in cold water to avoid browning.

Next, slice the yuca into thin, even pieces. The thinner the slices, the crispier the chips will be. A mandoline can be helpful for achieving even slices.

After slicing, dry the yuca thoroughly. This step is crucial, as any remaining moisture can cause the yuca to steam instead of fry, resulting in soggy chips.

If desired, you can soak the yuca slices in cold water for 15-30 minutes before boiling. This step can help improve the texture of the chips. However, be sure to dry them thoroughly after soaking.

Boiling the yuca

Preparation

First, you will need to peel the yuca and cut it into halves or quarters. This will make it easier to work with and ensure even cooking. Place the yuca in cold water to prevent browning.

Boiling

For boiling, you will need a pot large enough to fit the yuca comfortably. Add enough water to cover the yuca completely. You can also add salt to taste, similar to cooking pasta or potatoes. Bring the water to a boil and then add the yuca. Allow it to cook for around 10-20 minutes, or until it is fork-tender. You don't want it to get too soft, so keep an eye on it.

Draining and Drying

Once the yuca is boiled, drain the water using a colander and let the yuca cool down. It is important to ensure that the yuca is thoroughly dried before the next steps. You can use paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth to pat it dry.

Slicing

After boiling and drying, you can cut the yuca into your desired shape. For chips, slice the yuca into thin, even pieces. A mandolin or a sharp knife can help you achieve uniform slices. Remember that the slices should not be too thin, or they might dry out in the air fryer.

Seasoning (Optional)

At this stage, you can choose to season the yuca with your favourite spices. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, Italian herbs, paprika, cayenne, or chilli powder. This step can also be done after air frying, depending on your preference.

Now that your yuca is boiled and seasoned, it's time to move on to the air frying process. Remember to preheat your air fryer and cook the yuca in batches to ensure even cooking. Enjoy your delicious, crispy yuca chips!

Seasoning the yuca

Preparing the Yuca

Before you begin seasoning, it is important to prepare the yuca properly. Start by peeling the yuca completely to expose the white flesh underneath. The yuca can be slippery, so be cautious and consider using a paper towel to get a better grip while peeling. After peeling, cut the yuca in half to make it easier to slice into chips. Place the peeled yuca in cold water to prevent browning.

Slicing the Yuca

For even cooking, it is essential to slice the yuca into uniform, thin slices. Aim for slices that are about 1/8-inch thick. A mandoline or a sharp knife can be used to achieve even slices. Once sliced, lay the yuca on paper towels to dry. It is important to ensure that the yuca slices are as dry as possible before frying to prevent sogginess.

Choosing Your Seasonings

The beauty of making yuca chips is that you can customise the seasonings to your preference. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with various spices. Some popular seasoning options include garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, dried oregano, dried parsley, Italian herbs, and truffle salt. Feel free to experiment and find the combination that suits your taste buds!

Mixing the Seasonings

In a large bowl, combine your chosen seasonings with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point. Add the cooked yuca chips to the bowl and toss them gently until they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture. Ensure that each chip is well-coated for maximum flavour.

Air Frying the Seasoned Yuca

Once your yuca chips are seasoned, it's time to air fry them! Seasoning the yuca is a crucial step in achieving the perfect flavour for your yuca chips. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to guide you through the seasoning process:

Preparing the Yuca

Before you begin seasoning, it is important to prepare the yuca properly. Start by peeling the yuca completely to expose the white flesh underneath. The yuca can be slippery, so be cautious and consider using a paper towel to get a better grip while peeling. After peeling, cut the yuca in half to make it easier to slice into chips. Place the peeled yuca in cold water to prevent browning.

Slicing the Yuca

For even cooking, it is essential to slice the yuca into uniform, thin slices. Aim for slices that are about 1/8-inch thick. A mandoline or a sharp knife can be used to achieve even slices. Once sliced, lay the yuca on paper towels to dry. It is important to ensure that the yuca slices are as dry as possible before frying to prevent sogginess.

Choosing Your Seasonings

The beauty of making yuca chips is that you can customise the seasonings to your preference. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with various spices. Some popular seasoning options include garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, dried oregano, dried parsley, Italian herbs, and truffle salt. Feel free to experiment and find the combination that suits your taste buds!

Mixing the Seasonings

In a large bowl, combine your chosen seasonings with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point. Add the cooked yuca chips to the bowl and toss them gently until they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture. Ensure that each chip is well-coated for maximum flavour.

Air Frying the Seasoned Yuca

Once your yuca chips are seasoned, it's time to air fry them! Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically between 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. Place the seasoned yuca chips in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. You may need to cook the chips in multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Air fry the chips for 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking or burning.

Storing and Reheating Tips

If you have any leftover yuca chips, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cooked chips on a baking sheet in a single layer, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or container. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply place the chips back in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius for 3-5 minutes until crispy again.

Air-frying the yuca

Prep and Soak

Remove the skin from the yuca root and cut it into sticks or long strips. Place the cut yuca into a bowl of cold water and leave to sit for 15-30 minutes.

Boil the yuca

After soaking, drain the water and add the yuca to a pot of salted boiling water. Boil for approximately 10-15 minutes, until the yuca is fork-tender.

Preheat the air fryer

While the yuca is boiling, preheat your air fryer to 350-360°F (180°C).

Season the yuca

Drain the yuca and pat it dry with a paper towel. Add the yuca to a large bowl with your chosen seasonings and oil, and toss to coat well.

Air fry

Place the seasoned yuca in the air fryer basket in an even layer, ensuring the yuca pieces are not touching. You may need to cook the yuca in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Air fry the yuca for 10-15 minutes, or until golden and crunchy. Repeat the process with any remaining yuca.

Tips

• It is important to ensure the yuca is completely dry before placing it in the air fryer, as this will help it cook faster and produce a crispier texture.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent the yuca from steaming instead of frying, which can result in soggy chips.
• You can use frozen yuca for this recipe, simply add it directly to the pot of boiling water without thawing first.
• Don't skip the boiling step! This helps to remove toxins from the yuca and ensures it is fully cooked through before air frying.

Storing and reheating the yuca chips

Storing and reheating yuca chips is simple! If you have any yuca chips leftover (which is unlikely!), allow them to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and crispy for up to a week.

If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them. Spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze them, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To reheat, place the chips back in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until crispy. Alternatively, you can warm them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes. If frozen, cook them directly from frozen – there's no need to thaw them first.

Frequently asked questions