Air Fryer Yuca Frita: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Yuca frita is a beloved snack in Brazil and other parts of Latin America. It is a healthier alternative to traditional potato French fries. Yuca, also known as cassava or manioc, is a starchy root vegetable with a mild, nutty flavour. It is gluten-free and packed with nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. To make yuca frita in an air fryer, first peel and cut the yuca into batons. Then, boil the yuca until tender. Next, season the yuca with oil and spices. Finally, air fry the yuca until golden brown and crispy.

Choosing yuca: fresh or frozen?

When making yuca frita in an air fryer, you can use either fresh or frozen yuca. Here are some things to consider when choosing between the two:

Fresh Yuca

Fresh yuca can be purchased year-round at Asian, Latin, or African markets, and sometimes in larger grocery stores. It has a tough, waxy exterior, which means you'll need to use a sharp knife to cut and peel the rough outer layer. When buying fresh yuca, choose firm roots without bruises or cuts. It can be stored whole in a cool, dry place and cooked within 1-2 weeks.

Frozen Yuca

Frozen yuca is more widely available in supermarkets and is typically found in the freezer section. It is already peeled and cut into pieces, saving you prep time. Frozen yuca is also convenient if you're intimidated by the prospect of peeling fresh yuca. However, make sure the frozen yuca is fully thawed before you start cooking.

Both fresh and frozen yuca can be used to make yuca frita in an air fryer. The decision depends on your personal preference and availability. Fresh yuca allows you to control the quality and is often more cost-effective, but it requires more preparation time. On the other hand, frozen yuca is more convenient and saves time, as it is already peeled and cut.

Preparing yuca for the air fryer

Step 1: Peel and Cut the Yuca

Start by washing the yuca root thoroughly. Using a sharp knife, trim off the ends of the yuca. Depending on its length, you may want to cut it into halves or even thirds to make it more manageable. Use a knife or a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer skin, leaving only the white fibrous flesh. Be sure to discard any pieces with black veins, as these indicate that the yuca is past its prime.

Step 2: Boil the Yuca

Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the prepared yuca to the pot and boil it until it becomes fork-tender. This usually takes around 20-25 minutes. Be careful not to overboil the yuca, as it can make your fries soggy. Once it's cooked, remove the yuca from the pot and allow it to cool on a cooling rack. Avoid placing it on a plate or a hard surface, as this can also lead to sogginess.

Step 3: Cut the Yuca into Fries

Once the yuca is cool enough to handle, cut it in half lengthwise. Remove the fibrous string running down the center. Depending on the thickness of your yuca, cut each half into 4-6 pieces to create fry-shaped sticks. Aim for consistent sizing to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Season the Yuca

Place the yuca sticks in a large bowl. Add your choice of oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. You can also include seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and a squeeze of lime juice. Toss the yuca sticks until they are well coated with the oil and seasonings.

Step 5: Air Fry the Yuca

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F to 380°F. Place the seasoned yuca fries in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. You may need to cook the fries in batches. Air fry for 7-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fries, until they are golden brown and crispy.

Tips for Preparing Yuca:

• Peeling yuca can be tricky, but a useful tip is to score the yuca lengthwise with a sharp knife and then use your fingers to peel off the tough skin.
• Always aim for uniform sizing when cutting your yuca to ensure even cooking.
• Avoid overboiling the yuca, as it can make your fries soggy.
• Allow the yuca to cool properly before cutting it into fries.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between each fry to allow for even cooking and crispiness.
• Experiment with different seasonings to find your favorite flavor combinations.

Boiling yuca

Preparing the Yuca:

Start by washing the yuca root thoroughly. Yuca can be a bit tricky to peel, so here's a helpful tip: use a sharp knife to cut off both ends of the yuca root, then create a long lengthwise cut through the tough outer skin. From there, use a paring knife to carefully remove the exterior. It's important to remove all of the tough, waxy brown skin.

Cutting the Yuca:

Once the yuca is peeled, cut it into manageable pieces. You can cut them into chunks, strips, or any shape you prefer. For yuca fries, cut the yuca in half lengthwise, then remove the fibrous string in the center. Depending on the thickness of your yuca, cut each half into 4-6 pieces to create uniform fry shapes.

Boiling the Yuca:

Place the yuca pieces in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover the yuca by about 2 inches. You can also add a small amount of vinegar and salt to the water if desired. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer the yuca until it is tender. The cooking time can vary depending on the size and thickness of your yuca pieces, but it typically takes around 20-30 minutes for the yuca to become tender. Be careful not to overboil the yuca, as this can make it soggy.

Draining and Cooling:

Once the yuca is tender, remove it from the boiling water and drain it in a colander. Gently separate the yuca into large pieces and remove the tough core if necessary. Allow the yuca to cool on a cooling rack instead of a plate or hard surface, as this helps prevent sogginess. Let it cool until it is safe to handle.

By following these steps, you'll have perfectly boiled yuca that is ready to be seasoned and cooked further, whether you're making yuca fries, mashing it, or enjoying it as a simple side dish.

Seasoning yuca

Selecting and Preparing the Yuca:

• When choosing yuca, look for firm roots without any soft spots. You can use fresh or frozen yuca, but fresh yuca allows for better quality control and is often more cost-effective.
• Start by washing the yuca root and cutting off the ends. Depending on its length, you may need to cut it into halves or thirds.
• The next step is peeling the yuca. Use a sharp knife or a peeler to remove the tough outer skin, leaving only the fibrous white flesh. It is important to discard any pieces with black veins as they indicate that the yuca is past its prime.
• After peeling, cut the yuca in half lengthwise and remove the fibrous string running down the center.

Boiling the Yuca:

• Add the prepared yuca to a large pot of salted boiling water. Boil the yuca for around 20-25 minutes, or until it is fork-tender and starts to split. Avoid overboiling to prevent soggy fries.
• Once boiled, remove the yuca from the pot and allow it to cool on a cooling rack. Avoid placing it on a plate or hard surface, as this can make the yuca soggy.

Seasoning and Air Frying the Yuca:

• Cut the cooled yuca into uniform-sized fries. Place the yuca sticks in a large bowl.
• For seasoning, you can use a variety of spices and herbs such as olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, and salt. You can also add a squeeze of lime juice for a zesty touch. Experiment with different spices to find your preferred combination.
• Gently toss the yuca sticks in the bowl until they are well coated with the seasoning mixture.
• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the seasoned yuca fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. This allows for even cooking and crispiness.
• Air fry the yuca for 7-8 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Once cooked, sprinkle the yuca fries with a dash of salt and lime juice, and add some fresh herbs if desired.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to experiment and find the combination of flavours that you enjoy the most. Don't be afraid to get creative and adjust the spices to your taste preferences.

Cooking yuca in the air fryer

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make yuca frita in an air fryer:

• Yuca (aka cassava) root
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Spices of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, etc.)
• Lime (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

• Peel and Prep: Start by washing the yuca root. Then, using a sharp knife, cut the ends off. Halve the yuca root or cut it into thirds to get your desired fry length. Peel off the tough outer skin using a knife or peeler. You should be left with only the fibrous white flesh. Discard any pieces with black veins.
• Boil: Add your prepped yuca root to a large pot of salted boiling water. Boil for around 20-25 minutes or until the yuca is fork-tender. Avoid overboiling to prevent soggy fries.
• Cool: Remove the yuca from the pot and let it cool on a cooling rack. Avoid using a plate or hard surface, as this can make the yuca soggy.
• Cut: Once the yuca is cool enough to handle, cut it in half lengthwise. Remove the fibrous string in the centre. Depending on the thickness of your yuca, cut each half into 4-6 pieces.
• Season: Place the yuca sticks in a large bowl. Add olive oil, your desired spices, and the juice from half a lime (if using). Gently toss until well coated.
• Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F-380°F. Place the yuca fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Air fry for 7-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
• Serve: Sprinkle the yuca fries with a dash of salt and lime juice, and add some fresh herbs if desired. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• For crispy results, ensure the yuca fries are well-coated in oil and not overcrowded in the air fryer basket.
• Cut the yuca into consistent-sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking.
• You can use frozen yuca to save time on peeling and parboiling.
• Reheat any leftovers in the air fryer to regain crispiness.

Dipping Sauces:

• Brazilian Classic Dip: Mix mayonnaise and ketchup.
• Mayo Lime Spice: Mix mayonnaise, soy sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, garlic powder, and fresh herbs.
• Spicy Kick: Mix sriracha with ketchup or mayonnaise.
• Mojo Sauce: Blend garlic, parsley, cilantro, olive oil, and orange juice.

Frequently asked questions