If you haven’t tried yuca fries – you are in for a treat! These Crispy Baked Yuca Fries (Cassava Fries) have a crisp, savory, “buttery” outside and soft inside. They’re super easy, Paleo and Whole30 friendly and vegan.
I know you want these (I know you want these) It’s easy to see (it’s easy to see)
But now, seriously.
Don’t cha wish your yuca was…
Baked into hot crispy fries like mine?
Don’t cha.
That was circa 2006 in case you have trouble remembering these things like I do. But as my friend Nicole said the other day, basically everything pre-kids can be considered “90s” even though none of our kids were born before 2007. The timeline of a mommy brain is so complex.
Onto the recipe!
I was finally able to nail down the details for these, which I’ve actually now made 3 times, because my oven played nice with me and didn’t shut off through the baking cycle. Not complaining one bit about making it 3 times though, because these fries are really tasty. Light, the right amount of crisp, crunch and salt AKA all of the most important things in life and don’t argue on that one because it’s true.
One thing that I must caution though is that these fries should be eaten right away. Poor Adam. Every time I’ve made them he’s come home from work late and they’ve just sadly sat on his plate for hours, drying out. Then he microwaves them and they just get hard.
So, my advice is not to let that happen to YOUR yuca fries. Eat them fresh out of the oven, I mean carefully and without burning yourself on hot oil. Dip them in something delicious. Might I recommend my maple chipotle ketchup? Homemade mayo? Or maybe this awesome ranch from last week?
There are two grocery stores near me that carry yuca, if you are having trouble finding it I believe most Latin markets have it as well as speciality stores.
Don’t fight the feeling. Make the fries!
Crispy Baked Yuca Fries
Ingredients
- 1-2 yuca root aka cassava depending on size.
- 2-3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
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Over high heat on the stove, heat about 8 cups water until bubbles begin to form. Add some salt to the water as well.
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Preheat your oven to 425F.
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As the water heats, cut off the ends of the yuca with a sharp knife. With a vegetable peeler, peel off the thick layer of brown skin completely. (If you prefer to use a sharp knife to remove the peel, this is fine too. I used a regular potato peeler and it worked well.)
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If the yuca is long, cut it in half before slicing it into "fries" about 1/2 inch thick. Leave out the tough fibrous core.
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Place the cut yuca in the just-bubbling water and bring to a boil. Allow to cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the yuca is fork tender, don't let it get soft.
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Drain yuca and pat dry with paper towels. Toss the fries with coconut oil* and salt to coat them completely, and line a large baking sheet (or 2) with parchment paper.
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Arrange the yuca in a single layer on the parchment paper giving each one a bit of space, this will ensure the crispy texture.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, turning over in the middle of the cooking time. When they are golden brown and crisp they are ready to come out. Don't let them brown too much! Sprinkle with black pepper while still hot.
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Serve right away alone as a snack or as a side dish with your favorite dip Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*Using all the coconut oil is key to get a golden brown, crispy outside. Yuca is starchy and absorbs oil quickly.
Have you tried yuca? Are you curious?
Want some dipping options? Try my Zesty Ranch Dip, Honey Mustard, or Maple Chipotle Ketchup – all Paleo.
I think I have tried Yuca, just not tried cooking it at home. These look delicious. I still need to make your ketchup! lol
Very good and not at all as intimidating as they look in the store 🙂
I will be looking out for yuca in my grocery store(s) this weekend! Glad that your oven cooperated for you:)
The oven’s been doing better lately, but still a mystery. Seems to start turning off when it gets really hot on the stove. Yuca are not as intimidating as they look!
If you have Amazon, they sell both.
These look amazingly! And I would totally try them out… If I could get some Yuca!
We can’t even get plantains in Scotland but will keep an eye out and if I ever spot them then I will be making!
I didn’t know of yuca until a few months ago. Seems like the stores that sell plantains also have yuca, hopefully you can find both at some point 🙂
The oven thing would make me crazy. I have no idea how you deal with it. But these yucca fries are a must try. My market has them now hopefully I’ll remember. 🙂
It’s been doing better over the past week, seems like a lot of heat on the stove makes it shut off so I’ve been trying not to cook everything at once. Still a mystery. Definitely try if you can get them 🙂
Yesssss! i love how crispy those look, the outside color reminds me of my beloved roast potatoes that we have in england! Yum! I would love to give these a try…althoguh I wish you waited till monday, I am sure the meatless monday lovers would be LOVING this…..I think you should still add it as well!
I will link this! It’s funny that I never think to link my recipes since I’m thinking they all have meat- but not everything I make is meat 🙂
I had chunks of yucca the other day in a chicken stew. It was so good. Chunks of chicken, carrots, little kale and yucca in a very light tomato base. It was simmered in a pot after the chicken had been sautéed for five minutes to sear it on both sides and then cooked in this light tomato gravy/broth. It had thickened and served in a bowl. Hey, haven’t forgotten that dinner. After this deep thaw leaves us good for u guys? Happy weekend!
Ooh that sounds wonderful! Can’t wait for the weather to warm up a bit, and have a great weekend 🙂
I’ve never tried yuca before, but these look so wonderfully crispy that you may have just sold me. And I was hoping to head out to the mountains this weekend, but I’m still not sure if my back will let me. It’s got one day to whip itself into shape, so fingers crossed!
Yuca was a great discovery, different from anything I’ve tried yet. Hope your back is better, but best not to push it if it’s not there yet. I’m so impressed by all the snowboarding you do!
I’ve never tried yuca but yes, I am curious! This weekend it’s just Andrew, the baby and I so we are going out on a very overdue date night on Saturday. YAY!
Have fun tonight! Date nights can be few and far between, I hear you 🙂
Yes! They must be eaten right away….otherwise I feel like I’m choking on them as they dry out :/ That’s where ketchup comes to the rescue though!
I know! I’ve tried to re-steam them for Adam but it’s never the same as when they’re fresh 🙂
yes i am curious! i have tried yuca at several south american restaurants and while we were in Chile, however i think the fries sound much better than boiled in soup, or made into fried patties. the boiled yuca didn’t do it for me, and the patties really had too much ‘flour-type’ stuff to enjoy IMO.
so i’m loving you for this, thank you Michele and happy friday!!!
I haven’t done my research but I’m wondering if you could spiralize and do pasta with this? It has an interesting texture when boiled, but then I’ve just wound up crisping it up so not sure. It is really good baked into fries! Have a great weekend Danielle!
My guess about spiralizing yuca would be that it would be very hard to sprialize and then it would turn quite gooey and sticky when cooked. Using it as an ingredient in a flatbread based on Brazilian cheese bread with tapioca, cheese, a bit of salt, an egg and some oil and either water or milk or cream, makes a really wonderful snack or meal though.
Never have I ever attempted to prepare yuca in any shape or form before, but these look and sound so good and easy enough that a culinarily challenged person like me could probably pull them off!
Thanks for this recipe and for getting all the songs stuck in my head.
They definitely look way more intimidating than they are. I didn’t think the skin would come off just with a vegetable peeler but it does! And yup, I’ve had that song in my head for 2 days 🙂
Like your recipe Michele!
When I noticed yuca was also called cassave I realised I’m already familiar with this dish.
Here it’s called telo, it’s a Surinam snack. We usually eat it with bakkeljouw, which is dried and salted cod fish. Just google for “telo met bakkeljouw” and you’ll find it. Actually ate it yesterday, nom nom nom.
Like your blog. Gonna keep my eye on it.
Very cool! I’ll have to look up more recipes for this, clearly I’m just getting into it and I’m sure there are great tasty possibilities! Thank you!
I have not tried yuca yet but I definitely want to!! These look easy enough to try as a first timer!
Yes, very easy! Peel, slice, boil, bake!
I’ve never tried yuca that I know of… but love the idea of yuca fries! I ALMOST bought jicama the other day but chickened out…
I really love raw jicama, I think more than cooked. Definitely worth a try. The yuca too!
Wow these look amazing! I’ve never made Yuca. My daughter is trying out the paleo diet and I am a veg so doesn’t always mesh but we can both eat these! Thanks for linking up with us today for Meatless Monday!!
totally addicted to these type of fries but need you to come make them, you’re the pro with potatoes and plantains! haha
Yuca fries are one of my absolute favorite foods! Seriously. I did a lot of traveling in Africa and sometimes I would request just Yuca “chips” for dinner. Always hit the spot:) I need to get around to making these asap.
These look great- I can’t wait to make them!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy!
I have never had yuca fries but they’re going on my grocery list today. They look so darn delicious, Michele. Thanks for a great recipe!
They’re awesome – so crispy and great flavor!
I am a little confused. Doesn’t cassava always have to be squeezed out for safety? Or does simply cooking it make it safe?
I believe cooking it (in this case boiling then baking) is fine 🙂
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Delicious and easy to make!
Could you do the boiling part a day or two before the actual baking part? I’m basically trying to prep ahead to make it weeknight friendly.
I think you probably can, haven’t tried that though.
Can we substitute coconut oil with olive oil? I don’t tolerate coconut.
Best fries I’ve ever had
A very easy method of making yucca fries a healthier way (meaning without all the extra fat deep frying adds)and delicious! Congratulations!
So good!