Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries
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Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries
Up your snack game with our Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries! These fries are all about crispy goodness infused with plenty of garlic + herbs. They make for a seriously addictive snack or a tasty side dish to any meal. With the air fryer doing its magic, you'll get that crispy outside and fluffy inside. Whether you're a yucca fan or just curious to try something new, these fries are bound to become a hit. Gluten-free with an oven-baked option.
I'm a HUGE fry lover so it only makes sense that Orchids + Sweet Tea has all sorts of fry recipes—from wedges to classic fries, crinkle cuts to sweet potato fries, you name it! So, it was about time we added these Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries to the lineup. Trust me, you'll love them.
They've got that perfect texture—crispy and golden on the outside, fluffy on the inside. And the flavor? It's savory with a hint of sweetness that's different from your regular potato fries. Plus, that garlic and herb combo? It's a winner, for sure! Plus, these fries are the ideal sidekick to so many meals, the perfect game day snack, and loved by adults, kids, and everyone in between!
If you're new to cooking with yucca, don't worry—it's actually super easy and almost the same as making potato fries. You're in for a real treat with this recipe! We'll bake them in the air fryer (with an oven option too) to ensure those crispy results we all crave—no soggy fries around here, I promise! Definitely try my Crispiest Jumbo Garlic Herb Fries next --- they are always a hit.
Jump to:
- What Is Yucca?
- What Does Yucca Look & Taste Like?
- Why You Will Completely LOVE Yucca Fries
- How To Make Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries
- Ingredients
- Tips for PERFECTLY CRISPY Yucca Fries Everytime
- Do I Really Need to Soak Them?
- Best Condiments To Dip Yucca Fries Into
- How To Serve Yucca Fries
- Can I Bake These Yucca Fries In The Oven?
- Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries Q + A's
- More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries
What Is Yucca?
Yucca is a starchy root vegetable native to Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. It's often confused with yuca, which is the root vegetable commonly used to make tapioca flour. Yucca, on the other hand, is also known as cassava.
What Does Yucca Look & Taste Like?
Yucca has a rough, brown exterior and a white or yellowish flesh inside. It's similar in texture to potatoes when cooked but has a slightly sweeter flavor. It's slightly sweet, a bit nutty, and has an earthy flavor. When cooked, it's tender and starchy. It is a versatile ingredient and can be boiled, fried, baked, or mashed.
Why You Will Completely LOVE Yucca Fries
- Crispy exterior, tender interior – the perfect potato-like texture.
- Bursting with garlicky + herby flavors!
- Ideal side dish + snack for the whole family to enjoy!
- Versatile--complements various main courses.
- A total crowd-pleaser at gatherings and dinner parties.
- Elevates your air-frying game to a whole new level!!
How To Make Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries
The secret to achieving that mouthwatering crispiness with these yucca fries lies in the prep work. Peel the Yucca and then cut lengthways with a sharp knife into halves and then in halves lengthways again, and then one last time----this should create a medium-thick "stick-like" shape
Then, we soak them in ice-cold water, allowing them to fully dry afterward. After that comes the magic touch – a drizzle of oil and a generous amount of seasonings. Finally, it's all about popping them in the air-fryer (or oven) to crisp up to perfection.
Ingredients
YUCCA FRIES:
Here's a simple list of what you need for this Yucca Fries recipe:
- Yucca. You will need to peel the hard brown skin. You can typically find yucca in the produce section of most well-stocked grocery stores. It's also sometimes called cassava.
- Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
- Herbs + seasonings. Garlic powder, smoked paprika, dill, dried parsley, dried basil, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, dried thyme.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE FRIES!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries recipe. Everything from my air fryer, baking pans, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Tips for PERFECTLY CRISPY Yucca Fries Everytime
These are my top tips to make sure your Air Fryer Yucca Fries are as crisp as possible:
- Cut the yucca to equal sizes as much as possible. This way, they cook at the same rate. In this case, you’ll be cutting them rather large.
- Soak the yucca for at least 20 minutes in cool water. This removes excess starch on the outside that prevent them from crisping up.
- Let the yucca dry for at least 30 minutes (an hour is even better). Moisture is the enemy of crispiness! For good measure, blot them dry with a towel as well.
- Don’t be afraid to season well!
- Let the air fryer or oven come fully to temperature before you add the friesto the air fryer/oven. It needs to be a nice and hot environment.
- Spread the yucca pieces out well on the air fryer basket or baking sheet lined with wire rack to let the hot air circulate around each individual fry.
Do I Really Need to Soak Them?
YES! Soaking the yucca is key to getting those crispy fries in the air fryer. It helps remove excess starch, ensuring your fries come out perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Skipping this step might leave you with fries that are a bit limp and lacking that ideal texture. If you want that irresistible combo of crispiness and tenderness, soaking is definitely a must-do step.
Best Condiments To Dip Yucca Fries Into
Dipping these fries is a must --- I highly recommend serving these fries with any of the following:
- Ketchup
- BBQ sauce
- In-N-Out Sauce
- Vegan Mayo
- Creamy Avocado Pesto Mayo Sauce
- Green Goddess Dressing
- Vegan Ranch Sauce
- Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing
- Chili Sauce
- Jalapeno Ranch Sauce
- Honey Mustard
- Tartar Sauce
- Creamy Chipotle Dressing/Sauce!
- Burger Sauce + more!
Other Seasoning Options For Yucca Fries
If you're planning to whip up these fries multiple times and fancy switching up the seasoning, go ahead and get creative!
Here are a few of my top favorite seasonings to inspire you:
- For my spice lovers try Homemade Jerk Dry Rub Seasoning, Homemade Blackened Seasoning or Homemade Cajun Seasoning
- For a classic flavor combo Italian Seasoning
- A less traditional but equally delicious option Everything Bagel Seasoning is amazing!!
- If you love citrus flavors go for Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- And finally, if you are a big taco fan try Taco Seasoning! It's unsurprisingly actually SO GOOD!
How To Serve Yucca Fries
These homemade Yucca Fries are so incredibly tasty that they can stand tall as a delicious snack all by themselves. They're a crunchy and satisfying treat that will have you reaching for more.
But if you want a little more, consider pairing them with these delightful options:
BURGERS + SANDWICHES:
Match the crave-worthy crunch of the yucca fries with a juicy, flavorful burger or sandwich. It's a match made in heaven! Try alongside this Vegan Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, Jerk Turkey Burger, Southern-Style Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich or this vegan-friendly Vegan 'Tuna' Melt Sandwich.
WINGS:
Serve with another favorite side like these juicy tender, Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, Orange Chicken Wings or with a veggie alternative like Lemon Pepper Cauliflower Wings.
LOADED POTATO FRIES:
Go all out by loading these yucca fries with toppings like melted cheese, crispy candied bacon bits, herb roasted tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream. It's a flavor explosion that combines the indulgence of comfort food with the irresistible crunch of crispy potatoes. Use this Loaded Potatoes with Spicy Beans or this Meatless Buffalo Ranch Kettle Chip Nachos for inspiration!
Can I Bake These Yucca Fries In The Oven?
Yes, of course! Just preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. After all of the initial prep, cut, + soak steps, transfer the wedges to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes or until fries are golden and crispy. NOTE: Test the doneness of potatoes by seeing how soft they are and how golden the edges become. If they are tender then they are done.
Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries Q + A's
Place any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, simply add leftovers (without the sauce) to a freezer safe ziplock bag or container and keep frozen for up to 10 months.
Yes, you can use frozen yucca if fresh yucca is not available. Just make sure to thaw it completely before cooking.
To prevent sticking, lightly coat the fries with oil before seasoning them. You can also spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray before adding the fries, or use baking paper.
Keep an eye on the fries as they cook. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. You can test for doneness by inserting a fork or toothpick into a fry—it should go in easily.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
If you are a fan of my Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries recipe, you will also love these other delicious air fryer options!
- Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Jamaican Jerk Potato Wedges
- Spicy Gochujang Chicken Tenders
- Homemade Texas Toast Garlic Bread
- Candied Bacon
- Everything Chicken Tomato Grilled Cheese
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Air Fryer Garlic Herb Yucca Fries
Ingredients
FRIES:
- 1 ½ lbs. Yucca, peeled
- 3-4 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tsps smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
PREP + SOAK YUCCA:
- Peel they Yucca and cut lengthways into halves and then in halves lengthways again, and then one last time----this should create a medium-thick "stick-like" shape. You should have about 6-8 pieces of fries (aka "sticks") when done for each Yucca. Repeat until all Yucca are cut. NOTE: Because Yucca has an odd shape, you'll have shorter sticks than your normal french fry.
- In a bowl, add cold water until ¾ filled along with a few ice cubes and salt to keep things cold. Add cut Yucca into bowl and let soak for 20 minutes.
- Once soak time is complete, drain Yucca and pat dry thoroughly before adding them unto a flat surface (i.e. countertop, cutting board, etc.) lined with paper towels for them to "dry" out for a bit (about 30-minutes to 1 hour). NOTE: This process helps them to be extra crispy when baked.
AIR FRY THE FRIES:
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 375 degrees and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray to keep the fries from sticking.
- Add the dry cut slices of Yucca into a large bowl along with the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, and dill mixing everything together with your hands until fries are full coated.
- Transfer the fries to the prepared basket and cook for 10-15 minutes or until fries are golden and crispy. NOTE: Test the doneness of Yucca by seeing how soft they are and how golden the edges become. If they are tender then they are done.
- Remove the Air Fryer fries from the oven and serve with a side of your favorite condiment/sauce (ketchup, mayo, dressings, BBQ sauce, etc).
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
Nutrition
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