These crispy Oven Baked Yuca Fries are a healthier twist on a classic Cuban side dish that my father, a chef in Cuba, taught me to make growing up. While traditional yuca fries are deep-fried, this baked version delivers the same golden, crispy exterior and fluffy interior with far less oil – a technique my father perfected when he wanted all the flavor without the heavy frying. Yuca fries (also called cassava fries or yucca fries) are a beloved staple in Cuban cuisine, and once you try these addictive crispy baked fries, you'll understand why they appear at every family gathering and cookout.
This easy yuca fries recipe requires just a few simple ingredients – fresh or frozen yuca, olive oil, and seasonings – and results in perfectly crispy fries that are naturally gluten-free and paleo-friendly. Whether you're serving them alongside Cuban roast pork, dipping them in garlic mojo sauce, or enjoying them as a snack, these oven baked yuca fries are about to become your new favorite alternative to regular potato fries.
Why You’ll Love this Yuca Fries Recipe
- Yuca is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B and Potassium
- This dish is gluten free.
- Perfect appetizer or side dish for any meal.
- Carb lover's dream dish.
- The onions, garlic and citrus add an amazing brightness to the starchy yucca.
What is yuca?
Yuca is a root vegetable, also known as Cassava and Yucca, that is a drought tolerant vegetable that thrives throughout the Caribbean and South America. It's scientific name is Manihot Esculenta and it's a very starchy veggie with a large amount of carbohydrates. From yuca we also get tapioca and cassava flour.
Yuca Fries Recipe Ingredients
- Frozen Yuca
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Garlic Powder
- Lime
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Onion Powder
Fresh vs. frozen yuca
Fresh Yuca is great, but with it comes the tedious process of peeling and chopping it. Cassava has a very thick rind that requires some muscle and a sharp knife to remove. Using fresh yuca is labor intensive and time consuming.
For that reason, I prefer frozen yuca use frozen yuca in this recipe. It saves you a lot of time and hassle.
How to Make Yuca Fries
- Place your frozen yuca in a dutch oven and add enough water that the yuca is completely covered. Then, add 1.5 tablespoons of salt. Boil over medium heat until the yuca is cooked, but not mushy about 30- 40 minutes depending how big the cassava root pieces are.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Drain the yuca, carefully cut the cassava into fourths to make them look like "fries." Be sure to remove the hard core. that is at the center of the cassava root.
3. Mix together your vegetable oil, black pepper, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder and 1 teaspoon of salt in a small bowl.
4. Place the yuca fries in a baking pan in a single layer and pour the oil and spice mixture over the yuca. Be sure to move the yuca around to well coat the fries in oil. Top with onion slices and place the yuca in the oven for 15 minutes uncovered.
5. Then take the yuca out and flip the fries over to ensure all sides get crisp. During this time, remove and discard the onion slices. Place the yuca strips back in the oven for another 15 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy.
Baked Yuca Fries Variations and Substitutions
Don't want to bake these? Make them in the airfryer. Make air fryer yuca fries by “frying” the yuca for no more than 15 minutes on 380°. Don’t overcrowd the fryer as you want the fries to have room to cook evenly, this might mean having to cook in batches.
How to Serve Baked Yuca
My favorite dipping sauce for these fries is my chimichurri aioli and cilantro garlic lime sauce! Whats a fry without a good dipping sauce?!
How to Store Yuca Fries
Place leftover oven baked yuca fries in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for upto 4 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven.
It is not recommended to freeze these cassava fries.
Check out these other recipes
Baked Yuca Fries
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Frozen Yuca
- ¼ cup of Vegetable Oil
- 1 Yellow Onion thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Juice of 1 Lime
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- Fresh Parsley garnish
Instructions
- Place your frozen yuca in a dutch oven and add enough water that the yuca is completely covered. Then, add 1.5 tablespoons of salt. Boil over medium heat until the yuca is cooked, but not mushy about 30- 40 minutes depending how big the cassava root pieces are.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Drain the yuca, carefully cut the cassava into fourths to make them look like "fries." Be sure to remove the hard core. that is at the center of the cassava root.
- Place the yuca fries in a baking pan in a single layer and pour the oil and spice mixture over the yuca. Be sure to move the yuca around to well coat the fries in oil. Top with onion slices and place the yuca in the oven for 15 minutes uncovered.
- Then take the yuca out and flip the fries over to ensure all sides get crisp. During this time, remove and discard the onion slices. Place the yuca back in the oven for another 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy.
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