Crispy on the outside and tender inside, our air-fryer yuca fries are a healthier take on a beloved Brazilian classic. Naturally gluten-free and bursting with nutty, earthy flavors, our mandioca frita is the perfect side dish or snack for any occasion.
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✋🏼E aí, pessoal! Hey there, friends!
If you’re looking for a side dish that’s crispy, full of flavor, and super easy to make, you’ve got to try these Air Fryer Yuca Fries (Mandioca Frita). They’ve got this nutty, earthy flavor, a crispy golden crust, and a creamy, tender inside that’s just so good. And the best part? They’re made entirely in the air fryer, so no messy frying or annoying cleanup.
I grew up eating yuca fries as a kid in Brazil. They’re such a classic snack or side dish. My grandmother would fry up a big batch, and we’d eat them fresh and hot, sprinkled with salt and dipped in ketchup 🤤! These air fryer yuca fries are my healthier take, but they still have all the flavors I loved growing up. Plus, they go perfectly with pretty much any meal, like our Brazilian style rice and beans!
Looking for more easy air fryer recipes? Try our Air Fryer Bolinho de Arroz (Brazilian Rice Balls)-another fun and easy side dish that’s great for using up leftover rice. Or if you are in the mood for frying, our crispy yuca chips are a great way to use up leftover yuca!
🥳Why You'll Love Yuca Fries
- No Mess, All Flavor: Skip the oil splatters and greasy cleanup! The air fryer makes these fries perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside without the hassle of deep frying.
- A Fun Twist on Fries: If you’re tired of the same old potato fries, yuca offers a nutty, earthy flavor that’s totally unique. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free!
- Kid-Approved and Crowd-Pleasing: Whether it’s a quick snack for the kids or a side dish for a dinner party, everyone loves these fries.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with just a few pantry staples, this recipe comes together easily—even for beginner cooks.
- Perfect Pairing: These fries are amazing on their own but even better with your favorite dips (like smokey eggplant dip) or as part of a Brazilian-inspired meal (like our instant-pot rice and beans).
🧠Why Eat This? Nutrient Highlight
Yuca is a fantastic source of energy, with a lower glycemic index than potatoes, making it a smart choice for blood sugar management. It's packed with dietary fiber to support digestion, keep you full, and promote heart health (1, 2, 3).
Each serving of these fries provides a boost of vitamin C, essential for immune function, skin health, and brain protection against oxidative stress (1, 2, 4, 5). Yuca also delivers potassium for heart and muscle health and iron to support oxygen flow for cognitive function. (2,7). These air fryer yuca fries are a healthier, delicious alternative to traditional fries—crispy, flavorful, and full of nutrients!
🍟Ingredients
Our air fryer yuca fries (mandioca frita) are made with only a few simple ingredients; here is what you'll need:
- Fresh Yuca Root: I prefer to buy fresh yuca roots for this recipe, but you can also use frozen yuca. Fresh yuca allows you to control the quality, and it's often more cost-effective. Frozen yuca, on the other hand, is already peeled and won't be bruised or overripe.
- Olive Oil: This adds a rich flavor and helps the yuca fries become crispy without needing a lot of oil.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor without the hassle of peeling and chopping fresh garlic.
- Onion Powder: Enhances the flavor profile with a mild onion taste.
- Oregano: Brings a hint of earthiness that complements the starchy root vegetable.
- Paprika: Adds a bit of color and a mild, sweet pepper flavor.
- Salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors in your yuca fries.
- Lime: A squeeze of fresh lime juice adds a zesty brightness to the fries.
Full quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
🥬Ingredient Substitutions
If you find yourself missing an ingredient for making our air fryer mandioca frita recipe, here are some substitutions that have worked for us in the past:
- Oil Substitution: Instead of olive oil, make your fries with avocado oil or coconut oil. Both options will give you a nice crispy texture and are excellent for high-heat cooking.
- Spices Substitution: Feel free to get creative with your spices. We like adding thyme or rosemary for a different herb profile. Or chili or cayeen peppers for some heat!
👩🏽🍳Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Peel and Prep:
Start by washing your yuca root. Then, using a sharp knife, cut the ends off. Halve the yuca root (if it's very long, you can cut it into thirds) to get the desired length for your fries. Peel off the tough outer skin using a knife or peeler (see images). You should be left with only the fibrous white flesh.
Discard any pieces with black veins. If using frozen yuca, skip this step and follow the package instructions. If pre-boiling is not required, move on to Step 4.
Step 2: Boil Yuca:
To a large pot of salted boiling water, add your prepped yuca root. Boil for 25 minutes or until the yuca starts to split or becomes fork-tender. Avoid overboiling to prevent soggy fries.
Step 3: Cool:
Using a slotted spoon, remove the yuca from the pot and let it cool on a cooling rack. Avoid using a plate or hard surface, as this can cause the yuca to become soggy. Cool until you can handle it.
Step 4: Cut Into Fries:
Cut the yuca in half lengthwise. Remove the fibrous string in the center. Depending on how thick your yuca is, cut each half into 4-6 pieces.
Step 5: Season:
Place the yuca sticks in a large bowl. Sprinkle in the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and the juice from half a lime. Gently toss until well coated.
Step 6: Air Fry Yuca Fries (Or Bake)
Air Fryer Version: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the yuca fries in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Leave space between each fry; you may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 7-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, sprinkle a dash of salt and lime over them, feel free to add some fresh herbs if you have.
Oven Version: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper and grease it with a bit of olive oil. Arrange the fries on the parchment paper, leaving space between them. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 7: Serve:
Serve your crispy air fryer yuca fries with your favorite dipping sauce. In Brazil, they're often enjoyed plain or with a mix of mayo and ketchup. I love mixing mayo, lime juice, chives, and parsley for the ultimate yuca fry dipping sauce.
💡Yuca Fries Tips
- Peeling Yuca: Peeling yuca can be tricky, but here’s a tip: for fresh yuca, score the yuca lengthwise with a sharp knife and then use your fingers to peel off the tough skin. This method makes it easier and quicker to peel the yuca without wasting the starchy root vegetable.
- Getting the Right Size: Consistent size is key. Cut the yuca into evenly sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking. This prevents some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked.
- Crispy Results: The functional properties of yuca starch help achieve a crispy exterior! But avoid overboiling and cool your yuca root before cutting it into fries!
- Air Fryer Tips: Arrange yuca pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding prevents them from getting crispy. Preheat the air fryer for best results.
- Seasoning: Don't be afraid to experiment with seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and paprika are my go-to spices for this recipe. A squeeze of lime at the end brightens up the flavors.
⏲️ Meal Prep This Recipe
- Use Frozen Yuca: Frozen yuca is usually peeled and sometimes pre-boiled, saving prep time. Follow package instructions and adjust cooking time for your Brazilian yuca fries.
- Preboil Ahead of Time: Boil yuca a day in advance and store in an airtight container. This way, you can quickly season and cook them when read
🍲Dip Suggestions & Recipe Variations
Here are a few of our favorite dips for our Brazilian yuca fry and some recipe variations if you need to adapt this recipe:
- Brazilian Classic Dip: One of the more popular dip options is to mix mayo and ketchup together. This is how we would always enjoy it back home, this dip version is creamy with a tang of sweetness!
- Mayo Lime Spice: This is my favorite version. Adapted from the classic, you want to mix 3 tablespoon of mayo, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon lime, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and some fresh dill or chives.
- Spicy Kick: Mix sriracha with either ketchup or mayo for a spicy version that pairs so well with yuca fries!
- Make Yuca Chips: IF you have leftover yuca or want a change try out our crispy fun yuca chips!
- Different Starchy Roots: If you want to try something different, you can use other starchy roots like sweet potatoes, taro, or parsnips. Each brings a unique flavor and texture, giving you a new twist on the classic mandioc fries.
- Spicy Version: For those who like a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mix. To kick things up a notch, serve the fries with a spicy dipping sauce, like sriracha mayo.
🥡How To Store
Place your leftover air fryer yuca fries in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat them in the air fryer or oven to regain crispy texture. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the cassava fries soggy. Spread the yuca pieces on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake/ air fry at 375°F until heated through and crispy again.
❔Recipe FAQ
Yuca fries, also known as manioc, or cassava fries, are made from yuca root, a starchy tuberous root vegetable. I love using fresh yuca root for this recipe, but you can also use frozen yuca if you're short on time. The yuca is peeled, boiled, and then air fried to make deliciously crispy fries.
Yuca or mandioca frita can be a healthier alternative to traditional potato fries. Yuca is an excellent source of vitamin C and has a lower glycemic index compared to potatoes, which means it can be better for blood sugar levels. Plus, making yuca fries in an air fryer uses less oil, resulting in a healthier way to enjoy fries.
Yes, yuca is naturally gluten-free. It’s a fantastic option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. As someone who manages severe gluten allergies in my family, I appreciate how versatile and safe mandioca frita are for gluten-free cooking.
Yes, this recipe was tested with both fresh and frozen yuca root and both versions turend out crispy, with a nice golden brown texture. 
If you see black lines or vines (like the image below), the yuca is past its prime, and should be discarded.
🌟 Loved this mandioca frita na air fry recipe? Let’s connect! I’d be thrilled if you could leave a star rating, share this recipe, or comment below. Or come chat with me on Facebook or Instagram! Your feedback helps support and improve AtMyTable and helps others discover new favorites.
🥣More Easy Side Dishes
If you enjoyed our air fryer yuca fries, be sure to check out some other easy and delicious side dishes (always gluten-free):
👋🏼Até logo, amigos! Keep savoring every bite and don’t forget—life’s better with a little flavor and fun. Até a próxima!
📖 Recipe
Brazilian Air Fryer Yuca Fries
Ingredients
- 3 yuca roots or frozen*
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 fresh lime
Instructions
- Peel and Cut: Wash and dry the yuca. Then cut the ends off and halve the yuca root (if it's very long, cut it into thirds). Peel off the tough skin using a knife or peeler, leaving only the fibrous white flesh. Discard any pieces with black veins. If using frozen yuca, skip this step and follow the package instructions.3 yuca roots
- Boil: Boil yuca in salted water for 25 minutes until fork-tender. Avoid overboiling.
- Cool: Remove yuca and cool on a rack until handleable. Avoid using a plate or hard surface, as this can cause the yuca to become soggy.
- Cut: Halve yuca lengthwise, remove the fibrous string, and cut into fry-sized pieces.
- Season: Gently toss the yuca pieces in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, and salt, and the juice from half a lime.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 fresh lime
- Air Fryer Version: Preheat to 375°F. Place yuca fries in the basket in a single layer. Air fry for 7-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.Oven Version: Preheat to 400°F. Place yuca fries on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Before serving, feel free to add a bit more salt and fresh lime juice, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
📝Information Source
- Vargas-Aguilar, P. (2016). Flours and starches made from cassava (yuca), yam, sweet potatoes and ñampi: functional properties and possible applications in the food industry. Revista Tecnología en Marcha, 29, 86-94.
- USDA FoodData Central. Cassava, Raw. Accessed June 5, 2024.
- Infante, B., García, O., & Rivera, C. (2013). Characterization of dietary fiber and pectin of cassava bread obtained from different regions of Venezuela. Revista chilena de nutrición, 40(2), 169-173.
- Grosso, G., Bei, R., Mistretta, A., Marventano, S., Calabrese, G., Masuelli, L., ... & Gazzolo, D. (2013). Effects of vitamin C on health: a review of evidence. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed), 18(3), 1017-29.
- Kojo, S. (2004). Vitamin C: basic metabolism and its function as an index of oxidative stress. Current medicinal chemistry, 11(8), 1041-1064.
- Weaver, C. M. (2013). Potassium and health. Advances in Nutrition, 4(3), 368S-377S.
- Chavez, A. L., Bedoya, J. M., Sánchez, T., Iglesias, C., Ceballos, H., & Roca, W. (2000). Iron, carotene, and ascorbic acid in cassava roots and leaves. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 21(4), 410-413.
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