Yuca Frita (Yuca Fries / Fried Yuca)

Yuca frita (or yuca fries) is a delicious Latin American side dish, appetizer, or snack that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Learn how to turn yuca (or cassava) into fried yuca two ways — on the stovetop or in the air fryer! You can either peel and boil yuca from scratch or use leftover Cuban yuca con mojo. The Cuban version of French fries!

📝 Ingredients

• 2 lbs yuca (cassava, peeled (or 1.5 lbs frozen yuca, thawed))
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro Garlic Sauce (for dipping)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1If you're using leftover Cuban yuca that is already cooked/boiled, skip the steps to peel & boil the yuca.
2. 2--- Peel & Boil the Yuca ---
3. 3In a large pot with water and salt, add the yuca. Bring the yuca to a boil on high heat then reduce to low. Cover and simmer for about 20-30 minutes until the yuca is fork-tender, not mushy. Drain and pat them dry with paper towels then transfer them to a large bowl with a lid. Let them cool.
4. 4Remove the stringy, fibrous core from the center of each piece of yuca with a knife, if desired. Once cooled, cut the yuca, horizontally, into thick, long fries similar to steak fries.
5. 5--- Yuca Fries On The Stovetop ---
6. 6In a large saucepan, heat oil at medium heat until it reaches 350ºF.
7. 7Carefully add the yuca pieces in the oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the saucepan. I did about 3-4 at a time. Fry yuca for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
8. 8Transfer them to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Season with salt. Serve with sauce of choice and enjoy!
9. 9--- Yuca Fries In The Air Fryer ---
10. 10Place them in the basket and spray them with cooking spray or toss them with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
11. 11Fry for 15-20 minutes at 360ºF, tossing them in the basket every few minutes. Once crispy, transfer them to a plate, and season with salt. Enjoy!