As a kid, I remember my aunt making Cuban yuca with mojo for our Cuban Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) dinner. On Christmas Day, she would turn all the leftover boiled yuca into yuca frita (yuca fries or cassava fries) for Christmas lunch. Learn more about yuca!

To this day, it’s one of my favorite holiday traditions, and also, a delicious side dish!

Let me show you how to make them!

What is Yuca Frita?

Yuca frita [pronounced yoo-kah free-tah] translates to fried yuca.

Fried yuca is made from boiled yuca that are cut into thick steak fries and fried to crispy perfection. They’re crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. I guess you can say yuca fries are the Cuban version of french fries.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Yuca. You can use fresh or frozen yuca for this recipe or, you can also make the yuca fries from leftover Cuban yuca con mojo.
• Vegetable oil for frying.
• Salt to taste.

How To Cut Fresh Yuca

Unlike potatoes, fresh yuca has a tough, waxy exterior which means you can’t peel its exterior with a vegetable peeler. You have to use a very sharp knife, not a paring knife.

1. Typically, I cut the ends of the yuca first.
2. I, then, make a cut all the way down the vegetable deep enough that it cuts through the thick brown skin.
3. Next, slowly and gently separate the skin from the flesh using a knife.
4. Lastly, cut them into steak fries.

Step-By-Step Instructions

If you’re using leftover yuca, skip the ‘peel & boil the yuca’ steps and go right to frying!

Peel & Boil the Yuca

• In 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.
• Remove 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.

Yuca Fries On The Stovetop

• In a large saucepan, heat oil at medium heat until it reaches 350ºF.
• Carefully add the yuca pieces to 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.
• Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Season with salt. Serve with the sauce of your choice and enjoy!

Yuca Fries In The Air Fryer

• Place them in the basket and spray them with cooking spray or toss them with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Fry 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!

Recipe Tips

• Do not overcook the yuca. If you boil the yuca for too long, it will fall apart. You want the yuca to be fork-tender but not mushy.

• Same-sized fries are best! Make sure you cut the fries the same size so they fry evenly. The thinner you cut them, the crispier they’ll be but thicker is better!

• Serving Tip! You can enjoy yuca fries on their own (that’s how we love them!) or serve them with cilantro garlic sauce or garlic mojo dipping sauce.