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These air fryer jicama fries turn out crisp and full of flavor, and they are very easy to make. I enjoy serving them as a healthy alternative to traditional French fries, and the rosemary, garlic powder, and fresh thyme add a nice savory touch. I also like that it is ready in about 35 minutes, which makes it easy to add to any meal when I want healthy side on the table.
Jicama fries in the air fryer are perfect for days when I want homemade fries without using potatoes. Jicama is a tuberous root vegetable from Central America with a slightly crisp and sweet flavor. Its brown skin and white flesh look similar to a potato, and it is naturally starchy and high in fiber. I enjoy using jicama as a nutritious and low carb alternative to potatoes because it has a mild nutty flavor.
When I make air fryer jicama fries, they always turn out crisp with only a small amount of oil. Cleanup is simple, and the air fryer heats up fast, so I can have a healthy and tasty side on the table in very little time. My family enjoys them just as much as regular fries, and I like switching things up with other nutritious options such as eggplant fries or my delicious air fryer yuca fries.
I have to admit that this recipe surprised me the first time I made it. One evening, I peeled and sliced the jicama while my kids went to the table to help. We all worked together tossing the fries with olive oil, garlic powder, and fresh thyme before placing them into the air fryer. When I served the warm and crisp fries straight from the basket, everyone was drooling over them, including myself.
My air fryer jicama fries recipe works so well because it uses simple ingredients that I usually have on hand and lets the air fryer handle the work. After a short boil to soften the jicama, I drain it, toss it with oil and seasonings, and let the air fryer crisp it up without turning my kitchen into a grease splatter zone. The result is a batch of crunchy fries with a sweet and mild nutty flavor, and they are much healthier than traditional fries.
As a health coach and nutritionist, I highly recommend these fries. They are now one of my favorite snacks or side dishes for busy nights because they are healthy, easy, and do not make a mess. Last week, I served them when my kids had friends over for a movie night, and none of them even noticed they were not regular fries. Everyone ate theirs right away, that’s a win!
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🥘 Ingredients
This air fryer jicama fries recipe uses simple ingredients that I can find at most grocery stores. Here is what I need to make this tasty and easy snack:
Fresh Jicama, Cut Into Strips: I pick jicama, also called a Mexican turnip, Mexican potato, or Mexican yam bean, for its juicy and mild flavor.
Olive Oil: I drizzle a small amount of olive or avocado oil over the jicama to get the fries crispy. Sometimes I use cooking spray to keep things lighter.
Rosemary and Thyme: Fresh herbs make a big difference, so I toss in thyme, chopped rosemary, or whatever herbs I have on hand.
Garlic Powder: I sprinkle just a little garlic powder on the fries because it adds great flavor. Occasionally I add a touch of onion powder too.
Salt and Black Pepper: I season with salt and pepper and sometimes add a pinch of cayenne for a little heat.
🔪 How To Make
The air fryer helps these jicama fries turn out crisp and so delicious every time. Here is how I like to make them:
Prepare the Jicama: I peel the outer skin of the raw jicama using a vegetable peeler or a paring knife. Then I cut the jicama into thin slices.
Boil The Jicama: I bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the jicama for 10 minutes until it starts to soften. Then I remove the pieces from the water and place the jicama fries on a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels.
Season the Jicama: I toss the jicama slices in a large bowl with the seasonings, drizzle them with olive oil or use a nonstick spray, and then spread the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the trays if my air fryer has them.
Air Fry Jicama Fries: I start by placing the fries in the air fryer. I cook them at 390 degrees F, flipping them halfway through so they get crispy and golden brown on all sides.
Serve: I like to sprinkle my air fryer jicama chips with fresh herbs and season them with salt and pepper. I serve them warm for the best taste and texture.
My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to shake or flip the jicama fries halfway through cooking. I take a moment to open the air fryer, give the basket a good shake, and make sure the fries move around a bit. This helps every side cook evenly so the fries turn crisp instead of soft in certain spots.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Dry the Jicama: I always drain and dry the jicama well after boiling so the oil sticks properly. This helps the fries turn crisp instead of soggy.
- Check Cooking Times: I look at my air fryer manual because every appliance cooks a little differently. This helps me avoid overcooking or undercooking the fries.
- Boil First: I always boil the jicama before air frying to help it cook evenly. Air frying it raw does not work well, so I never skip this step.
- In the Oven: After boiling the jicama, I spread the fries on a baking sheet and bake them at 425 degrees F. I toss them halfway through so they cook evenly and do not stick.
📖 Variations
The variations with air fryer jicama fries are endless! I’ve experimented with so many over the years, and here are 3 of my favorite ways to enjoy them.
Switch Up The Spice Mixture: I like to mix and match different seasonings and toppings with these jicama fries. Some of my favorites are chili powder, kosher salt, nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan cheese, fresh cilantro, green onions, smoked paprika, and parsley.
Plain and Simple Salt: I sprinkle the jicama with half a teaspoon of sea salt right after cooking. This keeps the flavor clean and lets the natural sweetness of the jicama stand out.
Lemon Herb: I add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and a small squeeze of lemon juice after cooking. The bright citrus flavor blends well with the herbs.
👨👩👧 Serving Suggestions
Like traditional French fries, I serve these jicama fries as a side dish in a variety of ways. They are versatile and go well with so many meals, making them an easy addition to any dinner.
I love pairing these healthy fries with my Florentine pizza or serving them alongside a protein-packed dish like my spicy black bean burger. They also taste great with my vegan chicken sandwich, which we have been making very often lately because the kids are completely obsessed when I shape the pieces into little nugget style bites.
🧊 Storage Directions
Refrigerating: I store the jicama fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing: I do not freeze these fries.
Reheating: I reheat the fries in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for about 5 to 7 minutes. This brings back the crisp texture much better than the microwave.
❓Recipe FAQs
When my fries are not crisp, it usually means the jicama still had a little water left on it after boiling. I take my time drying each piece with a clean towel and make sure the surface looks dry before I add the oil and seasonings. If I want them even crispier, I leave them in the air fryer for a few extra minutes and check them until they reach the texture I like.
Jicama is very firm when it is raw, and boiling helps soften it just enough so it cooks evenly in the air fryer. If I skip this step, the fries stay too hard in the center and never turn tender. A quick boil makes a big difference and helps the inside stay soft while the outside crisps up.
I brush the basket with a little oil or use a light coat of cooking spray before adding the fries. This keeps the jicama from sticking and makes cleanup easier. I also shake the basket halfway through cooking to keep the fries moving. This helps them crisp evenly without sticking to the bottom.
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📋 Recipe Card
Air Fryer Jicama Fries
These air fryer jicama fries turn out crisp and full of flavor, and they are very easy to make. I enjoy serving them as a healthy alternative to traditional French fries, and the rosemary, garlic powder, and fresh thyme add a nice savory touch. I also like that it is ready in about 35 minutes, which makes it easy to add to any meal when I want healthy side on the table.
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 115kcal
- My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to shake or flip the jicama fries halfway through cooking. I take a moment to open the air fryer, give the basket a good shake, and make sure the fries move around a bit. This helps every side cook evenly so the fries turn crisp instead of soft in certain spots.
- Dry the Jicama: I always drain and dry the jicama well after boiling so the oil sticks properly. This helps the fries turn crisp instead of soggy.
- Check Cooking Times: I look at my air fryer manual because every appliance cooks a little differently. This helps me avoid overcooking or undercooking the fries.
- Boil First: I always boil the jicama before air frying to help it cook evenly. Air frying it raw does not work well, so I never skip this step.
- In the Oven: After boiling the jicama, I spread the fries on a baking sheet and bake them at 425 degrees F. I toss them halfway through so they cook evenly and do not stick.
Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 333mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 46IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg