Crunchy Fried Cassava Chips and How to Make Them

Fried cassava chips are a crunchy, crispy snack packed with flavour and nutrients. Learn how to make your cassava chips with this easy recipe.

Cassava chips are one of the by-products of cassava rising in popularity among people who are gravitating towards gluten-free diets.

In this guide, we will talk about the crunchy yuca chips and show you how to make your own at home using simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps.

Note: Chips from cassava are of two types, dried cassava chips and fried cassava chips. The dried chips are cassava raw material dried either in the sun or with a flash dryer while fried chips are the one, we are talking about here.

What are Fried Cassava Chips?

Fried cassava chips are a snack food made by frying cassava roots also called yuca, mandioca, or manioc. Fried yuca chips are slightly sweet with a crunchy feel of potato chips. Fried cassava chips are not to be confused with yuca or cassava fries and tapioca sticks.

How to Make Fried Cassava Chips/Cassava Chips Recipe

To produce cassava chips, you will need a few simple ingredients and some kitchen tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make your cassava chips at home:

Ingredients

2 large cassava roots
Salt
Vegetable oil for frying
Frying pan or air fryer

Instructions for Fried Cassava Chips

Peeling and Slicing: Peel the cassava roots and cut them into thin slices using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer. Mandoline slicer gets even slices for uniform cooking.

Soaking: To remove the toxic cyanide and excess starch in the sliced yuca chips, soak the slices in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes. This allows those to sip out into the water. Soaking also helps to make the chips crispier when fried.

Freshly sliced manioc chips ready for frying

This step is important as it helps to remove excess starch and makes the chips crispy when fried. Drain the cassava slices and allow them to dry or dab them with a paper towel.

Add Salt: Add salt (optional at this stage). I usually add salt at this stage but some people prefer adding it at the end of the frying.

Heat Oil in a Fryer or Oil Pan: The next step is heating vegetable oil in a fryer, a deep-fried, or in a large port to about 350°F. It’s important to heat the oil before adding the cassava chips.

Add the Cassava Chips to the Boiling Oil: Gently add the cassava chips to the hot oil in batches as the pot can contain them. The chips are thin and should be fried for about 3 to 5 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown.

Retrieve from Frying Pan: To take the chips from the hot oil, use a slotted or basket spoon so that when you scoop the yuca chips, oil can drain out from the spoon. You don’t need to retrieve the chips with oil. Also, place paper towels into a new bowl to place the chips. This is to drain the chips of excess oil.

Crispy and crunchy fried cassava chips ready to be eaten

Add your salt to the fried yuca chips while still hot. However, I like to add salt before frying. This is to have the salt penetrate well into the chips before frying.

Your cassava chips are ready.

Let the chips cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

How to Eat Fried Yuca Chips

You can munch away your crispy fried cassava chips immediately. There is no rule as to how to eat your chips, but it’s enjoyable with spices and salt sprinkled on it.

However, like I mentioned above, I add a little salt to my yuca chips before frying.

Fried Cassava Chips Nutritional Facts

While cassava is a nutritious food when prepared properly, the process of frying can impact its nutritional profile.

Here are things to consider:

Calorie and Macronutrient Content

Fried cassava chips are relatively high in calories, with a 35-gram serving containing around 191 calories.

The majority of these calories come from carbohydrates, as cassava is naturally high in starch.

A 35-gram serving provides approximately 40 grams of carbohydrates. However, the frying process can also increase the fat content, with a 35-gram serving containing around 3 grams of fat.

Vitamin and Mineral Content

Cassava is a good source of several essential vitamins and minerals, but the frying process can diminish some of these nutrients.

A 35-gram serving of fried cassava chips still provides a decent amount of vitamin C, with around 20% of the daily value.

It also contains small amounts of copper, thiamine, folate, vitamin B6, potassium, and magnesium.

Resistant Starch and Fiber

Cassava is relatively high in resistant starch, a type of starch that is not easily digested and has properties similar to dietary fiber.

However, the frying process can reduce the amount of resistant starch in cassava chips.

Additionally, the fiber content of fried cassava chips is relatively low, with only around 2 grams per 35-gram serving.

Potential Concerns with the Fried Cassava Chips

One important consideration with cassava is the presence of cyanogenic glycosides, which can be toxic if the root is not properly prepared.

Proper peeling, soaking, and cooking are essential to remove these compounds and make cassava safe to consume.

While fried cassava chips can be a tasty snack, the frying process can negatively impact their nutritional profile by increasing calories and fat while decreasing beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, resistant starch, and fiber.

Proper processing to remove cyanide is also critical for food safety. Moderation and alternative preparation methods may be advisable

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make the best cassava chips?

Slice fresh cassava into thin, even pieces. Soak in water to remove excess starch. Pat dry thoroughly. Fry in hot oil until golden brown and crispy.

Is fried cassava chips healthy?

Fried cassava chips can be high in calories and fat, but in moderation, they can be a tasty snack. Baking or air-frying can make them a healthier option.

What are the steps in the process of cassava chips?

Peel and slice fresh cassava
Soak slices in water to remove excess starch
Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels (season with salt – optional at this stage)
Fry in hot oil until golden brown and crispy
Season with salt or other desired spices

Is it safe to fry cassava?

Yes, frying cassava is generally safe if done properly. Ensure the cassava is peeled, sliced thinly, and thoroughly dried before frying in hot oil. Proper food safety practices should always be followed.

Final Word from Cassava Pathway

Fried cassava chips are a crunchy, crispy snack made by, washing, peeling, slicing and frying the cassava root.

They are easy to make at home by slicing the peeled cassava into thin pieces, soaking to remove excess starch, and then frying in hot oil until golden brown and crispy.

The resulting chips have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor and make a delicious, gluten-free alternative to potato chips.

Citations:

Chimeremeze Emeh

Chimeremeze Emeh is an agribusiness consultant and entrepreneur with extensive knowledge of the cassava value chain in Africa. He has worked with farmers, processors, and policymakers to enhance efficiency and profitability. Emeh is passionate about using technology to drive sustainable development in the cassava industry. He has authored publications on the cassava value chain and is a sought-after speaker. Emeh founded a successful cassava processing enterprise.