Love healthier fries? Try my zucchini fries, air fryer French fries, and keto French fries. Jicama, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated root vegetables. I can go weeks without finding it at the grocery store, but when I do, you better believe I buy them by the pound! Of course, my first go-to recipe for using jicama is to make jicama French fries. They’re equally as satisfying as regular French fries but much healthier!
Why I love this recipe
It’s so healthy. Jicama is the perfect alternative to potatoes because it’s low in carbohydrates and calories yet super high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. It’s easy to cook. I love eating jicama raw, but honestly, I cook it 99% of the time. It’s so versatile and foolproof that I’m always finding ways to incorporate it into stews, stir-fries, and, of course, French fries! It tastes like the real deal. I’ve made jicama french fries for my friends before, and they never believe me when I say they’re not made with potatoes!
Ingredients needed
Jicama. Peeled and sliced into thin, French fry slices. Olive oil. To cover the fries so they become extra crispy on the outside. Kosher salt and black pepper. To taste. Only a little bit is added prior to baking to ensure the fries don’t dry out from the extra sodium.
How to make oven-baked jicama fries
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Also known as a Mexican turnip, jicama is a root vegetable. When eaten raw, it has a texture similar to pears or apples but slightly starchier. It’s usually sliced thin and added to salads or cut into chunks and used similarly to potatoes. Step 1- Prep work. Preheat the oven to 400F/200C and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Peel and slice the jicama. Step 2- Boil. Fill a large pot with water and place it over the stove on medium heat. Add the sliced jicama and boil for 10-12 minutes. Drain the water and pat dry the jicama with paper towels. Step 3- Season. Place the sliced jicama in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and mix to cover the jicama. Toss with salt and pepper, then transfer them to the prepared baking sheet. Step 4- Bake. Bake the jicama for 35-40 minutes, stopping to flip them several times so all sides cook evenly. Remove them from the oven and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Recipe tips and variations
Cut them evenly so the fries all cook at the same time. Add spices, like onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper, for a spicy kick. For even crispier fries, you can either broil them for 2-3 minutes right before they’re done baking or remove them from the oven a couple of minutes early and fry them in oil until brown and crisp. Use your favorite dipping sauce, or try my spicy mayo, hot honey sauce, big mac sauce, or eel sauce (it doesn’t taste like eel!). Swap the jicama. If I can’t find enough jicama for this recipe, I’ll use turnips or radish instead. If you go this route, skip the boiling step. Freeze them BEFORE you bake them. I’ve found that pre-baked jicama french fries freeze best and cook really well in the oven. Just boil the jicama, dunk them in an ice bath, then dry them on a clean kitchen towel before freezing. When you’re ready to cook them, season them as normal and bake them from frozen.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover fries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Air fryer method: Place the boiled and seasoned jicama in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 400F for 20 minutes, stopping midway through to shake the basket. To freeze: Allow the fries to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Let the frozen fries thaw overnight in the fridge, or add more reheating time. To reheat: I’ve found the best way to reheat leftovers is in the oven at 375F for 8-10 minutes or in the air fryer at 400F for 4-5 minutes.
More addictively savory side dish recipes
Cauliflower casserole Cauliflower mashed potatoes Bacon-wrapped asparagus Sauteed asparagus
Originally published March 2021, updated and republished April 2024.
