Jicama fries are healthy and delicious. They make a great keto and low carb alternative to starchy French fries.
Jicama fries make a healthy, tasty alternative to French fries or sweet potato fries. My family really likes them, and I feel good about serving them.
The ingredients you’ll need
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty recipe (exact measurements are included in the recipe card below):
- Raw jicama
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Spices: garlic powder and smoked paprika
What does jicama taste like?
The raw vegetable has a mild flavor. It looks like a potato, but it’s crispy, and I would say the taste resembles an apple, but milder.
When cooked it becomes creamier, but it’s still very mild in flavor, so it pretty much takes on the flavor of the seasonings you use.
How to make jicama fries
In this recipe, I start by microwaving the jicama strips to soften them. Then I add healthy olive oil and spices and bake them in a hot oven until tender-crisp.
The detailed instructions are listed in the recipe card below. Here are the basic steps:
- Start by peeling the jicama and cutting it into strips.
- Microwave the strips to make them somewhat tender, then dry.
- Toss them with the olive oil and spices.
- Bake on a wire rack, 45 minutes at 400°F.
Microwaving the fries prior to baking them is optional. But keep in mind that if you don’t microwave them first, the fries retain some of their crunch even when baked for a long time.
I tried both versions, and we all liked the microwaved version better.
How do you make jicama fries crispy?
The challenge is not so much in getting them crispy, as it is to make them tender on the inside. They tend to remain crispy on the inside even after you cook them for a long time.
The method described here, of microwaving them first, then baking, is the best way to get them relatively tender on the inside, and crispy on the outside.
Is jicama a low carb vegetable?
Yes. More accurately, it is low in net carbs, because it is high in fiber. As you can see below in the nutrition info, a serving of this recipe contains 20 grams of carbs, but 11 grams of those are fiber.
So not only is it low in net carbs, but the high fiber content means that those carbs should be absorbed more slowly.
For even lower carb keto fries, try these delicious baked zucchini fries.
What do you eat jicama fries with?
They are very versatile! Think of them as regular fries, and serve them with whatever dish you would serve those with. A few examples:
As for a dipping sauce, you could try unsweetened ketchup, or do as my Dutch dad does and dip them in mayonnaise. 😮
Can you keep leftovers?
Yes. You can keep leftover jicama fries for 3-4 days in a sealed container in the fridge. You can reheat them in the microwave, covered, on 50% power.
Jicama Fries
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (1 lb.) raw jicama
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with foil and fit it with a wire rack.
- Peel the jicama and cut into 1/4-inch-thick fries.
- Place the jicama strips in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of water. Cover, and microwave for 15 minutes, stopping once to gently stir. Remove to paper towels to dry.
- In a large bowl, toss the jicama fries with the olive oil and the spices. Arrange on the wire rack. Bake until browned and tender-crisp, about 45 minutes.
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., has been following a healthy real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She has taken 
