French fries may be your weakness, but wait until you try out a few recipes for jicama fries, the low carb, nutrient-rich snack that dieters are going crazy for.
It’s all well and good that health studies guilt trip us into abandoning French fries because of their fat content, acrylamide-spewing properties or whatever it is this time around, but they should at least give us a decent replacement for our fave fast food. Well, it looks like we’ll just have to find one for ourselves.
If you weren’t convinced by the zucchini alternative for French fries, you might be swayed by a more rootier substitute: jicama. As foreign as it may sound, this Mexican turnip is surprisingly tasty and can be cooked in a variety of ways to hone that perfect French fry texture. We’re not going to lie to you: jicama fries and French fries aren’t identical in flavor, but they’re still a great alternative.
Fortunately, there are lots of wonderful recipes for jicama fries out there that you can fry up for yourself and maybe even manage to wean yourself off the pommes frites for good.
Enjoy!
What Are Jicama Fries?
Jicama fries are derived from the jicama root vegetable, basically a type of turnip. Today, it’s being used as a low carb replacement for potatoes. Don’t get your hopes up too much. They don’t taste exactly like French fries, but they are still delicious: crispy on the inside and juicy all over. Sprinkled with the right spice mix, you have yourself a healthy, guilt-free snack.
Of course, there’s not one set recipe for Jicama fries. Food bloggers are using different methods and ingredients to cook up these babies. Some are frying them with spices and herbs, while others are dousing them in mushroom gravy, and some are whipping up the most delectable dips. The best thing? Most of these are either low carb or vegan and low in calories!
Which jicama recipe is best? There’s not one, but many you can choose from. In just a moment, we’ll take you through our favorites!
Read More: 10 Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipes That’ll Hit the Spot
Does Jicama Taste Like Potatoes?
It looks like a potato, but does it taste like one? Not exactly. Jicama has a slighter sweeter taste than potatoes with hints of nuttiness. In terms of its texture, it’s much like an apple: crisp and crunchy. Like potatoes though, the peel of jicama should be discarded because of its fibrous texture.
But don’t be disappointed.
Zucchini doesn’t take like potato at all and yet, we were told they worked as a great replacement for French fries. Over the years, we’ve been fed a lot of French fry alternative options, which haven’t been that great.
The great thing about jicama is that you’ll love it for its natural goodness.
Can I Eat Jicama Fries on a Keto Diet?
Are you following a keto diet and ever so slightly craving a plate of warm, crispy French fries? Yeah, we’ve all been there. It’s hard not to crave carbs when that’s precisely what you want … you know how we always want what we can’t have ugh.
Luckily, you can eat certain types of fries on a keto diet. Jicama fries are totally compliant! With one serving clocking in at only 3.1 grams of net carbs, you have permission to enjoy a plate of warm, crispy jicama fries.
Now you can finally silence those taste bud complaints, nagging for a carb fix. Your fix can be found in tasty jicama fries.
Are Jicama Fries Good for Weight Loss?
You already know French fries aren’t a good food for weight loss.
Jicama fries, on the other hand, are a delicious alternative, yet have three times fewer calories. Whereas a small serving of French fries shrouds 271 calories, a similar quantity of jicama fries contains only 62 calories. Of course, the number of calories depends on each recipe for jicama fries. There are going to be some that are fattier than others.
On the whole, they’re far better for weight loss than ordinary French fries.
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8 Recipes for Jicama Fries You’ll Definitely Love
Itching to try out some of the recipes for jicama fries? You’re in luck: We’ve rounded up the eight best versions that’ll help introduce you to the wonders of jicama.
We almost mistook these for genuine French fries. That’s how good they look!
Here’s the awesome news: this pick for the best recipes for jicama fries is perfect for all types of diets, including keto and low carb, paleo, nut-free, egg-free vegan. They’re a go-to stable snack for anyone watching their weight or just trying to eat healthier.
High in fiber and packed with nutrients like zinc, calcium, and vitamin E, you are eating your way out of diabetes and heart disease with every little bite of these goodies.
Looking for a fast way to get your French fry fix minus the guilt? This speedy recipe is perfect for busy people who don’t want to be tied to the kitchen. Plus, only 6 simple ingredients go into this root treat: jicama, olive oil, paprika, salt, onion powder, and cayenne. It’s really easy and quick to make and tastes divine!
To top it off, a dose of dairy-free ranch dressing is the secret to extra goodness!
The most unusual thing about this recipe for jicama fries is that the jicama is fried in avocado oil, instead of olive oil. This might leave you dubious …. Avocado oil? But fear not, your fries won’t taste like avocado. It’s actually the avocado oil that gives these jicama fries their unique taste. That, along with the slew of herbs and spices: parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
You can either bake them or broil them depending on the texture you’re seeking: crispy or crispier. Either way, they’re delightful!
Now things are getting even more interesting. Erm, you have something at the corner of your mouth by the way. Is that? Yep, it’s saliva. Our mouths are watering too, don’t worry!
These spicy baked jicama fries are more Indian-inspired, with a cumin kick and yogurt side dip. As insignificant as that half a teaspoon of cumin may seem, the flavor it injects in the fries is unbelievable! It just gives them a whole new taste. Dipped into that citrusy dip, your taste buds will be on fire!
We bet you’re still getting your head around the concept of “raw” fries.
Yep, we were pretty surprised too. Believe it or not, they can be just as good without the use of an oven or broiler. Even better, you only need a handful of ingredients to make them: jicama, coconut oil, nutritional yeast, green onions, and chili powder. Simple!
The secret lies in letting the raw fries marinate in the fridge for an hour. This way, all those wonderful flavors will penetrate better.
It takes a few more minutes and ingredients to prepare this version of jicama fries. But it’ll be worth it … oh so worth it. Excellent for keto dieters, it’s a perfect side for your low-carb burger. And that keto gravy, made with butter, beef broth, heavy cream, and sliced mushrooms just sets off the whole thing.
Jicama fries drowned with mushroom gravy aren’t going to be everybody’s thing, but if you fancy a change from the conventional fries we’ve seen on here so far, do give this one a try.
Of all the recipes for jicama fries that we’ve seen so far, this one has got to be the most sophisticated. Ideal for vegans, one serving of these beauties contains only 96 calories. It works as a great appetizer and something you can whip up for your friends. They’ll LOVE you!
To be honest, it’s that vegan cashew ranch dip that ignites the flavors of these fries. Cashews, lemon juice, and a few herbs blended together create a spellbinding savor that compliments the jicama fries perfectly.
At just over 100 calories per serving, these are a little more calorie-heavy than the other recipes for jicama fries we’ve featured, but they taste amazing! Crispy with a zesty tang of chili and gooey cheese on top, you’ll want to make these again and again. Your taste buds will be going wild.
Owing to their air frying cooking method, these jicama fries are closer in taste and texture to French fries than any other recipe on here. Yep, we’re saving the best till last. Combined with that keto chili topping, these are definitely comparable to the chili cheese fries you know and love.
It seems impossible for a nutritious and low-carb snack to taste so good, but believe us when we say these jicama fries could really make you ditch the French fries for good. No joke!