Add some crunchy, baked jicama fries to your next party or summer picnic. They are crisp and light. They are not only tasty but also healthy and pretty darn easy to make. 

Ever heard of Jicama? I hadn’t until my partner suggested I try this recipe. I was a little skeptical at first, but he was right. 

These baked jicama fries are amazing. These fries are a tasty and healthy side dish that goes great with many dinner entrees. And since the recipe features a baked version with the use of onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika, it’s set to become your favorite weeknight side dish that only requires 20 minutes of prep time. 

I’m crazy about snack foods that are easy to prepare in my oven, like my Oven Baked Barbecue Fries, Baked Zucchini Fries, Jamaican Jerked Butternut Squash Fries, Oven Baked Potato Wedges, and my Baked Onion Rings.

Jicama fries recipe is a low-calorie alternative that is great in a vegan, gluten-free, candida diet lifestyle.

I know a lot of people who would love this recipe. Even kids will love this recipe! They especially may love them as a snack or side dish because of the texture that is new to their palates.

So I didn’t want to keep it a secret anymore. That’s why you’re here right now! Are you ready to make some Jicama fries?

Scroll down for the detailed recipe, but I suggest you don’t skip the information included in the blurb.

What Is Jicama?

The main ingredient in these Baked Jicama Fries is jicama.

Pachyrhizus erosus, often known as jicama, Mexican turnip, or Mexican yam bean is a native Mexican vine whose edible tuberous root is the most well-known part of the plant. Jicama is a bean species belonging to the Pachyrhizus genus (Fabaceae). Yam bean is the common name for plants in this genus. The other two cultivated species are Pachyrhizus ahipa and Pachyrhizus tuberosus. It appears that the common names for this category of edible plants have a lot of overlap, with many of the common names having the same or similar meanings.

On fully matured plants, blue or white flowers and pods resembling lima beans are produced. Jicama comes in a variety of species, although P. erosus is the most common.  Jícama de leche and jicama de agua are two cultivated varieties of P. erosus, both named after the consistency of their juice. The leche variety has an elongated root with milky juice, but the agua variety possesses a top-shaped to oblate root but a more watery, transparent juice, and is the favorite market variety.

The outside of the root is papery and yellow, while the interior is creamy white, and crisp, resembling raw potato and pear. It has a sweet and starchy flavor that reminds me of raw green beans or apples.

Jicama is a Mexican and Central American vegetable. It has been found in Peru at archaeological sites reaching back to 3000 BC. The Spanish brought the jicama to Asia in the 17th century. Read More Here.

Nutritional Profile

The nutritional profile of jicama is quite impressive.

Carbohydrates account for the majority of its calories. Protein and fat make up the remaining in little amounts. Raw jicama is high in fiber, 90% water, a good source of potassium. It also has antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, as well as beta-carotene. And it contains a number of other vital vitamins and minerals.

Indeed, one cup contains the nutrients listed below.

• Calories: 49
• Fat: 0 grams
• Cholesterol: 0 grams
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Carbohydrates: 11 grams
• Protein: 1 gram

Jicama also has trace amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin E, riboflavin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and copper.

Jicama offers a number of health benefits, including:

Good Source of Prebiotic

Raw jicama has a sweet flavor because it contains a rich source of soluble fiber oligofructose inulin. It is a prebiotic and an inert carbohydrate that does not turn into simple sugars when broken down by digestion.

This is good news for diabetics, they can eat this sweet root without worrying about their blood sugar fluctuating.

Most of you are so used to hearing about probiotics but have you ever heard about prebiotics?

I first learned about prebiotics over 20 years ago when my professor in college taught me about the benefits of prebiotics and she advocated that prebiotics were better than probiotics.

At that time I honestly didn’t understand a lot of what she was talking about and I didn’t care much as I do today about gut health.

A prebiotic is a plant fiber that stimulates the growth and activity of good bacteria that are already in the colon. This plant fiber is indigestible but provides great health benefits to the body.

For healthy gut bacteria, one should consume 50-55 grams of fiber daily, this fiber is found in plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

These plant fibers like jicama, serve as prebiotics or fuel for healthy bacteria to thrive.

Other Sources of Prebiotics:

1. Dandelion Green
2. Chicory
3. Onions
4. Garlic
5. Asparagus
6. Apple
7. Burdock Root
8. Jerusalem Artichoke
9. Seaweed

Other sources of probiotics are kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha tea, unpasteurized pickles, and vegetables.

Unlike probiotics, prebiotics is not destroyed by heat. Probiotics are live bacteria mostly found in fermented dairy (kefir, yogurt), so they have to be kept alive by keeping them cold.

Note that nowadays there are more available non-dairy yogurts and kefir made from coconut and almond milk.

Prebiotics are beneficial to help diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s disease, Candida Albicans, relieve diarrhea after antibiotic use.

Antioxidant-rich Food

Jicama has a number of antioxidants, which are plant compounds that protect cells from damage.

Jicama contains about half of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C in one cup (130 grams). Vitamin E, selenium, and beta-carotene are all antioxidants found in it.

By scavenging free radicals, antioxidants protect cells against oxidative stress.

Chronic disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline have all been related to oxidative stress.

Improves Digestion

Dietary fiber aids in the bulking up of stools. This aids in its passing through the digestive tract more smoothly.

Consuming one cup (130g) of this root vegetable can help you achieve your daily fiber requirements with its 6.4g of fiber per cup.

Jicama also includes inulin, a type of fiber. If you’re experiencing constipation, inulin can help you bowel motions up to 31% more frequently.

Jicama also contains a lot of water, which might aid with constipation. Jicama and other high-water-content foods can help you achieve your daily fluid requirements.

Cancer-Prevention Potential

Jicama is high in antioxidants C and E, as well as selenium and beta-carotene. Free radicals, which can cause cell damage and cancer, are neutralized by antioxidants.

Jicama also contains a high amount of dietary fiber. More than 6 grams of fiber are found in one cup (130 grams).

Dietary fiber has long been known to protect against colon cancer.

According to a study, dietary fiber intake of over 27 grams per day reduced the incidence of colon cancer by 50%.

Jicama also includes inulin, which is a prebiotic fiber.

Prebiotics may lower cancer risk by raising the number of beneficial bacteria in the stomach, promoting the volume of beneficial short-chain fatty acids, and strengthening the immune system.

Indeed, animal studies have demonstrated that ingesting inulin fiber may help protect against colon cancer.

Inulin is a healthy fiber that also acts as an antioxidant to protect the gut lining.

May Improve Heart Health

Jicama is high in nutrients that help to improve heart health.

It has a lot of soluble dietary fiber, which can help reduce cholesterol levels by prohibiting bile from becoming reabsorbed in your intestines and the liver from producing additional cholesterol.

According to a study of 23 studies, increasing fiber consumption lowers total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Jicama also includes potassium, which relaxes blood arteries and lowers blood pressure.

For instance, one study found that potassium lowered blood pressure and aided in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Additionally, jicama may increase circulation because of its iron and copper content, which are required for the formation of healthy red blood cells.

Weight-Loss Potential

Jicama is a nutrient-rich vegetable. It contains a lot of nutrients but not a lot of calories.

The high water and fiber content of jicama makes it a good snack food.

Jicama’s fiber content may also help you maintain a stable blood sugar level. Fiber delays digestion, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable after eating.

 This vegetable will be a regular on my shopping list!

How To Cook Jicama Fries?

I normally eat jicama raw but this time I wanted to make a baked jicama fries recipe instead.

I didn’t want the strong crunch so I decided to cook the jicama before I baked them. So I brought water to boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat and added jicama to cook for 10 minutes until the jicama is less crunchy.

Then I drained water using a colander and transferred jicama slices into a large bowl. 

I tossed cooked jicama slices with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and sea salt, and placed them in a single layer on a prepared baking sheet. Then I baked them in a preheated oven for 30-45 minutes or until crispy, turning halfway. I served them with vegan ranch dip.

For making the Ranch Dip I place all ingredients in a high-speed blender except parsley and dill, then process until it gets smooth and creamy, pausing the blender and scraping down the sides. I then pour it into a medium bowl and stir in parsley and dill.

Substitutions and Variations

This dish is one of my favorites, and I almost always follow it exactly as instructed.  However, if you want to change it up, here are some hints:

• In place of olive oil, use melted butter. It’s really delectable!
• Spices can be mixed and matched.
• Add another pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning to make them spicy.

Storing Suggestions

The best way to enjoy these fries is to eat them right away. However, if you have any leftover fries, they can be kept in the fridge for up to four days. Simply reheat them in the oven or air fryer and they’re ready to eat.

Recipe Notes

• You can serve them with ketchup, vegan ranch dip, or
• Leave some space among the fries to ensure even baking and crispness.
• If you like, you can also make these fries in an air fryer.
• You can also deep fry these jicama fries.