Taro Chips

Growing up in Jamaica, dasheen, as we called taro, was a staple, we ate both the corm and the leaves. Taro/dasheen was added to soups, sweet potato pudding or just boiled alone or with other ground provisions. We had two varieties, one with white pearly flesh and one with cream flesh and purple specks. The leaves were used to make pepperpot soup. 

I’m always in search of simple recipes that are easy to prepare and great for the family, using taro to prepare chips is a great alternative to potato chips. If you love chips, you will also enjoy my Jicama Chips, Low-Calorie Oven Baked Potato Chips, and Vegan Nacho Cheese Doritos.

What is Taro?

Taro is known as dasheen in Jamaica, malanga yautia, eddo and Kalo,  Taro is native to India and southeast Asia but is grown for food in Africa, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and China. it is a root vegetable like a potato.

It has brown skin with a hairy outer coating similar to coconut and creamy flesh with purple specks and lines. It is a tropical plant that is grown for its edible corms, and large leaves, both are eaten cooked and are toxic raw.

Some people are sensitive to the juices from the taro and skin irritation may occur so it is best to wear gloves when handling taro or rinse hands with vinegar. There are also a minority of people that find the cooked taro causes their throat to itch, some people find that soaking the taro in water eliminates that reaction.

Taro can be substituted for potato and is usually prepared as you would a potato, that’s the reason I decided to prepare taro chips. Taro has a deeper, and nuttier flavor than a potato, it has a thick starchy texture when boiled. It can also be fried, or roasted.

Taro has more fiber than potato,  it is high in Vitamin B, C, E, potassium, manganese, and copper (1.).

Taro root can be purchased in the Caribbean supermarket, Asian market, African Market, Health Food Stores, like Whole Foods Market and in the produce aisle of most major supermarkets. 

What Are Taro Chips?

Most people here in the USA are familiar with Terra Chips, its a popular brand of chips that contains a mix of root vegetable chips, including taro chips. I recently traveled to Jamaica and took Jet Blue, they handed out snacks and Terra chips were one of the choices. 

Basically taro chips are thin slices of the taro that are seasoned and baked or fried. 

Taro Chips Ingredients

• Taro
• Olive Oil
• Garlic Powder
• salt

How To Make Taro Chips?

1. Preheat oven 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray, set aside.
2. Peel taro root to remove the brown skin, rinse taro root or soak in water for an hour.  Cut the flesh into thin round slices (1/16 of an inch thick) using a sharp knife or preferably a mandolin.
3. Place the taro slices in a bowl and gently toss with olive oil, add garlic and salt to taste.
4. Spread the taro slices on the baking sheet in a single layer.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are slightly brown and they curl up.
6. Remove baking sheet to a cooling rack and cool completely. Serve with Pinto Bean Dip.

Other Delicious Vegan Snacks To Try

• Air Fryer Kale Chips
• Roasted Edamame
• Turnip Fries
• Vegan Popcorn
• Baked Zucchini Fries
• Air Fryer Jerk Plantain Chips
• Baked Jicama Fries
• Oven-Baked BBQ Potato Chips
• Jamaican Jerk Butternut Fries

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag #healthiersteps  — we love to see your recipes on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!

Also please leave a star rating ;-)

Need some encouragement on your Healthier Steps journey?

Join our Facebook groups, sharing lots of delicious vegan and gluten-free recipes, health tips, etc., from our members. Please join us and invite your friends Gluten-Free and Vegan For Beginners and Vegan Recipes With Love.