Yellow Yam Fries

If you do not have a lot of time to prepare a meal but still want to eat something light, then this yellow yam fries recipe is for you. Yellow yam fries are a delicious and healthy snack and are very simple to prepare. 

Cheeseburgers may be the king of fast food, but fries always rise to the top as one of the most beloved side orders. Why? The salty-sweet combination of flavors that go into just the right amount of salt and sweetness is enough to get mouth-watering in any size group.

This is why we’re all so sad when a restaurant serves up a crappy batch that makes us force down our Cheez Whiz in order not to waste it. That’s the reason I always try to bring you unique and delicious Fries recipes – because making delicious home fries isn’t rocket science, and actually only takes about an hour!

Potatoes are amazing, but I also love to make other types of fries out of any and everything. Yellow yam is an old favorite of mine that I eat a lot, as it is popular in Jamaican cuisine, and I have found out that it makes some delicious fries.  

Yellow yam fries are a favorite down south and are savored during the rainy season. These fries are golden and crispy on the outside, and yellow and soft on the inside. The simple combination of flavors gives you more than just a snack! These yellow yam fries are a perfect side to a variety of dishes.

Yellow yam fries are the perfect addition to any fall or winter menu. They are satisfying, tasty, and healthy. Whether you’re hosting dinner for friends or family at home or bringing in a meal from a local food truck, these are sure to be a hit!

This article will tell you more about these fries, as well as how to make them.

If you’re looking for more creative veggie fry ideas, look at my Jamaican Jerk Butternut Squash Fries, Baked Zucchini Fries, Turnip Fries, and Jicama Fries!

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE DETAILED RECIPE, BUT I SUGGEST READING THE COMPLETE ARTICLE FOR USEFUL TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A PERFECT RECIPE EVERY TIME.

• What Is Jamaican Yellow Yam?

  Yellow yam, also known as Jamaican yam or Guinea yam, is a tropical root vegetable that originated in Africa and spread to the Caribbean by way of the slaves.

  It is a part of “ground provisions”, which is usually a pot of various boiled root vegetables and flour dumplings that is traditionally eaten with Jamaican meals.

  They were nutritious and hearty, perfect to be energized to work hard in the fields while being cheap and easy to grow. Yellow yams are even boiled on their own, and the Jamaican yams or the ground provision mixture is eaten with curries, stews, etc. They are also added to most Jamaican soups to make them more filling.

  What is normally known as yams in the US is really sweet potatoes, which are actually a separate plant. Yellow yams are a proper member of the yam family, which tastes similar to potatoes while being a bit starchier.

  This makes the Jamaican yam better to accompany savory and spicy dishes since the flavor is more neutral.  Read More About Yellow Yam.

  Yellow Yam’s Nutritional Profile

  Yellow yam’s nutrition makes it a great side for any meal. It is high in carbs, which are an important nutrient. It is packed with vitamins and minerals, making it an easy and cheap way to acquire these vital nutrients that you may not be able to otherwise.

  Yellow yam provides the following nutrients to the body:

  • Calcium
  • Vitamin C
  • Fiber
  • Potassium, Sodium
  • Protein
  • Starch
  • Sugar
  • Thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), folic acid, & pantothenic acid. These vitamins aid our bodies in converting carbs and fats into energy.
  • Copper

  Yam is classified as a complex carbohydrate food because it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber in addition to the sugar and starch that provide energy. Cooked yam contains 80 to 100 calories and four grams of fiber in four ounces. Yam contains more soluble fiber than insoluble fiber, making it easier to digest and a good choice for young infants.

  Fiber slows the absorption of sugar/glucose into the cells from the blood. Therefore, people with diabetes should eat yams to improve their blood sugar regulation.

  Yellow yams also include vitamin A, which promotes the maintenance of healthy membranes and skin, improves and strengthens night vision, supports bone health, and protects against lung and oral cancers.

  Additionally, yellow yams are high in vitamin C. This helps to strengthen the immune system by protecting it from a variety of bacteria and infections. Additionally, it helps in the rapid healing of wounds and anti-aging.

  Yams are an excellent source of potassium, a mineral necessary for regulating the brain’s nerve activity. A serving of cooked yam contains 816 milligrams of potassium, making it a potassium-rich food. Potassium is required for:

  • Maintain a healthy heart rate.
  • Control your blood pressure.
  • Maintain cellular sodium and potassium levels.

  People who are seeking to reduce or maintain their weight should eat yam as they will feel less hungry. In addition, yam contains a lot of Vitamin B6, which helps produce melanin, which gives hair its color.

  One of my favorite components is copper, which is vital for red blood cell production and iron absorption

• Bring water to boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add yellow yam strips, and cook for about 10 minutes.

• Remove from heat and drain the yam. Pat dry with a clean towel.

• Place them into a bowl, and toss with olive oil to coat. Combine garlic, paprika, and salt, in a small bowl, then cover yam with the mixture.

• Place on a prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown on the edges, turning halfway.

Yellow Yam VS White Yam

I usually cook both yellow yam and white yam in my home, but when it comes to making yam fries, yellow yam is the best for making yam fries is it retains its shape easier when it is cooked. Some white yams, like St. Vincent, Sweet Yam, Renta, and Negro varieties tend to be mushy the longer they cook.  

What Goes In Yellow Yam Fries?

• Yellow Yam
• Olive Oil
• Garlic Powder
• Ground Paprika
• Salt

How To Make Yam Fries?

• Preheat the oven to 400 ℉. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
• Wash and peel the brown skin off of the yellow yam using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler.
• Cut yellow yam into the size you like; I do about ½-inch strips.
• Bring water to boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add yellow yam strips, and cook for about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and drain the yam. Pat dry with a clean towel.
• Place them into a bowl, and toss with olive oil to coat. Combine garlic, paprika, and salt, in a small bowl, then cover yam with the mixture.
• Place on a prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown on the edges, turning halfway.

What To Eat Yams With?

A common choice is with curries, so here are a few of my favorites.

• Cauliflower Curry
• Vegan Curry Chicken
• Tofu Curry
• Jamaican Eggplant Curry
• Okra Curry

Serve these light and healthy homemade fries alongside a crispy Beyond Meat Burger,  Beet Burger, or Black Bean Burger for a delicious meal! 

OR Serve these oven-baked yellow yam fries with:

• Vegan Mayo
• Vegan Cheese Sauce
• Vegan Ranch Dressing Recipe
• Vegan Sour Cream
• Vegan Thousand Island Dressing

Pro Tips

Here are a few more pointers I learned while preparing these fries and I would like to share them with you so that you can get the best results:

• When peeling a yam, you must be very careful. The peeled yam itches a lot if it touches your skin.
• Thinly slice the fries. The ideal thickness for them is ½ inch. To ensure that the fries cook at the same time, try to cut them all to the same rate, and chop them by hand rather than using a mandolin. My experience has been that using a mandolin to cut yam fries results in the fries breaking.
• Line the baking sheet with parchment paper (as I did) to prevent the fries from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Make sure that the fries are laid out in a single layer, without being overlapped. This ensures that they crisp up well and don’t steam.
• Halfway through the cooking time, flip the fries. This guarantees even cooking on all sides.
• You can also substitute olive oil with any other of your favorite or available oil like avocado oil, canola oil, etc.
• You can also deep fry these turnip fries. However, I’ve shared the baking method here. Because baking the fries instead of deep-frying them is always a healthier option.
• Add some dried herbs for a nice flavor click.

Other Yellow Yam Recipes

Since yellow yam is a Jamaican staple, of course, I have other recipes involving this delicious ingredient! Check out these recipes containing Jamaican yam below.

For the Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding, the recipe only calls for Jamaican sweet potato, however, in the notes I do mention that a mixture or substitution with yellow yam is acceptable, and honestly quite common.

• Yellow Yam Stew
• Sweet Potato Pudding
• Yellow Yam Salad
• Jamaican Pumpkin Soup

Some Other Frequently Asked Questions:

What To Do With The Leftover Yellow Yam Fries?

The best way to eat fries is fresh and hot, straight out of the oven, but sometimes you are out of luck.

The next best way to enjoy these delicious treats is coated with a delicious batter (prepared with water and flour), deep-fried, and tossed in your favorite sauces, like Ketchup, Mayo, and Mustard.

But, if you don’t happen to have a deep fryer and batter, fear not. You can still enjoy delicious leftover yams fries by air frying them until crisp again, which is a healthier alternative to deep-frying fries.

How To Store These Fries?

Fully baked yam fries don’t stay well in the refrigerator since they dry out when heated and are soggy over time. However, raw yam sticks that have been frozen will remain edible for a long time.

Toss with oil, salt, and spices. To avoid clumping, freeze everything in one layer first; after that, place it into a Ziploc bag and place it back in the freezer. When you are ready to eat, simply set the frozen yam fries directly on a baking sheet and bake.

Can I Use An Air Fryer Instead Of An Oven?

That is fine! Just air fry the fries at 380F for about 12-14 minutes, or until crispy.

Do Yams Need To Be Soaked?

Yes, it’s essential. Because yellow yams are laden with starch, they must be soaked prior to baking. When you soak them for a couple of hours, some of the starch will be released and it will be washed away with the water. Just be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry them before baking.

Are Yams Jamaican?

During the slave trade, tubers called yams were transported from West Africa to Jamaica. They are a staple food in Jamaican cuisine and are dryer and starchier than potatoes. In Jamaica, up to 18 distinct varieties of yams are grown, although I believe the yellow yam is the most popular.

 Reasons: Why You Like These Yellow Yam Fries?

There are a variety of reasons for liking these fries:

• A novel way to employ a traditional Jamaican ingredient used for nutrition and vigor for generations.
• A great way to use up some of that yam you bought on sale or grabbed from a friend’s farm.
• Yellow Yam Fries is an easy recipe that tastes great.
• They take about an hour to prepare and are excellent dipping food.
• They’re great for a snack but are also deliciously served alongside a meal.
• You can eat these fries guilt-free because they are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• By retaining the skin, you can add more minerals and fiber to your diet.
• Using the oven, you can obtain crispy fries every time with just a teaspoon of oil.
• Highly customizable! You can add your favorite seasonings to make them uniquely yours!
• These yellow yam fries are similar to sweet potatoes and come out perfect every time. For seniors who have problems with their eyesight, these fries can be a treat for them.

Don’t swipe to the next recipe until you try this! Yellow yam fries are a good alternative to your regular French fries, and will surely be a new go-to for snack time. Who knows, perhaps yellow yam fries will become a nationwide sensation!

Take time to sit, dine, and enjoy life together. Make these yellow yam Fries, and let me know how they turn out by leaving a comment on this post! I’d love to hear from you…  Have fun cooking!

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