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If you’ve been looking for a low carb potato replacement, this crispy jicama fries recipe is for you! Potatoes are one of the most popular foods people want to replace when they start a low carb diet. That’s one of the reasons I was so excited to make these air fryer jicama fries. I couldn’t believe how crispy they turned out!
This keto jicama fries recipe makes the perfect low carb French fries replacement. And, you can make them a full meal by turning them into chili cheese fries.
I got my GoWise USA Air Fryer Oven a few months ago, and have been a huge fan ever since. The large size and multiple racks make it ideal for things that need a lot of surface area, like cooking lots of crispy jicama fries at once.
And, the air fryer gets foods much more crispy than simply baking them. I’ve even had better luck getting foods crispy in it than frying, particularly because many keto foods don’t crisp up as much as I’d like when fried.
What Is Jicama?
Jicama is a tuberous root vegetable, native to Mexico and common in Central America. Sometimes it’s called a Mexican yam bean or Mexican potato. It’s a climbing plant and is technically part of the pea family, but the part we eat is the root.
Jicama has a lot of similarities to a potato, but the skin is not edible, it’s sweeter, and has much fewer carbs.
Is Jicama Low Carb and Paleo?
Jicama makes a great low carb potato replacement! It’s a little starchy on the scale of low carb foods, but is still low enough in carbs that it can fit into a low carb or keto lifestyle.
One cup of jicama has 5.1 grams net carbs. It’s also an excellent source of vitamin C.
But is jicama paleo friendly? Yes, it is! Even though the plant does produce beans, the part we are eating is the root, not the bean.
What Are Jicama Fries?
Jicama fries are simply low carb French fries made with jicama instead of potatoes. Being a tuberous root with a neutral taste makes jicama the perfect candidate for this.
How Do Jicama Fries Taste?
Jicama fries taste quite similar to regular fries, if you make them right. There are two key differences to keep in mind.
- Jicama has a crunchy texture when raw. And, it doesn’t cook very well if you just bake it from raw. Because of this, it’s best to boil it first to make it softer and closer to the texture of a potato, then bake (or air fry!) afterward.
- Jicama is lightly sweet in taste. It tastes sweeter than a potato, which can be a little strange for fries. The key is to use enough salt and other seasonings!
How To Prepare Jicama Fries
To begin, cut the jicama fries into sticks. Peel the jicama first, then cut into sticks. A good size is 3 inches long and about 1/4-inch thick.
Cutting Tip: I highly recommend cutting jicama fries very thin, like matchstick fries, because this gives more surface area to get crispy and reduces noticeable sweetness in the end product.
Then, boil the jicama fries for about 12 to 15 minutes, until they are very soft, like a cooked potato. Their color and texture will both change – they’ll look like this when done:
How Much Jicama Do I Need?
When choosing how much jicama fries you need, keep in mind that they will shrink during baking. Fries will shrink in volume by about half!
A cup of jicama is approximately 4.5 ounces, so to get 8 cups, you’ll need about 36 ounces of raw jicama. This will yield 4 cups of crispy jicama fries after they are done.
Seasonings for Jicama Fries
You can use similar seasonings for keto jicama fries that you would for potatoes. But, you need more salt and it’s not recommended to skip seasonings, due to the natural sweet taste of jicama.
I tossed the jicama with olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, and sea salt. (You’ll need some oil even if you are using an air fryer.
After seasoning, you can bake them or air fry them – and I highly recommend air fryer jicama fries over baked ones! They get much more crispy.
How To Make Jicama Fries in an Air Fryer
To make jicama fries in an air fryer, arrange them in a single layer. This is where an air fryer oven is very convenient, because you can use two racks to cook all the fries at once. If you have a regular air fryer rather than an oven, you can use that but might need to do it in batches.
A single layer is important for air circulation.
Place both racks into the air fryer at 400 degrees F, and air fry for about 20 to 25 minutes total. If you are using racks, you’ll need to swap them halfway through to ensure even browning.
Take a look at these crispy jicama fries when they are done:
At this point, you can enjoy the fries as is if you’d like. (Try them with some homemade sugar-free ketchup!) Or, make chili cheese fries like this…
How To Make Jicama Fries Into Chili Cheese Fries
To make chili cheese fries, you’ll just need to add some chili topping, cheese, and green onions to your jicama fries.
You can make an easy low carb chili topping for your keto jicama fries by combining browned ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chiles, chili powder, cumin, ground oregano, garlic powder, and sea salt. This is a simplified, thicker version of my favorite low carb chili recipe.
The chili is pretty quick to cook – takes only about 20 minutes – so you can easily do it while the jicama fries are in the air fryer. It looks like this when it’s done cooking:
Once you have the fries and chili ready, place the fries in a baking dish that will fit into your air fryer, top with chili and cheese, and return to the air fryer for just a couple minutes to melt the cheese.
The low carb chili cheese fries look like this when finished:
Can You Freeze Jicama Fries?
Yes, you can! You should follow all the steps for boiling and seasoning, then arrange in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze this way, then transfer to a freezer bag after they are solid.
When you are ready to make your air fryer jicama fries, you can do that right from frozen. It just might take a little longer, so watch them for doneness.
(You can do the same in the regular oven as well, but an air fryer will do a better job of getting rid of the extra moisture and making them crispy.)
More Ideas For Low Carb Comfort Food
If you like these keto jicama fries, try these other low carb comfort foods:
- Fathead pizza crust – the best keto pizza ever!
- Lazy cabbage roll casserole
- Cheesy cauliflower tots
- Low carb bread recipes – because sandwiches make great comfort food!
Tools To Make Air Fryer Jicama Fries:
Click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- GoWise USA Air Fryer Oven – I love this thing! My favorite part is multiple racks so that I can air fry lots of jicama fries at once.
- GoWise USA Air Fryer – Another option if you don’t want to get the bigger countertop oven.
Reader Favorite Recipes
The recipe card is below! Readers also made these similar recipes after making this one.
RECIPE CARD
Keto Air Fryer Jicama Fries Recipe (Chili Cheese Fries!)
Learn how to make jicama fries in the air fryer! These crispy keto jicama fries are EASY to make. Top them with zesty chili and gooey cheese for a low carb meal.
Ingredients
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Jicama Fries
Keto Chili Topping
Toppings

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GET THE KETO APPInstructions
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Click on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
Jicama Fries
Boil a large pot of water on the stove. Add the jicama fries and boil for 12 to 15 minutes, until no longer crunchy.
When the jicama is not crunchy anymore, remove and pat dry.
Set the air fryer oven to 400 degrees and let it preheat for 2 to 3 minutes. Grease the air fryer racks or basket that you'll be using.
Place the fries into a large bowl along with olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, and sea salt. Toss to coat.
For an air fryer oven:
Transfer the fries to two racks for the air fryer oven, in a single layer. Place both racks into the air fryer. Bake for 10 minutes. Move the top rack to the bottom and the bottom to the top, then bake for 10 to 15 more minutes, until fries are golden brown.
For an air fryer with a basket:
You may need to do 2 batches. Arrange the fries in a single layer in the basket, and bake for 20-25 minutes. Repeat with the 2nd batch.
When fries are done, remove the racks or basket from the air fryer and set the temperature to 400 again.
Keto Chili Topping
Meanwhile, make the beef chili. In a large saucepan or small pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the ground beef. Increase heat to medium high. Cook for about 10 minutes, breaking apart with a spatula, until browned.
Add the remaining chili ingredients to the pan/pot and stir. Cook for 5 minutes, taste, and adjust chili powder to taste (I added an additional 1/2 tbsp).
Cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5 to 10 minutes, or for as long as you want until flavors develop to your liking.
Assembly
Transfer the fries to an 8x8 baking dish, or any small oven safe dish or plate that will fit inside the air fryer oven.
Spoon the chili over the fries. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
Place the dish or plate onto the rack in the middle of the air fryer oven (or just in the center of a regular air fryer) for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese melts. Sprinkle with chopped green onions to serve.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup fries + 1/3 cup chili + 2 tbsp cheese
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Nutrition Information Per Serving
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database. You can find individual ingredient carb counts we use in the Low Carb & Keto Food List. Net carb count excludes fiber, erythritol, and allulose, because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. (Learn about net carbs here.) We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.
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37 Comments
Kevin
We are discovering uses for our air fryer and this recipe is a keeper. We love jimica and this was a nice addition to how we use it.
diana irie
is it possible to freeze Jicama?
Wholesome Yum M
Hi Diana, Yes, but the texture changes when you freeze it. It will become mushier. This may mean that using jicama will be fine in soups and stews, but possibly not as french fries.
Ann Wilson
I’m thoroughly convinced that you could make a boot deliciously keto! Thanks again!
Camilla Iman
Loved this recipe! Easy and even my husband liked it. Will definitely make it again!!
Arianne Leslie
Made these tonight and they’re delicious. Trade Joe’s has them already peeled and chunked for anyone who has one of those amazing stores! I cut them down from what they did but still made it very easy. Only problem with this recipe is not eating every last one of them! Portion control is an issue here. Haha
ANGEL
I made this tonight … not adjusting a thing. I am in love!!! I can have Faux fries now! I love french fries and Jicama is an excellent yummy sub. The quick chilli made me sing and hummm as I ate my faux fries lol. Thank you!
Brad About Town
Could you boil the whole jicama first and then peel and slice it? They’re tough to peel and cut when raw!
Pat
These were really good. Hardest part is peeling the Jicama. Will definitely be making these gain. Also, they do ‘shrink’, so add a little extra to the air fryer. Thank you for this recipe.
Richard A
These were pretty darn good. I had left over carne asada already and topped them with it. I did overcook my first batch, so I’d say make sure to do a check-in your air fryer a few minutes early to make sure they don’t get overdone. But I ate them all the same, haha! Thanks for the recipe!
Mildred
My son calls these fries, his new favorite. High praise indeed. Nice texture that potatoes don’t have.
Heidi
If you microwave the jicama for 3 minutes first, it makes peeling and cutting much easier. These were awesome with aioli.
Tresa Lovejoy
I am going to try this for supper tonight! I wish my air fryer racks were as big as yours
Linda Stevens
Could I use sweet potatoes instead?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Linda, Yes, you can, but they would not be keto if that matters for you.
Kathryn
Yum! I remember eating jicama as a Peace Corps volunteer, but never think to eat it here in the states. Definitely going to try this recipe out!
Deborah
This recipe is delicous! I don’t have a air fryer but just baked the jicama fries in the oven. Perfect keto comfort food. I loved it.
Megan Stevens
These were incredible! I didn’t know you could do this with jicama! Loved it.
Laura Duffy
This recipe might convince me to buy an air fryer. I love jicama and want to try these jicama fries!
Kelly
This is a real crowd pleaser recipe, love it!
Jean
These are AMAZING and so crispy! I think I’ll have to serve it during the Super Bowl coming up!!
Raia Todd
I love jicama, but I’ve never thought of eating it as fries. Yummy!
Renee D Kohley
Oh man they look just SO crispy and amazing! I love this! This very well might be the thing to hop me on the air fryer train!
Joni Gomes
Omg cool recipe!! I’ve bought jicama a couple of times before but only ever had it raw. This looks amazing!
Nicole Dawson
I already love jicama but never thought about baking them in the air fryer. I always eat raw jicama fries! This was a great recipe to change it up!
Jenna
Oh, yum!!! I’ve been interested in making jicama fries ever since I had them on vacation last year. They’re sooo tasty 🙂 Love this recipe!
Sandra
Any hints on cutting into fries? I tried a mandoline and find them VERY difficult to slice. Thanks
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Sandra, I would just use a knife. Cut into thicker sticks, then cut each stick into thinner ones. Some stores also carry pre-cut jicama, that’s the easiest option and you can cut those into thinner sticks to be crispier like the recipe.
Lulu
Can these be done in an oven if you don’t have an air fryer?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Lulu, Yes, but they are more crispy in the air fryer.
Erin Dee
These jicama fries are SO delicious! And that chili topping!! Thank you it was perfect!
Peter
Can these be pan-fried if we don’t have an air fryer/convection oven?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Peter, Yes, that should work (you still need to boil them first), but I find they get most crispy with the air fryer.
Teresa Reid
What can I use instead of jicama? I am in the U.K. have tried swede/turnip, yuck!!! Too soft and wobbly. I wondered if celeriac would work.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Teresa, I haven’t tried it yet but celeriac might work!
Alex
Hi! If I don’t have an air fryer, is there another way to make these?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Alex, You could make them in the oven, but they are crispier in the air fryer.