Crispy Baked Jicama Fries | Best Keto French Fries Recipe

If you are a french fry lover then these keto-friendly Jicama Fries are going to satisfy your cravings! They are easy to make, a healthier alternative, and baked to crispy perfection.

Just because you are living a low carb lifestyle doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your favorite foods. And if french fries are one of your favorites then don’t worry we have a great low carb french fry recipe for you to try.

I know what you’re thinking…“How can something come even close to real french fries made without potatoes?” 

Jicama French Fries are going to change your life! You can now enjoy some low carb fries with your burgers, hot dogs, chicken, sausage, well pretty much anything.

Oh and if you are like my husband Dan you will continue eating these keto fries even after you are completely full…he just can’t help himself with any form of french fries. I hope that you all enjoy this jicama fries recipe as much as we do.

What is Jicama?

Are you wondering what a Jicama is? That’s ok if you are because until a couple of months ago I didn’t know what they were either. 

Jicama is a root vegetable that is very similar to a turnip and is a native to Mexico and also commonly found in Central America.

Jicamas are also known as “Mexican Turnup” or “Mexican Yam”. It’s a climbing plant and actually part of the pea family, but the part we eat is the root. 

When looking at jicama from the outside they look very similar to a russet potato and have the shape of a large onion. But don’t be fooled by the look, the skin is not edible so make sure you peel it first.

Even though the skin isn’t edible, this vegetable can be eaten both raw or cooked and can be used so many different ways. 

Here is a very interesting fact I learned about jicama. Like I said above, this is a root vegetable which means it has leaves that grow above the ground. So not only is the skin not edible but neither are the green leaves. And actually, both the leaves and the skin are toxic. 

Plants obviously can’t run away from any predators and are usually considered “sitting ducks.” But jicama builds up chemicals to keep themselves guarded against being eaten by insects, mice, chipmunks, deer, and pretty much any other animal that would want to ingest it.

And that is one reason why people consider jicamas to be a Superfood. 

Now that we have discussed what jicama is, let’s talk about what jicama tastes like and how to cook jicama.

What Does Jicama Taste Like

So now we know what a jicama is and where it came from, but the real question is what does jicama taste like? Does it taste like a potato? 

The texture of jicama is crisp and crunchy, similar to a potato, apple, or pear. But the taste of jicama is described as a cross between an apple and a water chestnut. It can be eaten raw or cooked and has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. 

Jicama tends to be mild in flavor and will take on flavors of whatever you put it with.

When making keto jicama fries they taste so much like regular fries but make sure you add enough salt and other seasonings to them due to their natural sweetness.

Health Benefits and Carbs in Jicama

There are so many health benefits in jicama and they are jam-packed with tons of nutrients and some refer to this vegetable as a superfood. This root vegetable is low in calories but high in both fiber and water, which makes it a great weight-loss food. 

According to Healthline, there are many good health benefits of adding jicama to your diet but honestly too many to number, but I want to share some with you:   

• Full of Nutrients and Antioxidants: Jicama is very high in fiber and full of important vitamins and minerals. For 1 cup of jicama, it contains 17% of the RDI of fiber for men and 23% of the RDI of fiber for women. It also is a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Folate….and the list continues.
  
• May Help to Boost Heart Health: Jicama contains a high amount of soluble dietary fiber, which can help to lower cholesterol levels and may help prevent bile from being absorbed into your intestines. It also helps the liver from making more cholesterol.
  
  Having an increased amount of soluble dietary fiber in your diet may actually help to decrease your LDL cholesterol which is the “bad” cholesterol that you don’t want to let get too high. Jicama also contains potassium which helps to decrease blood pressure and helps to protect from heart disease.
  
  Some studies also show that those who have an increased amount of jicama in their diet reduced the risk of developing blood clots.
  
• Helps with Digestion and Gut Health: Jicama contains inulin which is a type of fiber. Regular amounts of inulin intake can increase the frequency of bowel movement and can help with constipation. Inulin is also prebiotic and can be used by the bacteria in your body. When your diet has a high amount of prebiotics it will increase the amount of “good” bacteria in your gut and decrease the amount of “bad” bacteria.
  
  Eating foods that have a high amount of prebiotics can help lower the risk of diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and even obesity. Jicama is also high in water, and that can help you to meet your daily fluid needs.

What are Jicama Fries?

Simply put, jicama fries are low carb French fries that are made with jicama instead of potatoes. They are a healthy and delicious alternative to regular french fries. 

Because of their mild taste, and crisp texture anytime you start craving fries, these keto fries are definitely going to be made on a regular basis.

Oh, did I already mention how easy this jicama fries recipe is?? If not…I promise it’s very easy!

Can You Have Fries on Keto?

French fries made from potatoes are a big No-No while on a keto diet. But I didn’t say that other kinds of fries are off-limits. In fact, these jicama fries are a slam dunk while eating low carb! 

I already explained how jicama is a healthy root vegetable but now let me share with you how healthy jicama fries are: 

• For 1 serving of these jicama fries, it’s only 67 CALORIES and 3.9 NET CARBS. 

We “low carb dieters” love to see those kinds of numbers. Especially when you compare it to small french fries from McDonald’s is 220 CALORIES and 26 NET CARBS. 

Now I’m not going to lie to you, McDonald’s fries are good, but they are just way too high in carbs. So the good news is these jicama keto fries are delicious and are 100% guilt-free.

What Ingredients are in Jicama Fries

Jicama – Versatile root vegetable perfect potato replacement. You need a small-medium sized jicama. Peel and slice into long sticks. 

Olive Oil – After the jicama has been boiled, coating the jicama fries in olive oil is key to getting your spices to stick. You can use coconut oil or avocado oil as an alternative. 

Spices – I used a combo of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder. You can easily take any of these spices out if you don’t like them. Keep in mind the chili powder will give it a bit of a kick.

Picking Out the Best Jicama

When going to buy jicama for really any recipe that calls for it, you want to choose the right ones. Pick jicama that is firm, and one with smooth skin. You don’t want to pick one that is cracked or bruised. 

Make sure there are not any soft or wet spots on the skin of the jicama. A little tip to keep in mind, the smaller the jicama the sweeter it will be.

Best Seasonings to Use

To season keto jicama fries you can basically use similar spices as you would for regular french fries or even just oven-roasted potatoes. 

I used a combo of:

• salt
• pepper
• paprika
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• chili powder

Now you can add or subtract any spices based on your liking. I do recommend not skipping the salt though, due to the natural sweetness of the jicama.

I really like the combo of the ones above. Some other spices you can add are Tumeric, Italian Seasoning, or even Nutritional Yeast.

Does Jicama Get Soft When Cooked?

When cooking jicama it definitely takes a while for it to get soft. Unlike potatoes, they don’t get mushy when boiled.

I found that boiling jicama for about 15 minutes works well. Then it can be baked or fried depending on your recipe.

How to Make Keto Jicama Fries

We have discussed what jicama french fries, so now let’s discuss how to cook jicama fries.

This jicama fries recipe is a piece of cake. In order to make jicama french fries follow these directions, they will take about an hour or so to make.

Peeling Jicama

To begin making low carb jicama fries you need to peel the jicama.

It’s a kind of odd shape so you may wonder how to peel it. The outer skin is tough and it can be more difficult to remove it if you don’t know how to. But I will walk you through it. 

With a vegetable peeler – 

1. Take a sharp vegetable peeler and scrape off the outside layers of jicama just as you would a potato or sweet potato. 
2. Be sure to peel off all the stringy parts. 

Without a vegetable peeler – 

1. If you don’t have a vegetable peeler it’s ok. Take a sharp knife and cut the top and bottom off of the jicama to give you a flat surface to work with. 
2. Be careful with the knife, but starting at the top slide the knife under the skin and slowly pull down. 
3. You can continue peeling with the knife, or you can start it using the knife then easily pull the skin off. 
4. Keep repeating until the entire jicama is peeled.

Cutting

Now that the jicama is peeled, it’s ready to be cut. You want to cut them into pieces that look like matchsticks.

Cut the jicama in half, then cut again into half-moons.

Then slice into sticks. You want your keto french fries to look just like regular french fries so try to keep them to that shape.

Boiling

Boiling the jicama first is a step that should NOT be skipped.

Fill a pot of water and sprinkle in some salt. Place on the stove, turn it on high-heat and bring to a boil.

Once the water has begun to boil, add the jicama fries to the water.

Boil for 10-15 minutes. This will help to soften them up a bit before baking them. Don’t worry they won’t be soggy, there will still be a crunch to them.

Drain the jicama and transfer to a bowl.

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Seasoning

In a small bowl combine all your spices and stir together.

Drizzle the olive oil or avocado oil over the jicama fries, and gently toss them.

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Then sprinkle the seasoning mixture and toss again.

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You might find it easier to use a pair of tongs because the jicama will probably still be hot.

Baking Jicama Fries

Now our low carb jicama fries are ready to bake!

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and lay the jicama out evenly on the tray.

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Place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes, then pull them out, and flip them.

Place back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes.

When you take them out they should be nice and crispy outside and perfectly cooked on the inside! Enjoy!

Best Tips for Keto French Fries

Now we know how to prepare jicama french fries. Let’s look for some good tips on how to make keto jicama fries: 

• Use a vegetable peeler or knife to peel the jicama.
• Cut the jicama into thin matchstick slices. It will help them to get crispier in the oven.
• Boiling the jicama first isn’t a suggestion…it’s a MUST DO step that should not be skipped. 
• Because of the natural sweetness of jicama, be sure to add enough salt or other spices to give it a true french fry taste. 
• Place the jicama fries in a single layer on the baking tray, don’t overlap the pieces. 
• Don’t forget your dipping sauces: Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce, Sugar-Free Ketchup, Garlic Aioli, Chipotle Aioli.
• If you choose to add turmeric to your keto fries, keep in mind that turmeric’s beautiful golden color has a tendency to stain everything that it touches including your fingers, and wooden utensils.

Getting them Crispier

Patience is key to getting crispy baked jicama fries. And actually, that applies to regular french fries or roasted potatoes. 

The thinner the jicama fries are the faster they will cook, and keep in mind that you want them soft on the inside but crispy on the outside.

After about 30-40 minutes in the oven, they should be pretty crispy.

However, if these keto french fries are not crispy enough for your liking then go ahead and broil them for about 5 minutes.

Different Variations of Low Carb Fries 

This baked jicama fries recipe is great how it is, but you can definitely take these jicama fries and change them up. 

• Parmesan Truffle Fries – Add some fresh garlic, white truffle oil, and parmesan cheese. 
• Chili Cheese Fries – Make up some low carb chili and add cheddar cheese. 
• Cajun Spicy Fries – Add a few teaspoons of cajun seasoning.
• Loaded Fries – Topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives.

Fried Jicama Fries

Frying the jicama french fries is an alternative to baking them. Keep in mind frying them will make them not quite as healthy but it’s still a veggie so don’t overthink it too much.

Jicama fries do tend to soak up more oil than regular fries, so plan accordingly. 

1. Place olive oil or avocado oil in a frying pan and turn onto medium-high heat.
2. Once the oil is hot enough, place the fries into the oil. To prevent overcrowding, you may need to do them in 2 batches.
3. Cook the fries until golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Can You Make Jicama Fries in an Air Fryer?

Yes, you definitely can make jicama fries in an air fryer, but how do you do it?

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. 
2. Place the low carb jicama fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd them or stack them on top of each other. (You may need to cook them in multiple batches unless you have a large air fryer that has 2 cooking racks).
3. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping them over halfway through to ensure even browning.

Alternatives to Jicama for Keto Fries

If you want to try some other keto fries besides jicama there are some good alternatives that are buzzing around the keto world. Here are a few other options for low carb fries : 

• Zucchini Fries
• Turnip Fries
• Portobello Fries
• Avocado Fries
• Eggplant Fries
• Green Bean Fries 
• Rutabaga Fries

Other Diets This Recipe is Good For

This recipe is good for so many different dietary restrictions and health concerns: 

• Low Carb and Keto: Only 3.9 NET CARBS per serving. 
• Vegetarian and Vegan: Completely free of any animal products, and is perfect for those who are vegetarian and or vegan. 
• Paleo and Whole30: These delicious baked jicama fries are both Paleo and Whole30 compliant. 
• Sugar-Free: There is absolutely no sugar in this recipe. 
• Nut-Free and Coconut-Free: A lot of low carb recipes use almond flour, but this one does not. You don’t need the almond flour to get nice crispy fries. It also doesn’t contain any coconut products. So this is great for those who have nut allergies or a coconut allergy. 
• Egg-Free: If you have an egg allergy, no worries this is perfect for you.
• Dairy-Free: Seeing that this recipe is vegan, you don’t have to worry about it having any dairy in it whatsoever.

What to Serve with Keto Fries? 

What should I serve with these keto jicama fries?? Hmmm…I don’t know, pretty much anything. Honestly, fries go with anything in my opinion, whether they are low carb fries or not. But to help you out, here are some idea:

For starters, you can’t go wrong with eating these low carb fries with a bunless burger or a cheeseburger served on a Keto Fathead Bun. If you are like Dan then add some Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce on top of your burger and more on your plate to dip your fries. 

You can also serve these crispy fries as a side to accompany endless dishes like Gluten-Free Crab Cakes, Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders, Keto Chicken Nuggets, Crispy Keto Fried Chicken.

If you want to go really crazy, who doesn’t love french fries with Low Carb Mozzarella Sticks or Keto Buffalo Wings?! 

I know in this house that sounds really good. And now I’m completely craving some jicama fries and low carb chicken nuggets…MMMMM…

Keto Dipping Sauces

You can’t have low carb jicama fries without sauces to dip them in! That would be just wrong. So the good news is that you can have several different dipping sauces while eating low carb.

• Sugar-Free Ketchup
• Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce
• Garlic Aioli 
• Chipotle Aioli
• Keto Ranch Dressing
• Keto Blue Cheese Dressing

How to Store Jicama Fries 

Jicama fries RARELY have any leftovers to store. I told you that Dan just can’t stop eating them, even when he is completely stuffed.

But when on the off chance we do have leftovers, I just place them in an airtight container and place them in the fridge.

Keto fries will last about 3-4 days.

How to Reheat

One of the many pluses to cooking jicama fries is that they actually taste just as good after a couple of days, unlike regular french fries that really only taste good right out of the oven or the fryer. 

Place them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or put them on a tray and reheat them in the oven at 400 degrees for 5-10 minutes.

Can You Freeze Jicama Fries?

Sure, freezing jicama fries is a great option. Follow all the steps for boiling and seasoning them. Make room in your freezer for the baking tray. Place the seasoned jicama fries on the baking tray then place it in the freezer. 

Once they are completely frozen transfer them to a Ziploc bag and store in the freezer. 

When you are ready to cook them, place them in the oven or air fryer. Because they are frozen, they may need a little while longer to bake. 

More Keto Appetizer Recipes

If you’re in the mood for some other Low Carb Appetizers then try our:

• Keto Buffalo Chicken Wings
• Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Low Carb Mozzarella Sticks
• Low Carb Pepperoni Pizza Dip

They all are Keto-friendly and low carb, and will be a hit at your next party!

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