Air Fryer Jicama Fries (Crispy, Low-Carb & Keto)

These air fryer jicama fries are golden and crisp outside, tender inside, and seasoned with sweet paprika and garlic. They’re the low-carb fry I make when I want something salty and crunchy without the potatoes. A quick boil first, then 15 to 20 minutes in the air fryer, and you have a keto-friendly side that holds up to any dip.

If you’ve been hunting for a good jicama fries recipe that actually crisps up, the boil is the secret. Raw jicama is full of water, so it steams instead of browning. Softening it first lets the air fryer do its job.

Looking for more low-carb crunch? My Air Fryer Keto Onion Rings use an almond flour and pork rind coating, and these Air Fryer Radish Chips are another great potato-free snack.

What Is Jicama?

Jicama (HEE-ka-ma) is a round root vegetable with thin brown skin and crisp white flesh. Raw, it tastes mildly sweet, somewhere between an apple and a water chestnut. Cooked, it turns tender and soaks up seasoning, which is why air fried jicama makes such a convincing fry.

It’s naturally lower in carbs than potatoes and a good source of fiber and vitamin C, so it fits keto, low-carb, and gluten-free eating.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fried Jicama Fries

• Low-carb and keto-friendly: A fry swap that fits keto and gluten-free diets without tasting like a compromise.
• Crispy outside, tender inside: Boiling first, then air frying at 400°F, gives you real fry texture.
• Five ingredients: Jicama, olive oil, sweet paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
• Easy to customize: Swap the paprika for chili powder, Cajun seasoning, or Parmesan.
• Oven-friendly too: No air fryer? The oven method is below.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Jicama Fries

• Jicama: One small jicama (about 12 ounces), peeled and cut into fry-shaped sticks.
• Olive oil: Helps the fries brown and the seasoning stick. Avocado oil works too.
• Sweet paprika: Adds color and a mild, warm flavor. Use smoked paprika for a deeper taste.
• Garlic powder: Savory depth in every bite.
• Salt: Brings out jicama’s natural sweetness.

Full amounts are in the recipe card below.

How to Cut Jicama Into Fries

1. Peel it. Trim off the top and bottom so the jicama sits flat, then remove the thick brown skin with a sharp knife or sturdy vegetable peeler.
2. Slice into planks. Cut the jicama into rounds or planks about ½ to 1 inch thick.
3. Cut into sticks. Stack a few planks and cut them into ½- to 1-inch jicama sticks. Thinner sticks get crispier; thicker ones eat like steak fries.
4. Keep them even. Same-size sticks cook at the same rate, so you won’t end up with some burnt and some soft.

Trim away any tough or woody spots as you go.

How to Make Air Fryer Jicama Fries

Step 1: Boil the jicama. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the jicama sticks, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until just tender. This is the step that makes air fried jicama fries crispy instead of chewy.

Step 2: Dry and season. Drain well and pat the sticks dry with paper towels. Toss in a large bowl with olive oil, sweet paprika, garlic powder, and salt until evenly coated.

Step 3: Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the fries in a single layer in the basket and air fry for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping or shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp.

Step 4: Serve hot. Jicama fries are best straight out of the basket, with your favorite dipping sauce.

If you’re wondering how to air fry jicama fries in a smaller basket, just cook them in two batches. Crowding traps steam and keeps them soft.

Tips for the Crispiest Air Fried Jicama

• Don’t skip the boil. Raw jicama holds a lot of water; boiling softens it so the outside can brown before the inside dries out.
• Dry them well. Any water left on the surface turns to steam in the basket.
• Single layer only. Give the fries room so hot air reaches every side.
• Flip halfway. Shake the basket or turn the fries with tongs for even color.
• Go a few minutes longer for extra crunch. Air fryers vary, so check at 15 minutes and keep going until they’re as crisp as you like.

Seasoning Ideas and Variations

• Cajun: Swap the paprika for Cajun seasoning and add a pinch of cayenne.
• Chili lime: Toss with chili powder before air frying, then finish with fresh lime juice.
• Garlic Parmesan: Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the fries for the last 2 to 3 minutes.
• Taco spice: Cumin, chili powder, and a little onion powder.
• Air fryer jicama chips: Slice the jicama into thin rounds with a mandoline instead of sticks, toss with oil and salt, and air fry in a single layer, checking often since thin slices cook fast.

How to Make Jicama Fries in the Oven

No air fryer? Boil and season the jicama exactly the same way. Spread the fries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp at the edges. Oven fries take longer and won’t get quite as crunchy, but they’re still delicious.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Jicama Fries

Jicama fries belong anywhere you’d put regular fries. For a low-carb steak night, pair them with a juicy Air Fryer Ribeye Steak or a keto-friendly Air Fryer Flat Iron Steak. Burger night works too: serve them next to Air Fryer Bacon Burgers wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun.

For a lighter weeknight plate, they go great with Air Fryer Butterflied Chicken Breast or Air Fryer Salmon Steaks, plus a green vegetable like Air Fryer Green Beans Almondine.

As a snack, set out a few dips: ranch, guacamole, garlic aioli, or a smoky chipotle mayo all work.

Storing and Reheating

• Store: Let the fries cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Air fry at 375°F for 3 to 5 minutes until hot and crisp again. Skip the microwave, which makes them soft.

Air Fryer Jicama Fries FAQs

How long do you air fry jicama fries? After boiling for 10 to 12 minutes, air fry jicama fries at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway. Thicker sticks need the longer end of that range.

Why do you boil jicama before air frying? Raw jicama is dense and full of water. Boiling softens it so the inside turns tender while the outside crisps. Skip it and the fries stay crunchy-raw in the middle.

Can you air fry jicama without boiling it? You can, but expect a firmer, more radish-like texture rather than a fry. For true fries, boil first.

Are jicama fries keto? Yes. Jicama is much lower in net carbs than potatoes, and this recipe uses only oil and spices, so it fits a keto or low-carb diet.

Can I use frozen jicama? Fresh is best. Frozen jicama releases water as it thaws and won’t crisp well.

What does jicama taste like when cooked? Mild and slightly sweet, similar to a water chestnut, with a texture closer to a sweet potato fry than a russet fry.

What other low-carb fries can I make in the air fryer? Try these crispy Air Fryer Radish Chips or, for a party snack, Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings.