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    Home » All recipes » Fried Yam Recipe

    Published: Jun 10, 2022 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Fried Yam Recipe

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This fried yam recipe is easy, quick, and simply the best. In this post, I will teach you how to fry yam that is soft inside, crispy outer, and delicious. We like to serve crispy African yam with fried plantain, pepper sauce, fish, chicken, or beef.

    fried yam in slotted basket.

    Fried Yam Recipe (How To Fry Yam)

    With this fried yam recipe you will learn how to fry yam two ways. These African yam fries are crispy and delicious and about to be your favorite side dish or snack.

    Fried yam is popular street food in African countries like Nigeria, and Ghana. It's usually served with pepper sauce and sometimes with fried plantain, and fish.

    It makes a great side dish, and can also be eaten as snacks.

    With only few ingredients, you can make this tasty dish in no time at all. It is plant based, vegetarian and vegan.

    You don't need heavy equipment to make it. The tools required are kinfe, bowl, and pot. Let me show you how to make it.

    Related: Fried potatoes , Fried Plantain

    displayed with sauce in a small bowl.

    Ingredients

    Yam (African yam, puna yam)

    Vegetable oil

    Salt

    How To Fry Yam

    Slice the yam, peel off the skin, then cut into batons, fries, or dice into cubes.

    Cut into a bowl of cold water to avoid discoloration of the yam if exposed to air.

    cutting the yam displayed.

    Wash then soak the cut yam in cold water for at least 30 minutes. If you don't have time to soak the yam, move to the next step immediately.

    Drain the yam, and season with salt.

    seasoned yam in a bowl.

    Place a deep pot on the stove on medium heat. Add vegetable oil into the pot, and heat.

    oil in a pot.

    When oil is slightly heated, add in the yam, add carefully add some water in bit by bit.

    process shot.

    Fry yam slowly till the inside is tender and the outside crispy.

    Use a slotted spoon to pack the fried yams out of the oil and put on a paper towel covered plate.

    taking them out of the oil.

    Serve and enjoy.

    Boil and Fry Yam Method

    This method involve parboiling the yam before frying. With this method, you don't add water to the oil to fry, and frying is quicker than the other method. Here's how to:

    Slice the yam, peel, and cut into batons or any shape of your choice.

    Rinse the yam, drain and add the yam pieces into a pot.

    Add water to the pot to cover the yam pieces by at least 1 inch, and add salt to it.

    Cover the pot, place the pot on medium heat and boil the yam till it's almost soft but firm.

    Drain the water and leave the yam in colander for 5-10 minutes to cool.

    Put a pot or frying pan on medium heat. Add oil, and heat it.

    When heated, add in the yam and fry till it's crispy outer and fluffy inside. This takes about 6-8 minutes.

    Fried yam in fries basket.

    How Long To Fry Yam

    This depends on the size the yam is cut into, the temperature of the oil, and the method used in frying. If frying without boiling first, how long to fry yam is about 12-15 minutes.

    If pre boiled, it takes 6-8 minutes.

    Yam is fried when the inside is soft and fluffy, and the outer crisp. You can check this by taking a piece of the yam, and cutting into it.

    Also, dry yam will take longer to fry than new yam. Dry yam will benefit from soaking it in water before frying.

    What To Serve With Fried Yam

    Some foods to serve with are:

    Fried plantains

    Pepper sauce

    Grilled fish, Air fryer Tilapia

    Pan fried Steak

    Chicken

    Corned beef stew

    Puff puff

    Akara

    Pan fried vegetables

    displayed with sauce in a small bowl.

    How To Store

    Leave fried yam to cool completely, then put in an airtight container, or Ziploc, label with name and dates then store in the fridge where it will keep well for up to 3 days.

    If you are unlikely to use it within the 3 days, then it's best to store it in the freezer. It will keep well for up to 6 months in the freezer. 

    Reheating: You can reheat from chilled or from frozen in the oven, air fryer, microwave, or refry on the stove top.

    To reheat in the microwave- Put the yam on a microwaveable plate, cover with microwave lid, and air fry at low settings for 1-2 minutes, then on high settings at 30 seconds interval till it's warmed through.

    Tips For Making Fried Yam

    • Be careful when peeling the yam and avoid the peel coming in contact with your skin as this can cause severe itching.
    • Cut the yam into similar sizes so they fry evenly.
    • Cut yam into a bowl of cold water to avoid discoloration of the yam.
    • If you have the time, soak the yams in cold water for 30 minutes or more before frying.
    • Don't overcrowd the pot. If need be, fry in batches.
    • You can add season the yam with spices like onion and garlic powder. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long should you soak yam before frying?

    Soak for at least 30 minutes up to 24 hours.

    How long should yam fry for?

    If preboiled, fry for 6-8 minutes. If frying from raw, fry for 12-15 minutes. Cut into a piece of yam to check for doneness.

    How do you cut yams for frying?

    You can cut it into any shape as long as they are cut into similar size but the most popular shape yams are cut into for fried yam is batons.

    How do you make Nigerian fried yams?

    Follow this recipe and you will get perfectly fried crispy yam with fluffy inside.

    fried yam in slotted basket.

    More Easy Recipes

    Jollof rice

    Pan fried steak

    Fried spaghetti

    Chicken in tomato sauce

    Baked boneless chicken thighs

    I hope you like this fried yam recipe as much as we do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

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    fried yam in slotted basket.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Fried Yam Recipe

    This fried yam recipe is easy, quick, and simply the best. In this post, I will teach you how to fry yam that is soft inside, crispy outer, and delicious. We like to serve crispy African yam with fried plantain, pepper sauce, fish, chicken, or beef.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine: African, International
    Keyword: fried yam, fried yam recipe, how to fry yam
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 150kcal
    Author: Kemi

    Ingredients

    • 1 small African Yam
    • Salt to taste
    • Vegetable oil For frying

    Instructions

    • Slice the yam, peel off the skin, then cut into batons, fries, or dice into cubes.
      Cut into a bowl of cold water to avoid discoloration of the yam if exposed to air.
    • Wash then soak the cut yam in cold water for at least 30 minutes. If you don't have time to soak the yam, move to the next step immediately.
    • Drain the yam, and season with salt.
    • Place a deep pot on the stove on medium heat. Add vegetable oil into the pot, and heat.
      When oil is slightly heated, add in the yam, and carefully add some water in bit by bit. Fry yam slowly till the inside is tender and the outside crispy.
    • Use a slotted spoon to pack the fried yams out of the oil and put them on a paper towel covered plate.
    • Serve yam and enjoy.

    Boil and Fry Method

    • This method involve parboiling the yam before frying. With this method, you don't add water to the oil to fry, and frying is quicker than the other method. Here's how to:
    • Slice the yam, peel, and cut into batons or any shape of your choice.
    • Rinse the yam, drain, and add the yam pieces into a pot.
    • Add water to the pot to cover the yam pieces by at least 1 inch, and add salt to it.
      Cover the pot, place the pot on medium heat and boil the yam till it's almost soft but firm.
    • Drain the water and leave the yam in a colander for 5-10 minutes to cool.
    • Put a pot or frying pan on medium heat. Add oil and heat.
    • When heated, add in the yam and fry till it's crispy outer and fluffy inside.

    Notes

    • Be careful when peeling the yam and avoid the peel coming in contact with your skin as this can cause severe itching.
    • Cut the yam into similar sizes so they fry evenly.
    • Cut yam into a bowl of cold water to avoid discoloration of the yam.
    • If you have the time, soak the yams in cold water for 30 minutes or more before frying.
    • Don't overcrowd the pot. If need be, fry in batches.
    • You can add season the yam with spices like onion and garlic powder.
    How long To Fry Yam
    This depends on the size the yam is cut into, the temperature of the oil, and the method used in frying. If frying without boiling first, how long to fry yam is about 12-15 minutes.
    If pre-boiled, it takes 6-8 minutes.
    Yam is fried when the inside is soft and fluffy, and the outer crisp. You can check this by taking a piece of the yam and cutting into it.
    Also, dry yam will take longer to fry than new yam. Dry yam will benefit from soaking it in water before frying.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 150kcal

    Did you make this recipe? Great! Rate it by clicking the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leaving a comment below. Don't forget to share this post with your friends, families, and also in your favorite Pinterest and Facebook group.

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