Air Fried Yam Spot in Houston 

Yams are one of the most popular tubers in the world, originating from Asia and Africa. These edible tubers usually have rough brown skin and are much larger than sweet potatoes, commonly called yams by many Americans. 

Traditionally, yams are a culinary staple and are prepared in various forms. You can boil, fry, and roast them before enjoying them with other condiments. However, none of these methods of cooking is healthier than air frying them. 

Air-fried yams or yam fries do not just come with a pack of health benefits but also satisfying to eat. Plus, you can get everyone savoring the crunchy taste of fried yam in no time - it takes just 15 minutes to air fry. 

What Is Air Fried Yam?

Contrary to deep frying yams with a large amount of oil, air frying yams simply means using an air fryer as an alternative. This method is healthier and faster than deep frying while still retaining the same crunchy taste of deep-fried yams if not better.  

So, if you have just gotten an air fryer, you might want to try out some yam fries or keep reading to find out how to get some for yourself in Houston. 

Recipe Ingredients

White yam fries are not so difficult to make, requiring few ingredients. You just need to get your yam, oil, salt, and your sauce. However, this doesn’t stop us from making the list official, does it? 

• 1 large yam (depending on the number of diners) 
• 1 teaspoon of salt 
• 2 teaspoons of oil 
• Sauce (stew, already-made sauce, and other condiments) 
• Garlic pepper seasoning (optional)

How To Prepare Air-Fried Yam? 

As stated earlier, making air-fried yams is easy and not time-consuming. Let’s quickly get down to it. 

• Prepare the Air fryer: Ready your air fryer by preheating it between 160 degrees Celsius and 180 degrees Celsius (320 F and 356 F). We recommend using a yam or chicken air fryer for the best result. 
• Slice the yam: Cut the yam into thin long strips in a bowl. This depends on your choice although we recommend between one-quarter (¼) and one-half (½) thickness. 
• Add Oil and Seasoning: Add oil, salt, and the garlic pepper seasoning. Then, toss the mixture in the bowl until every strip of yam is coated with the oil and seasoning. Note that garlic pepper is optional and salt is enough to maintain original taste. 
• Fry the yams: Fry in the air fryer for at least 10 minutes at about 180 degrees Celcius (356 F).
• Ensure an even fry: You can increase the heat a bit and shake the air fryer basket for an even fry. Also, avoid stacking the basket to ensure the fries are cooked evenly. 
• Repeat the process: Once the first sets are fried, repeat the same process for the other sets until you empty the bowl. 
• Serve with sauce: You can enjoy the yam fries with any sauce of choice. 

Tips and Tricks

If you cannot get African yams, you can also try out some potatoes although the final taste is different. Anyways, to my American friends, yam is yam. You can also consider soaking the yams for a few minutes before frying to make the process easier and faster. 

We will also recommend using olive oil for frying since it is healthier and fry better than conventional vegetable oil. 

Moreover, yam fries are a versatile dish, so you can also prepare your coating with other seasonings. The most important thing is to enjoy the dish as much as possible. 

What To Serve With?

Yam fries go well with pretty much any pepper sauce, especially the African sauces. From the famous Nigerian eggplant sauce, fish stew, and beef sauce to simple sauces in America like fry sauce and steak sauce, you simply cannot get it wrong with yam fries. 

Nutritional Values of White Yam Fries

Air-fried yams are great alternatives to deep-fried yams and their potato counterparts. This is due to the well-known fact that they contain fewer calories and fat with the additional nutrients below: 

• Carbohydrates & Fibres: A typical serving contains about 30-40 grams of carbohydrates and contains about 3-5 grams of fiber.
• Vitamins: Yam fries are high in vitamin A and vitamin C. A serving can provide up to 20-30% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin A and 15-20% of vitamin C.
• Antioxidants: Yam fries contain various antioxidants, including beta-carotene, which may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and protect cells from damage.
• Low in Fat and Calories:  These range around 150-200 calories and 3-5 grams of fat.
• Proteins: Depending on the sauce, they can also be a good source of proteins for the body. 

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