Yuca Fritters (Arepitas de Yuca)

Arepitas de yuca or yuca fritters are a popular crispy and savory treat in the Dominican Republic that are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish for any meal!

Let me tell you a little secret. I'm obsessed with yuca. I cook with it a lot and buy it on every single one of my grocery trips. Yuca fritters are my absolute favorite recipe made with yuca. It's my appetizer of choice every single time, and my kids love it. I've made this recipe so often, it is one I have fully mastered over the years. 

I perfected this recipe to the point where I can almost make it with my eyes closed. It’s great as a snack, an appetizer, or even as a side dish for any meal. It is a highly requested side dish whenever I’m expected to bring a dish to any gathering. I’m sure you and everyone in your family will love them too! 

Try my stuffed yuca balls or boiled yuca for more yuca recipes. 

What are arepitas de yuca?

Arepitas de yuca, or yuca fritters, are frequently offered as a side dish to any lunch or dinner meal in the Dominican Republic. They are crunchy yet soft and so tasty.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

If you enjoy simple filling foods that you can eat with your fingers like fries, wings, or empanadas, this is the perfect treat for you. Arepitas de yuca is the perfect dish for a delicious appetizer or a side dish. You can even enjoy it as your main meal if you’re looking for something to satisfy your hunger. It’s also the perfect blend of crunchy and an inner soft interior.

Ingredients 

• Grated yuca - make sure the yuca is washed and peeled prior to grating. You can also get yuca that is already grated. You can find it in the freezer aisle at your local grocery store. 
• Egg - used as a binder for the yuca mixture. 
• Anise seeds - Adds a distinctive licorice flavor. This is a must-have ingredient for authentic Dominican arepitas. However, if you are allergic to it or just don’t like it, you can simply leave it out. 
• Butter - this ensures that the yuca fritters stay soft on the inside while maintaining their crispiness on the outside. 
• Sugar - Sometimes, if the yuca is not fresh, it can have a bit of a bitter taste. Adding a little bit of sugar to the mixture helps balance any bitterness from the yuca. 
• Salt - for flavor.
• Vegetable oil - this is used for frying the arepitas.

How to Make Arepitas de Yuca

Grating the yuca. Grate the yuca using the smallest size of the grater. If you use the larger side of the grater, you’ll end up getting arañitas de yuca instead, which will result in a crispier fritter. 

Preparing the mixture. Combine the yuca, egg, butter, anise seed, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix it all together with a spoon until well combined.

Frying the yuca fritters. Heat up vegetable oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Place about 1 tablespoon of the mixture in the oil, separately. Cook the fritters for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel to remove excess grease.

Serving Suggestions

These delicious yuca fritters can be enjoyed as a side dish or appetizer. Are you serving dinner? Serve it alongside my arroz con maiz (rice with corn) and pollo guisado. You can also try dipping them in my creamy cilantro dressing recipe for a tasty snack. 

Storage Tips

You can store the fritters in a safe sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before they begin to lose their freshness. To reheat, you can put it in the oven at 400 degrees for about 5-8 minutes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yuca?

Yuca is the most commonly used word in Spanish to name the starchy, fibrous, edible root of the cassava plant. The cassava plant is cultivated in tropical regions and its roots are rich in starch and contain a great amount of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C. 

The Yuca can be prepared fried or boiled. It can be made into purees, as a casserole ingredient, or added into stews such as this awesome Sancocho (Caribbean Meats and Vegetables Stew). It can be used as dough for empanadas or even made into flour used for bread, cookies, and cakes. It goes well with any type of meat, eggs, and even cheese, like in these Cheese-Stuffed Yuca Balls. Did I mention you can also add cheese to this recipe for arepitas de yuca?

Where can I buy yuca?

Yuca root can be bought at your local grocery store in the produce section. Be sure not to get it confused with yautia, as both root vegetables look very alike! You can also find it in the freezer aisle, where it’s sold frozen, already peeled and cut into chunks, and also grated. 

How to know if yuca is good?

Cooking with yuca can be a little tricky. Sometimes, if the yuca is not fresh, it can taste a bit bitter after cooking. To check if the yuca is still good, remove the tip to expose the flesh. If the flesh is fully white, then you've got a good yuca. However, the yuca is past its prime if you can see black lines, specks, or discoloration that run throughout.

If you want to know more about this delicious root vegetable, how to peel it, and how to cook it, check out my complete yuca guide. 

Recipe Notes and Tips

• If you’re looking to minimize time, you can prepare the batter and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to two days until you’re ready to fry them.
• You can also add cheese to the fritter mixture to add more flavor and gooiness. I like to add about ¼ cup shredded mild cheddar cheese, but Gouda or mozzarella work great as well. 

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

• Boiled Yuca with Sauté Onions
• Cheese-Stuffed Yuca Balls
• Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup with Yuca