Snacks, yucca (cassava) chips, salted
Whole food · Snacks
Photo: Wikipedia
Crispy, golden, and deeply satisfying, yucca chips are a starchy, earthy snack with a satisfying crunch that's more robust than a potato chip. Nutritionally, they are a calorie-dense powerhouse, providing substantial energy from carbohydrates and fats, but with a notable fiber content that sets them apart from many other fried snacks.
Calorie split: 1% protein · 54% carbs · 45% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love yucca chips for their unique, slightly nutty flavor and hearty, crunchy texture that holds up better than potato chips. They are a beloved cultural staple in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, often enjoyed as a street food or with a squeeze of lime.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high calorie and fat content from frying can be a concern, and the refined starch may cause blood-sugar spikes. To counteract this, practice portion control (stick to a single serving) and pair them with a protein-rich dip like guacamole or a salsa to slow digestion and add nutrients.
Key benefits
- Good source of dietary fiber for digestive health
- Gluten-free and naturally grain-free
- Rich in energy-dense complex carbohydrates
- Contains essential minerals like potassium and magnesium
- A staple, versatile snack in many tropical cuisines
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Unlike potatoes, cassava (yucca) is a root vegetable that can be harvested year-round in tropical climates, making it a critical food security crop for millions of people worldwide.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 2.8 g |
| Energy | 515 kcal |
| Energy | 2157 kj |
| Protein | 1.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 25.9 g |
| Ash | 2.7 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 69.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.4 g |
| Starch | 62.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 52.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.72 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 46.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 99.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 868 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 296 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.85 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.12 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.28 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 4.9 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.03 mg |
| Niacin | 1.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.89 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.13 mg |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.8 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.07 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.29 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.61 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.42 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.3 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 0.00 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 8.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.20 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 7.4 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.81 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 7.4 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 7.3 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 7.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 6.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 6.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 6.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.15 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.07 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.07 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.08 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.08 g |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, corn-based, extruded, chips, plain — USDA does not publish this profile for Snacks.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.25 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.23 g |
| Leucine | 0.80 g |
| Lysine | 0.18 g |
| Methionine | 0.14 g |
| Cystine | 0.12 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.32 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.27 g |
| Valine | 0.33 g |
| Arginine | 0.33 g |
| Histidine | 0.20 g |
| Alanine | 0.49 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.46 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.27 g |
| Proline | 0.57 g |
| Serine | 0.31 g |
FAQ
Are yucca chips healthier than potato chips?
It depends. Yucca chips are naturally gluten-free and contain more fiber than many potato chips, but they are often fried in oil, making them high in fat and calories. Baked versions can be a healthier alternative.
What does yucca taste like?
Yucca has a mild, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor, similar to a potato but with a denser, starchier texture. When fried, it becomes crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Can I make yucca chips at home?
Yes! Slice peeled yucca root thinly, soak in water to remove excess starch, then bake or fry until crispy. Season with salt, lime, or other spices to taste.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 5.15 kcal/g · 1% calories from protein · 3.7 g fiber · 3.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.34 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.