These Taro Fries (Crispy Arbi) are so easy to make, crispy, and delicious. They are a great variation in taste and nutrition to potato french fries. Make them in the air fryer, oven, or stovetop.
Arbi Fry is a popular dish in India. However, as the name suggests, it is fried, which means too much oil. I have posted a recipe for Arbi Fry here.
Now that I have the air fryer, I wanted to try cooking Arbi (Taro) in it without using much oil. And sure enough, it came out great. It does not have the exact same taste as frying it in a whole lot of oil, but trust me, it is very tasty and certainly has fewer calories and less work!
I saw recipes where people first boiled the taro and then air-fried it to get a crispy texture. I like 1-step processes better 🙂 So I decided to try just directly air-frying taro. The result is a yummy appetizer. Enjoy it with a mint chutney and you will get hooked to your air fryer.
Table of Contents
What is Taro?
I know many people have never heard of this vegetable, so here is a little information about taro.
Taro root comes from the taro plant, which is native to Southeast Asia and India and is a staple in diets there as well as in Africa, China, the Caribbean, and Hawaii (heard of poi?). Taro, also called Malanga, is a Cuban staple for starch.
In India, Taro is known by many names – Arbi in North India, Chamadumpa in Andra, and Cheppankizhangu in Tamil.
The plant’s big green leaves and roots can be consumed when cooked. In their raw form, both are toxic.
There are lots of varieties of taro, from small to large and from white-fleshed to purple-flecked ones. I used the smaller white-fleshed variety for this recipe. It is used and prepared much like a potato, as it’s equally starchy and similar in flavor.
Compared to a white potato, it has three times the amount of fiber and is also a rich source of potassium, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Taro fries, anyone?
Taro Nutrition
As a starchy vegetable, the taro root contains more carbs than other types of vegetables. While this might make you think twice about adding taro root to your diet when it comes to carb choice, quality matters. As a source of fiber plus essential vitamins and minerals, taro root makes a healthy carb choice.
Taro is high in Fiber. A 1-cup serving of cooked taro contains 6.7 g of fiber, meeting approximately 25 percent of your daily fiber needs. Cooked taro is also high in vitamin E, with 3.87 mg in a 1-cup serving. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin best known for its antioxidant activity
Taro is high in calories, and every 100 grams contains 112 calories. Not something you want to consume in high quantities if you are trying to lose weight.
If you love roasting veggies in the air fryer, check out this collection for 25+ Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes.
How to Peel & Cut Taro?
The first step is to peel & cut the taro root. Okay, this is the most tedious part of this recipe. I used a peeler to peel. Do not wash the taro after peeling, or else it will get slimy and will be hard to hold or cut it. If needed, you can wipe them clean with a paper towel.
Slice as evenly as you can, similar to french fries. You want to use a sharp knife to make it easier to slice
it. If you are new to taro, it is recommended to wear gloves when peeling or cutting it (remember, they are toxic in raw form. This is not to scare you. I don’t wear gloves and have been eating this vegetable since I was a kid).
Season Taro Fries
Add all the cut taro roots to a bowl and add some oil and spices to it.
Add the spices – salt, red chili, and some turmeric. I also add some chaat masala or dry mango powder to get a tangy flavor. If you don’t have these, add lime or lemon juice.
You can use or skip the spices based on your liking. Just seasoning with salt and pepper also works great with taro fries. Toss to coat evenly.
How to Cook Taro Fries?
I will be showing 3 ways to cook these taro fries – in the air fryer, oven, or deep fried on the stovetop.
All of these methods work and result in perfectly cooked, crispy taro. So, pick based on your convenience.
Air Fryer Method
Place the seasoned taro in the air fryer and cook for 15-17 minutes at 380°F. Toss them halfway through.
Deep Frying Method
Heat oil in a large pan or deep fryer on medium-high flame. You can use any neutral-tasting oil with a high smoking point. Heat the oil to 400F.
Put the cut and seasoned taro in the pan and cook until it is golden and crispy. It will take about 8-10 minutes on medium flame. Keep stirring at regular intervals.
Oven Method
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Transfer the seasoned taro fries to a baking sheet. Make sure to put them in a single layer so they cook evenly.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the fries start turning golden on the outside. Flip them at 15 minutes.
Taro Fries are ready to be enjoyed.
How to Serve?
Serve them as an appetizer with ketchup or cilantro chutney.
They also go well as a side with burgers or pizza.
In India, they are served as a side with lentils and roti/naan.
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer
Air Fryer Plantains
Vegetables
Air Fryer Turnips
Vegetables
Air Fryer Asparagus
Taro Fries (Air Fryer, Oven & Stovetop)
Equipment
Ingredients
Spices (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, adjust to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Turmeric (Haldi powder)
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin (Jeera powder), or Dry Mango powder
Instructions
Peel, Cut and Season
- Peel the taro roots. If needed, wipe them clean with a paper towel. Slice evenly like french fries.
- Place the sliced taro in a bowl. Add oil, salt and spices. Toss to coat evenly.
Air Fryer Method
- Transfer taro to air fryer basket and place in air fryer. Cook for 15-17 minutes on 380°F (190°C). Toss them half way through.
Oven Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Transfer the seasoned taro fries to a baking sheet. Make sure to put them in a single layer, so they cook evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the fries start turning golden on the outside. Flip them at 15 minutes.
Stovetop Method
- Heat oil in a large pan or deep fryer on medium-high flame. You can use any neutral tasting oil with a high smoking point. Heat the oil to 400°F.
- Transfer the cut and seasoned taro to the pan, and cook until it is golden and crispy. It will take about 8-10 minutes on medium flame. Keep stirring at regular intervals.
Serving
- Taro fries are ready. Enjoy with your favorite dip or as a side dish.
I have to say air frying did not work for me. i think not cooking hot enuff. I had a bad reaction as if it were still raw, pain and swelling. spent a few anxious hours in hospital….
Hi Juliet – Sorry to hear that you had to deal with this. It is possible that the taro was cut into thicker fries which did not cook well in the suggested time. My family has been enjoying taro fries made in the air fryer since a long time and never had any issue.
Excellent recipe! Turned out great! I loved it!
Hi Maneesha – So happy to hear that. Thank you for sharing it 🙂
Yay- I made a small batch as my 1st try. I wasn’t sure about the thickness until I read these comments but I’d already completed my fries. They still came out pretty great. I have a different air fryer and would only get me 390 degrees at 15. Although I should’ve aimed for 13 minutes- still came out great! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Jeesica – So happy to hear that. Thank you for sharing it back 🙂
Hey Meeta,
Thanks for your recipe.
Could you tell me what is the brand of the air fryer you used when cooking? You say that the taro fries at 10 minutes, I guess your air fryer cook fast.
Hi Tino – I used the philips air fryer. I do cut the taro very thin similar to french fries, so they cook faster. Hope that helps!
1 year ago I shifted the diet of me and my family in a healthier way. The air fryer helped me to achieve that. I used less oil, but still made delicious food. I never tried Taro Root Fries but I can’t wait to try, It looks delicious.