by: Franchesca Livraghi | @breakthrukitchen

Malanga fritters are a simple but irresistible appetizer that are prepared using malanga, eggs, Loisa's Recaito, Sea Salt, and Ground Black Pepper. The final result is a delicious fritter that is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside - and not to mention flavorful! This recipe is so quick and easy that you can make them in under 30 minutes. 

Malanga, also known as yautia, is a root vegetable that is used a lot in the Caribbean and Latin America. Root vegetables, like malanga, have been dietary staples in these regions for centuries - cherished for their nutritional value and adaptability. Similar vegetables like yuca, plantain, and taro are commonly used to make comparable dishes like apreitas de yuca and bunuelos de yuca.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Ready in under 30 minutes. These fritters are a great appetizer choice if you’re hosting familia or going to a potluck. No matter what the occasion is, they are sure to impress with their simplicity and delicious taste.
• Minimal ingredients. With minimal preparation you can make flavorful fritters ready to enjoy in no time. I like to use this recipe for a snack or side dish.
• Healthy choice. Malanga fritters offer more than just flavor - they're good for your salud too! Malanga has tons of essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making it a nutritious choice.

Adding Loisa's Recaito to the malanga fritters

Incorporating Recaito into the fritter mixture isn't typical, but it absolutely should be. Loisa's Recaito bursts with flavor from its fresh herbs and vegetables, like culantro and garlic. Just a tablespoon elevates any dish with so much sabor!

While malanga fritters traditionally include chopped herbs and minced garlic, adding Recaito removes one extra step as it already contains everything you need for an irresistible flavor boost to these fritters. Trust me, this is a must!

Recipe tips and tricks

• Grate the malanga according to your preference. I used a microplane to get the yautia super fine, creating a paste almost. This is my favorite way to make these because it's almost like a nugget! You could also use a traditional box grater, making sure you’re using the side that grates finer, to achieve this result. Or, you can use the thicker side of the box grater and get more texture. This is totally up to personal preference, so feel free to try both methods and stick with your favorite!
• Don’t cook them all at once. When making malanga fritters, it's essential to avoid overcrowding the frying pan. Frying the fritters in batches will guarantee that each one has enough space to cook evenly and get a crispy exterior. Overcrowding the pan can cause the temperature of the oil to drop too much, which will create soggy fritters instead of crispy ones. 
• Drain the fritters super well after frying them. If you don't, the fritters won’t stay crispy and they can become greasy. After transferring the fritters to a plate lined with paper towels, gently pat the fritters on top to blot away any remaining oil. Be careful not to press too hard. Let the fritters rest on the paper towels for a minute or two and then transfer them to a serving plate.

Serving tips

• Give it a little extra freshness with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro or parsley over the fritters just before serving.
• Serve immediately after frying! Malanga fritters are best enjoyed warm.
• Malanga fritters are so good when you pair them with a delicious dipping sauce! You can mix mayonnaise with a bit of Loisa’s Recaito used in this recipe and create a seriously addicting dipping sauce for these malanga fritters. 

Common questions

What is the difference between yautia lila, white yautia, and malanga?

Yautia lila, yautia white, and malanga are all different types of the same root vegetable. They look slightly different in color but they're very similar in taste and can be used interchangeably in recipes like fritters without much difference in flavor. So if you only have access to one or the other, any option will work in this recipe.

Can I air fry them?

Yes, you can air fry these malanga fritters. You will have to preheat your air fryer to 375°F, lightly grease the basket, follow the instructions for the fritter mixture, arrange in the basket, drizzle oil over the fritters, and air fry for 10-15 minutes. You will need to flip halfway through, add another drizzle of oil and continue cooking until golden brown and crispy. Let them cool before garnishing and serving.

How do I shape the fritters?

Shape the fritters using two spoons by taking a spoonful of the malanga fritter mixture with one spoon and shaping it into rounded forms using the other spoon. Once you have it shaped, immediately transfer it to the frying pan or air fryer for cooking. Repeat this process, shaping and frying the fritters one at a time, until all the mixture is used.