Peruvian-Inspired Fried Yams with Huancaína Sauce
11 August 2025
Discover the taste of Peru with this vibrant dish featuring fried yams topped with creamy, spicy Huancaína sauce. Inspired by the traditional Peruvian flavours, this version pairs the natural sweetness of yams with the rich, cheesy heat of ají amarillo. Perfect as a side or light main, it’s a celebration of crop diversity and culinary heritage.
Ingredients
- 3 medium yams or sweet potatoes
- 120 ml ají amarillo paste
- 30 ml vegetable oil (plus extra for frying)
- 240 ml evaporated milk
- 6 saltine crackers
- 225 g queso fresco (fresh white cheese)
- Salt, to taste
- Micro cilantro, for garnish
- Black olives, thinly sliced lengthwise, for garnish
Method
-
Prep the Yams
Peel and slice the yams into 1 cm thick rounds. Place them in water immediately to prevent browning. -
Fry the Yams
Drain and pat dry. Heat vegetable oil over low heat and fry the yam slices until golden and tender. Transfer to paper towels and season with salt. -
Make the Huancaína Sauce
In a blender, combine ají amarillo paste, 30 ml vegetable oil, evaporated milk, saltine crackers and queso fresco. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt to taste. -
Assemble the Dish
Arrange fried yams on a serving plate. Drizzle generously with Huancaína sauce. Garnish with crumbled queso fresco, micro cilantro, and black olive slices.
Serve warm as a starter, side dish, or vegetarian main. Pairs beautifully with quinoa, grilled vegetables or a fresh salad.
Number of servings: 4
Fun fact:
Yam is a vital root crop in Africa, across Southeast Asia, the Pacific and tropical Americas. Yams range in size from small tubers to over 50 kilos, with species like white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) and water yam (Dioscorea alata) being the most widely cultivated. Yams are valued for long storage life, providing a crucial food source between growing seasons. Some species, like bitter yams, are consumed during food scarcity.
Scientists at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) are using next generation sequencing methods to assess the genetic diversity of yams and to identify important traits that could be useful for improving these clonal crops. IITA’s genebank houses almost half of the world’s yam diversity. The Crop Trust is proud to collaborate with IITA in enhancing global cryopreservation.
Category: Yam