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Across Saint Lucia and the Caribbean, breadfruit isn’t just food-it’s tradition, comfort, and culture on a plate. Fry it into fries and you bring that heritage to a fun, shareable dish that feels both familiar and a little different. Next time you’re craving a snack with an island twist, grab a breadfruit and give these fries a try-you might never go back to regular potatoes.

A white plate with seasoned breadfruit fries and a serving of ketchup, placed on a beige napkin with a breadfruit and a ball in the background.

What is Breadfruit?

Breadfruit is a big, starchy tropical fruit that grows on a tall, leafy tree in the mulberry family. It’s native to the South Pacific but has become a beloved staple across the Caribbean, especially on Saint Lucia, Jamaica and Barbados.

When it’s unripe, breadfruit is firm and starchy, kind of like a potato, which makes it perfect for roasting, boiling, frying, or turning into chips and fries. When it’s ripe, it softens, sweetens, and can be baked into desserts.

Ingredients

Breadfruit – a Caribbean staple packed with fiber, complex carbs, and essential vitamins. Its mild, starchy flavor makes it perfect for turning into fries, chips or mash.
Olive oil – gives a light, healthy crispness. This can be substituted with coconut oil for a rich tropical flavor that pairs beautifully with breadfruit.
Garlic powder – adds savory depth that complements the breadfruit’s mildness.
Paprika – brings warmth and a subtle smokiness. Smoked paprika adds an extra kick.
Salt – enhances the natural flavor and helps balance the spices. A light sprinkle after cooking makes the fries irresistible.
Black pepper – a classic seasoning that lifts the overall flavor.
Dried thyme – a beloved Caribbean herb that gives the fries an earthy, aromatic touch.

How To Prepare Breadfruit for Fries

1. Select the Breadfruit

Choose a breadfruit that’s ripe but firm. It should give slightly to gentle pressure but not be mushy. This helps the fries hold their shape and crisp up nicely.

2. Peel the Breadfruit

Using a sharp knife, cut off the top and bottom of the fruit.
Carefully peel away the green, bumpy skin. Some people use a vegetable peeler, but a knife often works better for breadfruit.

3. Quarter and Core

Cut the peeled breadfruit into quarters.
Remove the hard core from each quarter; this part is fibrous and not pleasant to eat.

4. Slice into Fries

Cut each quarter into fry-shaped sticks, about ½ inch thick.
Try to make the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.

5. Rinse and Dry

Rinse the slices in water to remove excess starch.
Pat dry thoroughly with a towel. Drying is key for achieving crispy fries, especially if air frying.

How to make breadfruit fries

We use an air fryer to make the breadfruit fries but that can be deep fried too.

Two pieces of peeled and cut breadfruit sit on a wooden cutting board, ready to be sliced into breadfruit fries, their white flesh and fibrous core clearly visible.

Peel the breadfruit and cut into quarters. Remove the core.

Sliced raw breadfruit pieces arranged on a wooden cutting board, ready to be made into delicious breadfruit fries, with a glass bowl partially visible in the background.

Cut into fries.

Glass bowl containing seasoned raw breadfruit fries slices on a countertop.

Toss in seasoned olive oil.

Sliced and seasoned root vegetables, including crispy breadfruit fries, arranged on parchment paper in an air fryer basket, ready to be cooked.

Place a single layer in the air fryer and cook.

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Breadfruit Fries

Dry thoroughly. After rinsing, make sure the fries are completely dry. Excess moisture will prevent crisping, especially in the air fryer.
Cut evenly. Try to make all the fries roughly the same size. Uniform pieces cook evenly and brown nicely.
Don’t overcrowd. Whether air frying or deep frying, give each fry space. Crowding the pan traps steam and makes fries soggy.
Use the right oil. Oils with a high smoke point like coconut, avocado, or vegetable oil work best for frying. Olive oil is fine for air frying but may brown faster.
Season while hot. Sprinkle extra salt or spices immediately after cooking so the seasoning sticks.
Shake or flip. If air frying, shake the basket halfway through. If baking, flip the fries halfway to ensure even crisping.
Optional soak. For extra-crispy fries, soak the cut breadfruit in cold water for 30 minutes before drying and seasoning. This helps remove excess starch.

A white plate with seasoned baked breadfruit fries and a serving of ketchup, placed on a beige napkin next to a large green fruit and a decorated blue and white vase.

How to serve

Breadfruit fries are the perfect side dish, snack, or party appetizer. Pair them with tamarind ketchup for a tangy-sweet dip, garlic aioli or spicy mayo for a creamy kick, Caribbean pepper sauce if you like it hot, or a squeeze of lime with a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a zesty finish.

Watch Us Make The Recipe

More Air Fryer Recipes

Use Caribbean ingredients with an air fryer for a tasty dish with these recipes:

Air Fried Plantain

Green Banana Chips

Green Banana Fries