Homemade Cajun Fries

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A batch of homemade cajun fries are just the ticket to satisfy that crispy, potato craving. With steps to prepare homemade french fries fried, baked, or even from frozen; and a quick and easy cajun seasoning, bring those gourmet diner fries home anytime you like. 

a basket of cajun fries with aioli

Oh homemade fries how I crave you! A batch of homemade french fries, deep fried to crispy golden perfection, is one of my ultimate cravings. Toss those in a ridiculously easy homemade cajun seasoning, and my favorite burger bar just popped up in my home kitchen. 

Homemade fries are actually a lot easier to make than you may think! Once you have your potatoes cooking and crisping, making them into cajun fries is as easy as tossing on the seasoning. Served alongside some Alabama white sauce chicken, bacon jam burgers, or a crunchwrap supreme burger and you’ll be craving these just like I do. 

The Best Potatoes and Oil

Before we get into the cooking and seasoning, successful homemade french fries start with the right potato. There are SO many options to choose from when it comes to potatoes, it can be hard to know what to choose!

russet potatoes sliced on a cutting board

For french fries I have always found that regardless of frying or baking, I prefer a high starch potato like Russet or Idaho varieties. These are the potatoes that get fluffy and light when cooked, and that makes for the best french fry bite. 

When choosing your oil, go for a high heat oil with neutral flavor, like canola, vegetable, or grapeseed to avoid burning the oil and leaving your oils with a rancid flavor.

Want to make cajun fries and only have a bag of frozen fries in the freezer? Go for it! The homemade seasoning is easy to sprinkle on whatever makes your heart happy!

Pro Tip: Wondering how much to buy? I estimate one medium potato per person for a generous, you won’t have to share, serving. 

How to Fry Cajun Fries

With spuds in hand, onto the cooking. There are many ways to make them, my preference is of course, frying them!

a plate of fried cajun fries with ketchup

To successfully deep fry your cajun fries, you’ll need to follow these simple steps. 

  • Heat your oil to 325°F in a deep, heavy bottomed pan.
  • Slice your potatoes into even flat slices on it’s long edge. Aim for between ½ and 1 inch thick. Slice each plank into sticks. 
  • When your oil is hot, drop your fries in carefully for 2 to 3 minutes, using a spider strainer or tongs to gently move them in the oil and prevent sticking. 
  • Remove from the oil to a paper towel lined baking sheet or plate and heat the oil to 375°F. 
  • When the oil is hot again, gently return your fries to the oil and cook until golden brown and crispy. 

Once your fries are cooked, simply blot and season, then enjoy! You may find that when you’re working with more than 1 or 2 potatoes that it’s best to work in batches. Frying too large a batch at once can drop your oil temperature too quickly and lead to oily, greasy fries. 

Pro Tip: To keep homemade cajun fries crispy while you fry a second batch, preheat your oven to 200°F before you start frying. Place a large baking sheet in the oven and when you’ve seasoned your fries, place them on the baking sheet in an even layer. The low temperature oven will keep them hot and crisp until you’re ready to serve. 

Want all the tips to the BEST fried french fries? Make sure you check out my twice fried french fries post that makes perfecting your fry game easy!

a cajun fry being dipped into aioli

How to Bake Cajun Fries

If deep frying isn’t for you, making oven baked cajun fries is just as tasty. The process is very simple, though it takes a bit longer to arrive at crispy fry perfection. But, just follow these key steps and you’re sure to have crispy cajun fries in just over an hour!

  1. Cut your potatoes into your desired fry shape. Immerse all your cut potatoes in a large bowl of very cold water and let them soak for 30 minutes. 
  2. Preheat your oven to 375°F
  3. Remove the fries from the water and blot them dry very thoroughly. 
  4. Place on a parchment or silicone mat lined baking sheet in a single layer. 
  5. Oil liberally, so the fries are coated completely, and toss with cajun seasoning. 
  6. Bake for 20 minutes then crank the temp up to 450°F and bake until they are the desired crispiness. 

You’ll find that tossing and mixing the fries every 10 minutes allows more even browning. 

Quick and Easy Homemade Cajun Seasoning

This is super easy to make at home with just 7 very common pantry spices, but there are also some delicious cajun seasoning spice mixes you can buy. I find making it myself is cheaper, and since a spice mix will last in your cupboard for several months, prepping in bulk is a great idea!

  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Black Pepper
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Dried Oregano
  • Kosher Salt
  • Cayenne Pepper
a bowl of fries tossed with cajun seasoning

For me this blend creates a delicious blend of salty, spicy, and smoky. Finding smoked paprika is pretty key, so definitely get it if at all possible. If not, you can use a standard sweet paprika, but may find you want to increase the spice.

Cayenne is also optional and adjustable. When I made these for my son, I added just a tiny pinch, for my husband and I, we added much more to enjoy the kick of cajun flavor. 

Pro Tip: I use kosher salt almost exclusively, and table salt is saltier per volume. If using table salt, reduce the salt by one third. For long term storage, I recommend blitzing your spice blend in a spice grinder for consistent, even mixing. 

Questions

Can I make these In my air fryer?

Sure! Just follow the instructions for your model to cook the french fries, then season and enjoy!

Can leftover fries be reheated?

Absolutely. They never quite recover that freshly fried or baked texture, but you can reheat fries in a pan, the oven, or a toaster oven. 

Combine with a little oil in a preheated saute pan until crispy if you choose that method. Be careful, the cajun seasoning, if already on the fries, can burn. 

For the toaster oven or conventional oven, simply lay on the baking sheet with a very light coating of oil, and bake at 375°F until warm and crispy. I also often use the ‘toast’ cycle on my toaster oven, and it works just as well!

Whether the fries or the cajun seasoning brought you here…I have more suggestions for recipes to love!

a basket of cajun fries with aioli

Cajun Fries

Mikayla M.
Crispy, spicy, and smoky fried french fries in a quick and easy cajun seasoning are just the ticket to satisfy that gourmet fry craving!
5 from 12 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 546 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large russet potatoes
  • 2 quarts cooking oil 8 cups*
  • 3/4 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoons onion powder
  • 3/4 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper double for more spice

Instructions
 

  • Place cooking oil in a deep, heavy bottomed pot over medium high heat and bring up to 325°F. 
  • Preheat your oven to 200°F and place a baking sheet on the middle rack.
  • Wash and cut your potatoes into 1 inch sticks. Prep a plate or second baking sheet with a cooling rack set on top, near your oil pan.
  • When oil is up to temperature, carefully drop in half the french fries. Gently stir and allow to fry for 2 to 3 minutes.*
  • Remove from oil with a spider strainer or tongs and lay them on the cooling rack set over the baking sheet in a single layer. 
  • Cook the second batch of fries when oil returns to 325°F
  • When fries have been fried once, bring oil temperature up to 375°F. 
  • Drop the first batch of fries into the oil carefully, and stir occasionally until the fries are crispy and golden brown, usually 2 to 3 minutes. 
  • Remove from oil to a bowl lined with paper towels. Toss gently to remove excess oil, then remove the paper towel. Add in spice blend and toss. 
  • Place seasoned cajun fries on a baking sheet in the oven and fry your second batch of fries. Repeat blotting and seasoning, then serve all the fries when ready.

Notes

*If making larger or smaller fries than 1 inch sticks, you may need to increase or reduce your cooking time to adjust for fry thickness. 
This recipe makes the spice blend amount needed for 4 potatoes of fries. Increase if wishing to make cajun seasoning to store. 

Nutrition

Calories: 546kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 8gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 746mgPotassium: 1572mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 284IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Nutrition information and cooking times are provided as a best estimate. Values may vary based upon ingredients and equipment.

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16 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Cajun spice is one of my all-time favorite blends! I used thyme because I didn’t have oregano. These were so good!

  2. 5 stars
    I am so excited to make these fries, they look perfect! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, I am about to make it tomorrow with dinner 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    I made these cajun fries in the oven as I’m not a fan of deep frying! They were so good. Going to be a regular treat in my house! What’s the dip you have in the photo?

  4. 5 stars
    We served these delicious fries alongside burgers and they were absolutely the star of the show. The spice blend is so good an very tasty!

    1. Alexandra, wonderful to hear. My husband like to layer a few fries on his burger and well as on the side!