When delivery isn’t an option, learn how to make Cajun fries at home. These Cajun fries are easy, crispy, flavorful, and PERFECT with homemade ranch sauce. While I love restaurant French fries, I’d argue these spiced fries bring a higher level of satisfaction being that they are homemade!
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Cajun-Style Oven Fries: Bold Flavor, No Deep Fryer Needed
Since the potatoes are baked, not fried, you can control the amount of oil used. Love that Cajun zing? Adjust the spice level to your own taste.
The ranch sauce cuts a cool contrast to these hot-from-your-oven, homemade, spicy fries. They come out crispy and delicious (instead of floppy potato sticks).
I like to serve them as a snack or alongside mains like a pulled pork BBQ sandwich, blackened chicken sandwich or grilled bison burgers.
What are Cajun Fries?
Cajun fries are simply seasoned French fries tossed with a bold blend of Cajun spices. Cajun cuisine comes from Louisiana and is known for having bold, rustic flavors.
Ingredients
- potatoes - You can use either Yukon Gold potatoes (yellow) or russet. Yellow potatoes are my absolute favorite but russet are my second choice for Cajun fries. Large potatoes are preferable for making wedges.
- Cajun spices - These are basically the same spices used to make spicy Cajun blackened chicken, including paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, etc. Here I show you how to make your own blend, but you can also buy it in most grocery stores.
*Check recipe card for full ingredient amounts.
How to Make Cajun Fries
Step 1. Slice the potatoes. Cut the potatoes into wedges.
Step 2. Par-boil the potatoes. Pour boiling water over the potato wedges and let them sit until the water cools a bit, about 20 minutes.
Chef's Note: While I like to make wedges out of the potatoes, you can cut them into thinner sticks if you like, but watch them in the oven because they might be quicker to cook.
Step 3. Mix up the Cajun spices. Meanwhile, mix all spices in a bowl. This will be the Cajun seasoning.
Step 4. Dry the potatoes. Use a clean kitchen towel to dry the potatoes and preheat the oven.
Step 5. Prepare the baking sheet. Cover a large baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking mat. Brush it with canola oil.
Step 6. Season the wedges. Combine the potatoes with some oil and the Cajun seasoning. Mix well.
Chef's Note: I like to season the potatoes before baking, not after. The oil helps the seasoning to stick and they will infuse as they cook. If they aren't salty enough for you after baking, just give them another sprinkle right out of the oven.
Step 7. Bake. Layer the potato wedges onto the baking sheet. Do not overlap or they won't cook evenly! Bake until golden and crispy.
Step 8. Serve. Serve the Cajun fries with ranch sauce.
Joss' Top Tip
Keep a close eye on the fries as they bake—there’s a fine line between perfectly crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside fries and overdone ones with burnt edges!
🔪 Looking to further enhance your cooking skills? Check out...How to Make Toad in the Hole
What to Serve Cajun French Fries With
Now that you know how to make Cajun fries, I'll give you some ideas for what to serve them with:
- Dips: I love these homemade Cajun fries with ranch sauce, but we also like to mix it up once in a while. Feeling saucy? Ketchup (check out how to make homemade ketchup here), honey mustard, mayonnaise, chipotle pepper sauce and garlic aioli are all excellent pairings for the Cajun spice fries.
- Toppings: Add some kimchi to your fries for a spicy flavor boost.
- Mains: Electric skillet hamburgers or fish sticks with sweet mayo would be perfect with a side of these fries! You can bake them at the same time as frozen chicken fingers for a full, quick and easy meal.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, they are spicy from the cayenne pepper, but the spice level can vary. They're usually more flavorful than intensely hot, but with homemade fries you can adjust the heat level to your liking!
The main difference between Cajun fries and French fries is the seasoning. French fries are typically just salted, while Cajun French fries are seasoned with a more flavorful spice blend.
Because they are coated in a Cajun seasoning.
If you do have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat the fries, either lay them out in a single layer on a baking pan and warm up in the oven (400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 minutes).
Or, if you want to get a crispy, crunchy fry crust, heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the fries, letting them crisp on the bottom completely before flipping them to crisp both sides. Remove the fries from the oil and dry on paper towels.
If you tried this 📋 recipe tutorial for 🍟 How to Make Cajun Fries or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
Spicy Cajun Fries
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes - Yukon Gold or russet--cleaned
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon cumin powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt - or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- ranch sauce - for dipping--optional
Instructions
- Cut the potatoes into wedges and place them in a large heat-proof glass bowl. Pour boiling water over the potato wedges and let them sit until the water cools, about 20 minutes.4 large potatoes
- Meanwhile, mix all of the spices in a bowl (this will be the Cajun seasoning). Preheat oven to 450ºF. Drain the potatoes and pat them dry.
- Cover a large baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking mat. Brush it with canola oil.
- In a bowl, combine the potatoes with 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Add the Cajun seasoning and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated in spices.
- Layer the potato wedges onto the baking sheet. Do not overlap.
- Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Flip and bake for about 10-20 more minutes, or until golden and crispy. Keep an eye on them.
- Serve the Cajun fries with ranch sauce.
Equipment
Notes
- Storage: If you do have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating method #1: To reheat the fries, either lay them out in a single layer on a baking pan and warm up in the oven (400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 minutes).
- Reheating method #2: Or, heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the fries, letting them crisp on the bottom completely before flipping them to crisp both sides. Remove the fries from the oil and dry on paper towels.
- Wedges or sticks: While I like to make wedges out of the potatoes, you can cut them into thinner sticks if you like, but watch them in the oven because they might be quicker to cook.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Joss says
These are restaurant quality fries. They are so flavorful and the spice level is just right.