Cajun Fries (French Fry Seasoning Recipe)
Cajun French Fries – Our favorite recipe for smoky and zesty Cajun French fry seasoning, plus easy steps and tips for how to make the best spicy potato fries at home from scratch!
You know it is going to be a delightfully casual and fun meal when a basket of fries is on the table. Crisp on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, a bit salty and wholly delicious… Everyone agrees that there is just nothing quite like biting into a warm fry!
French fries are beloved by all, and are a winning anytime snack or side. And if you want a dish that will really get everyone cheering, a plate of freshly fried homemade potato fries is sure to impress!
We love to fry them at home (or bake them) and sprinkle with the most alluring French Fry Cajun Seasoning that rivals any of your favorite burger joint fries.
The Best Cajun French Fry Seasoning
Cajun fry seasoning is a blend of key but simple spices, many of which you likely already have in your kitchen. The combination of smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning is bold, smoky, and slightly spicy. It has a bit of intriguing heat without a vibrant burn, so even kids and folks who aren’t crazy about spiciness with love every bite!
Here you will find steps to make a generous amount to season up to 5 pounds of seasoned fries. Admittedly, 5 pounds of potatoes makes a lot of French fries. However, I always feel if you are going to go to the trouble of deep-frying, make it count! You can half this recipe if desired, and keep the remaining spice blend on hand for your next fry craving. Or use it to dust other dishes to give them zesty Cajun flavor.
Ingredients You Need
For the Fry Seasoning:
- Salt
- Smoked paprika
- Italian seasoning – try our homemade Italian seasoning blend
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Ground black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
To Make the Cajun Fries:
- Russet potatoes
- Fry oil – canola or peanut
How to Make Cajun Fries
First, set out a large bowl of ice water. Cut the potatoes into long strips 1/3 to 1/2 inch wide. You can leave the peel on the potatoes to add a little texture to the sides if you like.
Once each potato is cut into fries, submerge the potato strips in the ice water. Soak the fries in cold water for at least one hour, but the longer the better. You can even soak them overnight for extra crispy fries.
Why soak potatoes before making French fries? Pulling the excess starches out of the potatoes with cold water gives the fries the best crispy on the outside, soft in the middle texture. So don’t skip this step!
Meanwhile set out a small bowl. Measure and combine all the ingredients for the French fry seasoning.
Mix well.
When ready to fry, remove the potato strips from the cold water. Lay them out flat on paper towels and pat dry. They need to be well-dried before going in the oil to avoid splatter.
Now set a large saucepot on the stovetop. Add 2 quarts of fry oil to the pot, and attach a cooking thermometer to the side of the pot.
Turn the heat to medium and wait for the fry oil to reach 310° F.
Get the Complete (Printable) Cajun French Fry Seasoning Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Set a large rimmed baking sheet to the side of the pot lined with paper towels to hold the fries.
Once the oil is hot, use a skimmer to lower 1 to 2 portions of fries down into the frying oil. Stir well and fry for 4 to 6 minutes until golden brown.
Use the skimmer to move the fries to the holding tray. Immediately sprinkle with fry seasoning and shake to coat.
Repeat with several more small batches. Adjust the temperature as needed to keep the oil around 300°F.
Pro Tip: You can place the tray of fries in a 200°F oven to keep warm if desired.
How to Bake French Fries
For baked fries, preheat the oven to 425°F and lay out several large rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle each sheet with 1/4 cup of oil, add the potato fries and toss well to coat, then spread the fries out in a single layer.
Bake for 20 minutes. Flip the fries, then bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with French fry seasoning while hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Enjoy hot fries with ketchup, southern comeback sauce, magic aioli sauce, or keep things Cajun with a homemade remoulade sauce.
Absolutely! As-is this recipe makes 5 pounds of potatoes, which is roughly 12 generous servings. Halve the ingredients to make 6 portions. Or double for a big crowd – but remember to still fry in small batches.
Fries always taste best when enjoyed freshly made and warm. However, leftovers will keep well for a few days. Let them cool completely before transferring to a sealed container, and keep them in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
They can be reheated in the oven, deep fryer, or air fryer. Bake hot in a 425°F oven for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway through cook time. To deep-fry, bring 2 quarts of oil to 300°F and re-fry for just a few minutes. To air fry, set the fryer to 375°F and cook the French fries for 3-5 minutes.
Looking For More Delicious Sides and Snacks? Be Sure To Also Try These Recipes:
- Harissa Baked French Fries
- Baked Turnip Fries
- Baked Crispy Polenta Fries
- Oven Baked “Fried” Pickles
- Cajun Boiled Peanuts (3 Ways!)
Cajun Fries (Cajun French Fry Seasoning)
Ingredients
French Fry Seasoning –
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Cajun Fries –
- 5 pounds russet potatoes
- 2 quarts fry oil canola or peanut oil
Instructions
- Set out a large bowl of ice water. Cut the potatoes into long strips 1/3 to 1/2 inch wide. You can leave the peel on the potatoes to add a little texture on the sides, or peel them first. Once each potato is cut into fries, submerge the potato strips in the ice water. Soak the fries in cold water for a minimum of one hour, but the longer the better. You can even soak them overnight for extra crispy fries. (Pulling the excess starches out of the potatoes with cold water gives the fries the best crispy on the outside, soft in the middle texture.)
- Meanwhile set out a small bowl. Measure and combine all the ingredients for the french fry seasoning. Mix well.
- When ready to fry, remove the potato strips from the cold water. Lay them out flat on paper towels and pat dry. (They need to be well-dried before going in the oil to avoid splatter.) Set a large saucepot on the stovetop. Add 2 quarts of fry oil to the pot, and attach a cooking thermometer to the side of the pot.
- Turn the heat to medium and wait for the fry oil to reach 310° F.
- Set a large rimmed baking sheet to the side of the pot lined with paper towels to hold the fries.
- Once the oil is hot, use a skimmer to lower 1 to 2 portions of fries down into the hot oil. Stir well and fry for 4 to 6 minutes until golden brown. Use the skimmer to move the fries to the holding tray. Immediately sprinkle with fry seasoning and shake to coat.
- Repeat with several more small batches. Adjust the temperature as needed to keep the oil around 300°F. You can place the tray of fries in a 200°F oven to keep warm if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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The flavor was very good, but my fries were not crispy. I kept temp above 300 degrees and used a cast iron skillet for frying. Wondering why they didn’t crisp up, left potatoes overnight in ice water bath and dried very well. Humm
These fries are DELISH! I will be making these all the time now!
Really great flavor and so easy! Love how good these are! Delicious!!! YUM!
Anything with smoked paprika is a win in my book! These fries are delicious.
oh my goodness, these fries and this seasoning are the best things ever! thank you for sharing this recipe!