4.8 from 18 votes
Cajun Fries (Cajun French Fry Seasoning)
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!
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 476 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine:
American , Cajun
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.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- 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.
- 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.
- Baked Fries? For baked fries, preheat the oven to 425°F layout several large rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle each sheet with 1/4 cup of oil, toss well to coat, and spread the fries out in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes. Flip the fries, then bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with French fry seasoning while hot.
- For baked fries, preheat the oven to 425°F layout several large rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle each sheet with 1/4 cup of oil, toss well to coat, and spread the fries out in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes. Flip the fries, then bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with French fry seasoning while hot.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1c
Calories
476kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
35g
(12%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
37g
(57%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
21g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Trans Fat
1g
Sodium
592mg
(25%)
Potassium
815mg
(23%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
313IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
11mg
(12%)
Calcium
33mg
(3%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 476
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1c | |
| Calories | 476kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 21g | 124% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Sodium | 592mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 815mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 313IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.