Spicy Cajun Fries Recipe

If you love spicy snacks, these homemade Cajun fries are a snack you absolutely have to try. They are spicy without burning a hole in your mouth and heavily seasoned with delicious Cajun flavors that will leave you wanting more.

These fries make a fantastic side for burgers or even just a snack for movie night. They have a healthy dose of flavorful spices and a nice little kick that is just spicy enough to make you happy, and of course, the spiciness is adjustable.

A baking sheet full of Cajun Fries topped with fresh, chopped parsley.

What Are Cajun fries?

These fries are a popular Southern dish that found it’s origins in the Cajun and Creole regions of Louisiana. They are strongly spiced and have plenty of spicy kick that is smokey, spicy, and savory. They are a fusion of Cajun and American cuisines.

Where Can I Buy Cajun Seasoning?

Cajust seasoning is readily available in most mainstream grocery stores in the spice aisle. That said, you don’t need to make a special trip to the store. Chances are, you have the needed spices in your spice cabinet already.

How Spicy Are These Fries?

These are about the same spice level as medium spicy salsa if you make them according to the recipe. You can easily make them much spicier or not spicy at all if you wish. Simply adjust the cayenne pepper to your liking, or omit it completely.

An overhead view of a baking sheet filled with Cajun Fries and topped with fresh, chopped parsley.

What To Serve With Cajun fries?

You can serve this as a snack with dip or enjoy it as a side dish to a main dish. Here are some suggestions:

Dip Ideas

  1. Ketchup
  2. Ranch Dressing
  3. Aioli
  4. Remoulade Sauce
  5. Spicy Mustard

Mains And Sides

  1. Cajun Chicken
  2. Blackened Fish
  3. Fried Catfish
  4. Red Beans and Rice
  5. Cajun Coleslaw
  6. Creole Potato Salad
  7. Grilled Vegetables
  8. Cajun Tofu

Recipe Variations

  1. Loaded Fries: Top your Cajun fries with melted cheese, crispy bacon bits, diced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream for a decadent treat.
  2. Cajun Poutine: Create a Southern twist on the Canadian classic by smothering your Cajun fries in rich gravy and cheese curds.
  3. Seafood Fries: Add a seafood twist by serving Cajun fries with fried shrimp, crawfish tails, or blackened fish fillets on top.
  4. Vegetarian Fries: Skip the meat and load your fries with sautéed bell peppers, onions, black beans, corn, and avocado for a hearty vegetarian option.
  5. Nachos Fries: Turn your Cajun fries into a shareable appetizer by layering them with melted cheese, jalapeños, black beans, salsa, and guacamole.
  6. French Fry Salad: Toss Cajun fries with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing for a flavorful salad.
  7. Breakfast Hash: Use Cajun fries as the base for a hearty breakfast hash by adding scrambled eggs, crumbled sausage, diced bell peppers, and shredded cheese.
  8. Cajun Tacos: Fill soft corn tortillas with Cajun fries, grilled or blackened chicken, avocado slices, shredded lettuce, and salsa for a Tex-Mex-inspired taco.
  9. Cajun Mac and Cheese: Mix Cajun fries into your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe for an indulgent and spicy twist on this comfort food classic.
A front view of a baking sheet full of Cajun Fries.

Best Potatoes For French Fries

Your best options are Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes. Either one will make excellent fries.

Should I Soak My Fries?

If you are cutting your own fries from raw potatoes, you may want to consider soaking the fries in cold water for 15-20 minutes before proceeding with the recipe. This will cut down on the starch and will make the outside of your fries crispier. Note that you will need to pat them dry after soaking.

If you are using frozen fries, do not soak the fries. It will create a mess.

Air Fryer Cajun Fries

You can cook these in an air fryer if you prefer.

Make sure you keep the fries in a single layer. This means you’ll have to cook a few batches. Stir the fries a few times during cooking, but stir gently so you don’t knock off all the spices.

A side view of a baking sheet full of Cajun Fries.

About The Ingredients

French fries – You can cut these yourself from raw potatoes or use frozen fries. Your choice.

Extra virgin olive oil – You can use any oil you prefer.

Paprika

Garlic granules – Or garlic powder.

Onion granules – Or onion powder.

Dried oregano

Dried thyme

Cayenne pepper – Ajust to taste.

Ground black pepper

Salt

Fresh parsley – Chopped

How To Make Cajun Fries

An oven temperature display panel set to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preheat your oven to 425℉.

Gather and measure all your ingredients.

A small white bowl of oil sits next to a larger metal bowl with a mix of spices in it.

In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt to make the Cajun seasoning.

A baking sheet filled with seasoned, frozen fries.

Place the frozen French fries in a large bowl with the oil and spices and mix well to coat them. Spread them out over a baking sheet in a single layer.

An overhead view of a baking sheet full of Cajun Fries.

Bake for 30-40 minutes or until they are cooked to your liking. Make sure to stir them at least once or twice throughout baking to make sure they get evenly cooked and crisp.

A side view of a baking sheet full of Cajun Fries.

Once baked to your liking, remove them from the oven, top them with fresh, chopped parsley, and serve as desired.

Storage

Store leftover fries in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.

Reheating

These are best reheated in the oven. But if you prefer very soft fries, you can reheat them in a microwave.

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A baking sheet full of Cajun Fries topped with fresh, chopped parsley.

Cajun Fries Recipe

Well-seasoned, spicy fries you won't be able to stop eating.
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Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 339kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. frozen French fries
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • tsp. paprika
  • tsp. garlic powder
  • tsp. onion powder
  • tsp. dried oregano
  • tsp. dried thyme
  • ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. ground black pepper
  • fresh, chopped parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 425℉.
    An oven temperature display panel set to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Gather and measure all your ingredients.
    A baking sheet of frozen fries with a small bowl of oil on it. It sits next to a plate of small piles of individual spices.
  • In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt to make the Cajun seasoning.
    A small white bowl of oil sits next to a larger metal bowl with a mix of spices in it.
  • Place the frozen French fries in a large bowl with the oil and spices and mix well to coat them. Spread them out over a baking sheet in a single layer.
    A baking sheet filled with seasoned, frozen fries.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes or until they are cooked to your liking. Make sure to stir them at least once or twice throughout baking to make sure they get evenly cooked and crisp.
    An overhead view of a baking sheet full of Cajun Fries.
  • Once baked to your liking, remove them from the oven, top them with fresh, chopped parsley, and serve as desired.
    A side view of a baking sheet full of Cajun Fries.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25the recipe | Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 849mg | Potassium: 546mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 502IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 3mg

Author: Tiffany McCauley

Title: Food and Travel Journalist

Expertise: Food, cooking, travel

Bio:

Tiffany McCauley is a nationally syndicated journalist and an award-winning cookbook author and food blogger. She has been featured on MSN, Huffington Post, Country Living Magazine, HealthLine, Redbook, and many more. Her food specialty is healthy comfort food recipes.

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