Baked Cajun Fries

This baked Cajun fries recipe makes the best crispy fries straight out of the oven. They have just the right amount of spice and make the best side dish.

This is a super easy side dish go-to when you're craving french fries. As much as I love french fries fresh out of the deep fryer, I really want to avoid all the extra calories that come with them. These baked Cajun fries are the perfect alternative, and dare I say better than any fried fries.

They have a perfect level of spiciness from the Cajun seasoning blend, and they're very easy to make. All it takes is a bit of slicing, soaking and baking. You can reduce your cook time by deep frying them in hot oil, like Canola oil, but baked fries are less messy.

While they're baking up, you're free to get the star of your meal ready. Unless you just want to eat Cajun fries for dinner. Not the worst idea.

Cajun seasonings will bring you a nice level of spice. Not TOO spicy, at least to me, but if you need to spice it up even more, toss in some of your favorite chili powder when seasoning the fries. Reaper powder, anyone? I could handle that! Patty, not so much.

Let's talk about how we make baked Cajun fries, shall we?

Baked Cajun Fries Ingredients

• Potatoes.
• Olive Oil.
• Cajun Seasonings.
• Salt and Pepper to Taste.

How to Make Baked Cajun Fries

Slice the Potatoes. First, wash and scrub 4 large baking potatoes, then cut the potatoes into ¼ inch slices lengthwise. Think “French fry” size.

You can leave the skins on, if desired. I left mine on. Russet potatoes are great for this, though you can use pretty much any potato to make Baked Cajun French Fries.

Soak the Fries. Next, cover the potatoes in a large bowl with cold water and let them soak for at least 10 minutes. 60 minutes is better.

Drain and Dry. Drain and pat the potatoes as dry as you can get them with paper towels.

Preheat Oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Season the Fries. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, Cajun seasoning blend and a bit of salt and pepper. Be sure to get them nicely coated.

First Bake. Spread the fries out onto baking sheets and bake them for 20 minutes, tossing them a bit about half way through.

Second Bake. Increase the heat to 450 degrees F and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the baked Cajun fries and nice and crispy and golden brown.

Go For It! Serve them up! Splash on some hot sauce!

Boom! Done! You're now ready to enjoy your own homemade crispy baked Cajun fries. Time to chow down! What will you serve them with?

Recipe Tips & Notes

The Key to Crispy French Fries in the Oven

Soaking your sliced potatoes in water is the key to ensuring crispy French fries in the oven. This removes much of the starch, allowing them to get nice and crispy. Soaking for 10 minutes is good, but 1 hour is better. Then, it is very important to dry the fries completely. It is the moisture within the potato slices that steams up and makes the fries soggy when baking.

A good coating of olive oil is another important factor in getting crispy fries. Toss the dried fries in olive oil and seasonings, then bake them up until they are nice and crispy. Toss them in a plastic bag to get a nice even coating if you'd like.

Baking Temperature Tip

I've found that the French fries come out even crispier by first baking the fries at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes, then upping the temperature half way through to 450 degrees F to finish them up another 20-25 minutes or so. The extra heat adds to the overall crispiness factor.

About the Cajun Seasonings

Cajun seasonings are typically a blend of specific chili powders along with garlic, onion, salt and a potential slew of other ingredients, like dried herbs and spices. That is the beauty of it, really. No two people make it exactly the same, though you WILL find many commonalities.

You can usually find a blend in the grocery store or order Cajun seasoning online, but you can also make some at home. Here is a simple blend you can use:

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika (smoked paprika is great)
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Mix together in a small bowl. You only need 3-4 tablespoons for this recipe, so save the remaining seasoning in a sealable container.

Try my homemade Cajun seasoning recipe.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve these alongside burgers, sausages, hot dogs, and sandwiches, but don't forget a good sauce to dip them in. Here are some recipe suggestions to consider.

• Jacked Up Fry Sauce
• Ranchero Sauce (great for dipping!)
• Chipotle Sauce
• Guacamole Turkey Burgers
• Smashburgers with Charred Serrano-Blue Cheese Butter
• Grilled Steakhouse BBQ Burgers
• Chicago-Style Hot Dogs
• Grilled Beer Brats with Homemade Beer Cheese

Or Try Some of These Other Great Recipes with Potatoes

• Patatas Bravas
• Papas Arrugadas (Wrinkled Potatoes)
• Carne Asada Fries

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

This recipe was updated on 8/6/21 to include new video, photos and information. It was first published on November 11, 2014.