Air-Fryer Cajun Fries: A Spicy, Crispy Treat

If you're craving a spicy snack, air fryer Cajun fries are the way to go. This healthier take on a classic side dish is easy to make and full of flavour. All you need are three simple ingredients: Russet potatoes, oil, and Cajun seasoning. You can make your own spice blend at home or use a store-bought option. The preparation method is straightforward: cut the potatoes into fries, toss them in oil and seasoning, and then air fry until golden brown. You can also add a dipping sauce like Creole sauce or garlic aioli for an extra kick. So, get your air fryer heating and enjoy this delicious snack!

How to Make Cajun Fries in an Air Fryer

Cut potatoes into fries

How to Cut Potatoes into Fries

Step 1: Prepare the Potato

Place the potato on its side. Using a large chef's knife, cut a thin slice off the edge of the potato to create a flat base. This will make it easier to cut the potato into even slices.

Step 2: Cut the Potato into Slices

With the potato still on its side, cut it in half lengthwise. Then, lay each half cut-side down and slice it lengthwise into 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick slices. The thickness of the slices will depend on your preferred fry thickness. Thinner slices will result in crispier fries, while thicker slices will be softer in the centre.

Step 3: Stack and Cut into Fries

Now, stack about half of the potato slices and cut them lengthwise into 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick fries. Repeat this process with the remaining slices. You should now have a pile of evenly cut fries!

Tips:

• For the perfect French fry, it is important to cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces. This will ensure they cook uniformly.
• If you are making a large batch of fries, consider investing in a potato press or French fry cutter. These tools will help you quickly and easily cut potatoes into perfect fries.
• You can peel the potatoes before cutting, but it is not necessary. Leaving the skin on adds texture and nutrients to your dish.
• To prevent the potatoes from discolouring before cooking, you can soak them in water. Soaking in cold water also helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier fries. Just be sure to dry them thoroughly before cooking.

Soak potatoes in water

Soaking your potatoes in water before frying is an important step in the process of making Cajun fries. This is because soaking potatoes in water helps to remove excess starch. Excess starch can prevent potatoes from cooking evenly and can result in a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of the potatoes.

To make your Cajun fries in an air fryer, start by peeling and cutting your potatoes into fries. Then, soak the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes. This will help to leech out the starch. You can also add a tablespoon of concentrated lemon juice or vinegar to each gallon of water to prevent oxidation.

After soaking, remove the potatoes from the water and dry them thoroughly with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. This step is important because any remaining water will cause the hot oil to splatter when you add the potatoes to the air fryer.

Once the potatoes are dry, you can proceed with the next steps of the Cajun fries recipe, such as tossing them in oil and seasoning and air frying to crispy perfection!

Dry potatoes

Preparing the potatoes is the first step in making Cajun fries. Start by washing and peeling the potatoes. The type of potato you use is important; Russet potatoes are recommended due to their high starch and low moisture content. Cut the potatoes into fries of roughly equal size, with a thickness between 1/4" and 1/2".

The next step is to dry the potatoes. Blot them with paper towels to remove all excess water. This step is crucial as it ensures that the seasoning will stick to the potatoes properly. You can also place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 15 minutes or up to an hour to remove some of the starch and ensure crispier fries. If you have the time, you can even soak them in ice water for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Once the potatoes are dry, you can proceed to the next step, which is to toss them with oil and seasoning. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with your chosen oil, such as peanut, avocado, or vegetable oil. Add the Cajun seasoning and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated. You can use a store-bought Cajun seasoning blend or make your own by mixing spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.

Now your potatoes are ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and set the temperature to between 380°F and 400°F. Cook for 15-20 minutes, tossing the potatoes occasionally during the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Check the potatoes regularly to achieve your desired level of crispiness. When they are done, sprinkle with additional Cajun seasoning, if desired, and serve while still hot.

Oil and season potatoes

Oil and Season the Potatoes

After cutting the potatoes into fries, it's time to oil and season them. This step is crucial to ensure your Cajun fries are tasty and crispy. Here's a detailed guide:

Oil the Potatoes

Place the cut potatoes into a large bowl and drizzle them with your chosen oil. You can use peanut oil, avocado oil, canola oil, olive oil, or any other vegetable oil suitable for frying. Use about a tablespoon of oil for every large potato. Toss the potatoes in the oil until they are evenly coated. Blot them with paper towels to remove any excess oil.

Season the Potatoes

You can use a store-bought Cajun seasoning blend or make your own. To make your own, combine the following spices in a small bowl:

• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dried oregano
• Dried thyme
• Red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper (adjust the amount to your preferred spice level)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Granulated sugar (optional, to balance the spice)

Sprinkle the seasoning blend generously over the oiled potatoes. Toss the potatoes again to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasoning. You can also add more oil at this stage if needed to help the seasoning stick.

Air fry

Preparation

Before air-frying your Cajun fries, you'll need to prepare your potatoes. First, clean and peel your potatoes. You can either peel them completely or leave some of the peel on. Then, cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch strips or thin wedges. Try to cut them into even sizes so that they cook at the same rate.

Next, place the potatoes into a bowl and cover them with cool water. This removes the extra starch from the potatoes, resulting in crispier fries. Let them soak for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour. You can also try blanching the potatoes in boiling salted water for about 4 minutes to leech out the starch.

Once they're done soaking, drain the water and dry the potatoes thoroughly with paper towels. This step is important because it ensures that the seasoning will stick to the potatoes properly.

Seasoning

Now it's time to season your potatoes! Place them in a large bowl and drizzle with oil. You can use avocado oil, peanut oil, or another type of vegetable oil. Use your hands to toss the potatoes and coat them evenly with the oil.

Next, add your Cajun seasoning. You can make your own spice blend or use a store-bought Cajun seasoning. For a copycat Five Guys Cajun seasoning, mix together smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, granulated sugar, dried oregano, dried thyme, red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Toss the potatoes until they are well-coated with the seasoning.

Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Spritz the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray or use a parchment liner to prevent sticking.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It's okay if they're not in a perfectly even layer, but make sure not to overcrowd the basket. You may need to work in batches.

Cook the potatoes for 15-25 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Be sure to toss the fries by shaking the basket several times during cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

Serving

When the fries are golden brown and crispy, they're ready to serve! Sprinkle with additional Cajun seasoning and sea salt to taste before serving. You can also serve them with a dipping sauce, such as garlic aioli, Creole sauce, or ketchup.

Storage and Reheating

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, simply place the fries back in the air fryer for a few minutes until they're crispy again. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the oven at 400-450°F for about 10-13 minutes.

Frequently asked questions