Cajun Potatoes are enticingly flavorful & crispy fried baby potatoes dunked in a creamy cajun mayonnaise sauce. Made from scratch, gets done in 40 minutes!
This dish has a delicious blend of cajun spices with a creamy sauce which pairs so well with the crispy shallow fried potatoes. The taste and flavors of these cajun potatoes are just out-of-this-world!
Create a zesty spice rub with sumac to add Mediterranean flair to grilled or roasted veggies and tofu.
Table of contents
The great thing about this appetizer recipe is that it is so easy to make! Using my easy recipe, you can make perfectly crisp and crunchy cajun potatoes with the best creamy sauce from scratch in just 40 minutes.
If you love potatoes and spicy flavors in your dishes, then cajun spice potato is for you!
About Cajun Potatoes
These cajun potatoes are one of the most popular dishes sold in the Barbeque Nation Restaurant chains in India. And making this BBQ nation-style cajun potato recipe at home is very simple and easy. It has quite the similar taste of what you get in restaurants.
This recipe makes Cajun Potatoes which are super crispy on the outside, velvety and melt-in-the-mouth from inside. Every single bite of these crispy fried potatoes are finger licking good. They are so delightful and so addictive just like French fries.
Once you take a bite, you won’t be able to stop eating them. So it is better to have them on a cheat day, which is what I do.
If you want a healthy version of these cajun potatoes, then you can easily do that by air-frying or baking potatoes instead of frying.
Just follow this simple and easy recipe to get cajun potatoes and you will be amazed with the results. They can be served as an appetizer or as a side dish for any parties, game nights, movie nights, celebrations or get-togethers. Cajun potatoes can also be served as a weekend evening snack to relish with a hot cuppa tea or coffee.
Do you also love potato recipes? Here are some mouth-watering potato recipes you may like – Roasted Potatoes, Baked Masala Potato Wedges, Potato Gratins, Aloo Palak Pakora and Jeera Aloo.
These Cajun Potatoes
✔ are quick and easy-to-make
✔ are suitable for kids
✔ can also be made with eggless mayonnaise
✔ are a perfect starter for parties
✔ can be served on game nights
✔ can also be made gluten-free and vegan
✔ can be customized according to your taste buds
✔ get ready in under 40 minutes
✔ can also be baked or air-fried
Cajun Potatoes Ingredients
You don’t need too many fancy ingredients for making cajun potatoes. Below are the ingredients you will need:
Potatoes – I personally like to use baby potatoes for making this recipe. But you can also use regular potatoes here. Simply cut them into 1-inch cubes and swap them with baby potatoes in this recipe. Red, gold, or purple potatoes can also be used for making this recipe.
Oil – It is used for shallow frying. You can use any oil that is suitable for deep frying.
Mayonnaise – I have used regular original mayonnaise here. But you can also use eggless mayonnaise for making this recipe.
Seasoning – Cajun seasoning is the main ingredient of this dish. I have added spices (garlic powder, onion powder, red chili powder, red pepper flakes, ground black pepper, and salt), and mixed herbs here. You can also use store-bought cajun seasoning for this recipe.
Milk – I have used full cream milk for diluting the mayonnaise sauce. But if you want a richer sauce, then you can also use a mix of cream and water for diluting.
Corn starch – It is used for making a thin batter for coating potatoes. This adds a nice crunch and crispness to potatoes. You can also use rice flour here.
All purpose flour – This is added to the coating batter.
Cilantro – Chopped coriander/cilantro is also used as a garnish. You can also use freshly chopped parsley here.
Onions – Some finely chopped onions are used for garnishing and added crunch, but adding onion is entirely optional here.
You can get the complete list of ingredients with the amount in the recipe card below.
What is a cajun spice made of?
Cajun spice seasoning is a spice blend made with mixed herbs, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, onion powder, red chilli/cayenne pepper/paprika, black pepper and salt. To make this spice, just mix the spices and herbs and your cajun spiced seasoning is ready.
For this recipe, I didn’t make cajun spice mix separately. I just added spices directly to the mayonnaise and cornstarch batter and mixed them. If you wish, you can first make the cajun spice seasoning and then add it to the mayonnaise and also to the cornstarch batter.
But if you are making other cajun flavored recipes, then making your own blend first is a great idea.
How to make Cajun Spice at home?
Making cajun spice at home is straightforward. You just need to mix these spices: garlic powder, red pepper flakes, onion powder, red chilli/cayenne pepper/paprika, black pepper and salt.
Also add mixed herbs such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley, etc. Now, your cajun spice blend is ready. For this recipe, you can also use readymade cajun spice available in stores.
Cajun seasoning ingredients
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3 tablespoons paprika/cayenne pepper/kashmiri red chili powder
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2 tablespoons garlic powder
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2 tablespoons fine salt
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2 tablespoons ground black pepper
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1 tablespoons onion powder
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3 tablespoons dried mixed herbs
Cajun seasoning recipe
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Simply mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
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Transfer them to a spice jar. You can store this spice mix in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 year.
How to Make Cajun Potatoes
Making cajun potatoes at home requires only a few steps. Just follow the following 6 simple steps to make the best Cajun Potatoes ever.
Step 1 — Add water, potatoes with skin, and salt to a pressure cooker or a saucepan. Pressure cook for 2 whistles or boil them until they are tender and soft.
Step 2 — Once potatoes are cooked, place them on a wooden board. Smash the potatoes using the back of your palm or the bottom of a glass.
Step 3 — Make a batter for coating by mixing cornstarch, all purpose flour, spices, and water.
Step 4 — Dip smashed potatoes into the batter and deep/shallow fry them in oil until they are golden and crisp from both the sides.
Step 5 — Make mayonnaise cajun sauce by mixing mayonnaise, spices, herbs and milk.
Step 6 — Top fried potatoes with mayonnaise cajun sauce and garnish with red pepper flakes, cilantro and chopped onions. They are ready to serve!
On this page, you’ll find step-by-step photo instructions and a video recipe to make the best tasting Cajun Potatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Cajun potatoes taste best when served hot straight from the pan. So make the sauce in advance and assemble them right after frying to enjoy the best taste. You can pair them with a cold drink or a smoothie or even tea when served as a snack.
When served as a side dish, you can pair them with Pull-Apart Garlic Bread, Baked Feta Pasta, or White Sauce Pasta.
Storage Suggestions
You can boil and smash the potatoes in advance, but fry them when you are about to serve. They are crunchy and crispy when served right after frying. After some hours they tend to lose crispness and become soft. However, you can store the leftovers in an air-tight container.
When you want to serve, reheat them in the oven for 8-10 minutes at a 150°C/300°F preheated oven and they will be crisp again.
Tips, tricks and Variations to make the Best Cajun Potatoes
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Make certain that you don’t overcook potatoes. Or else, it will retain water and the fried potatoes won’t turn really crisp.
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Remember to smash the potatoes when they are at room temperature and completely dried.
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I have used baby potatoes, but you can also use regular potatoes. If you are using regular potatoes, then simply dice them into cubes and then boil them.
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Air Fried Cajun Potatoes – If you are not comfortable eating deep fried potatoes, then you can also air fry these baby potatoes. To air-fry, place baking paper on the air-fryer basket and preheat at 180°C/356 °F. Now gently place the batter coated smashed potatoes into the basket of the air fryer in a single layer. Spray with some oil and air fry for about 10-11 minutes. After 10 minutes, open the basket and flip all the potatoes and air fry again for approximately 8-10 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown.
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Baked Cajun Potatoes – You can also oven bake these batter coated potatoes. To bake, preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C. Then, arrange the potatoes on a baking paper lined sheet, in a single layer. Brush/spray with some oil and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until smashed potatoes have turned brown and get crisp from all the sides.
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Fry the potatoes in batches. Do not overcrowd the pan while shallow frying.
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You can replace cornstarch with rice flour.
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You can adjust the amount of spices according to your taste.
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Instead of garlic powder, you can also use freshly grated/minced garlic.
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If you don’t have onion powder, then you can skip adding it, or simply add about 1 tablespoon of finely chopped onions.
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Instead of baby potatoes, regular potatoes can be quartered and used. Using baby potatoes for this recipe is highly recommended.
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I deeply suggest not to remove the skin. It’s because skin makes potatoes more crispy.
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Don’t over-boil the potatoes. Or they will become mushy and won’t turn crispy after frying.
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You can also use store bought cajun spice mix for making cajun spiced potatoes.
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Always add the cajun sauce right before serving, or else potatoes will turn soggy.
FAQ
How to make cajun potatoes without mayonnaise?
Making cajun potatoes without mayonnaise is possible but using mayonnaise is highly recommended if you want Barbeque Nation Restaurant taste in your cajun potatoes. However, if you don’t have mayonnaise at hand, then you can swap it with heavy cream or full fat greek yogurt.
Can we peel the potatoes to make cajun potatoes?
You don’t need to peel the potatoes for this recipe. The potato skin adds a nice crunch and crisp texture to the potatoes after deep frying. So using potatoes with skin is recommended.
What to serve with Barbeque Nation Style Cajun Potatoes?
These cajun potatoes can be served as an appetizer along with garlic bread. They can also be served as a side dish with your favorite pasta or sandwich, or even burger.
Can I freeze Cajun Potatoes?
Yes, you can freeze leftover fried potatoes for up to 3 months. To store, line cooled-fried-smashed potatoes on a paper-lined freezer-safe tray and freeze for 2-3 hours until frozen.
After that, transfer the frozen potatoes to a freezer-safe container or a Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
When you want to eat, thaw them at room temperature. Then reheat them in a preheated oven at 150°C/300°F for 8-10 minutes or until crisp, or simply thaw them at room temperature and warm in the microwave before eating.
Cajun Potatoes (Step-by-step photo instructions)
How to cook baby potatoes
- Scrub & rinse the baby potatoes to get rid of any dirt. Now, add cleaned baby potatoes to a pressure cooker. Also, add enough water to cover the potatoes and salt. Stir everything and cover the cooker with the lid. Pressure cook for 2 whistles and let the pressure release naturally. Alternatively, you can boil the potatoes in a large saucepan. To boil in a saucepan, add the potatoes to the pan, and fill the pan with enough water. Add salt, stir and boil for 15 to 20 minutes or until just tender (90% cooked) and fork-tender. TIP: Make sure that you do not overcook the potatoes. Or they will become mushy and won't turn crispy after frying.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, open the pressure cooker lid and transfer the cooked potatoes to a wooden board in a single layer.
- Take a potato and smash it using the end of your palm, a bottom of a glass, or a flat spatula. Just make sure it is flat and holds its shape. Do not break the potato into pieces, you need to keep the potato intact.
Make coating
- Add corn starch, all-purpose flour, dried mixed herbs, chili flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground pepper to a mixing bowl. Whisk all the dry ingredients.
- After that, add about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of water in batches and whisk to make a thin and flowing consistency lump-free batter.
- Heat oil for frying in a pan over high heat. Dip each potato in the cornstarch batter, and shake off to excess batter. Once the oil is hot, turn the heat to medium. Then drop the batter-coated potatoes in the pan. Shallow fry the potatoes from the bottom until golden.
- After that, flip the potatoes and fry them from the other side too. Once potatoes are crispy and golden, remove them from the oil and transfer them onto a paper-lined plate. Similarly, fry all the potatoes.
Make cajun sauce
- Mix together the mayonnaise, mixed herbs, garlic & onion powder, red chili powder, red paper flakes, and salt. Mix everything until well combined. Add milk in batches and whisk well until you get the right consistency. I added milk to get the desired consistency, but you can also use a combination of milk cream, and water to thin down the sauce.
Assemble cajun potatoes
- Transfer the fried potatoes to a serving platter. Generously Spoon cajun sauce over the fried potatoes with cajun mayonnaise dressing.
- Sprinkle with chopped onions, and chopped cilantro/parsley. Garnish it with some red pepper flakes, and chili powder. Garnishing is completely optional here. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Recipe Card
Cajun Potatoes [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 3 reviews)
| Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
|---|---|---|
| 40 mins | ||
| Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Serves ☺ |
| Snacks | American | 4 |
| Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
| 338 calories | 1 |
INGREDIENTS
For Boiling Potatoes
- 20 baby potatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Water, to boil
For Coating
- 4 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour/maida
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley, oregano, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Water for making a smooth batter
For frying
- Oil for shallow/deep frying
For Cajun Sauce
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika/cayenne pepper/Kashmiri red chili powder, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 cup milk, or as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or as per taste
For Serving Cajun Potatoes
- 1 tablespoon chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- A pinch of paprika or chili flakes
INSTRUCTIONS:
How to cook baby potatoes
- Scrub & rinse the baby potatoes to get rid of any dirt. Now, add cleaned baby potatoes to a pressure cooker. Also, add enough water to cover the potatoes and salt. Stir everything and cover the cooker with the lid. Pressure cook for 2 whistles and let the pressure release naturally. Alternatively, you can boil the potatoes in a large saucepan. To boil in a saucepan, add the potatoes to the pan, and fill the pan with enough water. Add salt, stir and boil for 15 to 20 minutes or until just tender (90% cooked) and fork-tender. TIP: Make sure that you do not overcook the potatoes. Or they will become mushy and won't turn crispy after frying.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, open the pressure cooker lid and transfer the cooked potatoes to a wooden board in a single layer.
- Take a potato and smash it using the end of your palm, a bottom of a glass, or a flat spatula. Just make sure it is flat and holds its shape. Do not break the potato into pieces, you need to keep the potato intact.
Make coating
- Add corn starch, all-purpose flour, dried mixed herbs, chili flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground pepper to a mixing bowl. Whisk all the dry ingredients.
- After that, add about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of water in batches and whisk to make a thin and flowing consistency lump-free batter.
- Heat oil for frying in a pan over high heat. Dip each potato in the cornstarch batter, and shake off to excess batter. Once the oil is hot, turn the heat to medium. Then drop the batter-coated potatoes in the pan. Shallow fry the potatoes from the bottom until golden.
- After that, flip the potatoes and fry them from the other side too. Once potatoes are crispy and golden, remove them from the oil and transfer them onto a paper-lined plate. Similarly, fry all the potatoes.
Make cajun sauce
- Mix together the mayonnaise, mixed herbs, garlic & onion powder, red chili powder, red paper flakes, and salt. Mix everything until well combined. Add milk in batches and whisk well until you get the right consistency. I added milk to get the desired consistency, but you can also use a combination of milk cream, and water to thin down the sauce.
Assemble cajun potatoes
- Transfer the fried potatoes to a serving platter. Generously Spoon cajun sauce over the fried potatoes with cajun mayonnaise dressing.
- Sprinkle with chopped onions, and chopped cilantro/parsley. Garnish it with some red pepper flakes, and chili powder. Garnishing is completely optional here. Serve immediately and enjoy.
WATCH RECIPE VIDEO: Click the play button and video will load ...
NOTES:
- Air Fried Cajun Potatoes – If you are not comfortable eating deep fried potatoes, then you can also air fry these baby potatoes. To air-fry, place baking paper on the air-fryer basket and preheat at 180°C/356 °F. Now gently place the batter coated smashed potatoes into the basket of the air fryer in a single layer. Spray with some oil and air fry for about 10-11 minutes. After 10 minutes, open the basket and flip all the potatoes and air fry again for approximately 8-10 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown.
- Baked Cajun Potatoes – You can also oven bake these batter coated potatoes. To bake, preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C. Then, arrange the potatoes on a baking paper lined sheet, in a single layer. Brush/spray with some oil and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until smashed potatoes have turned brown and get crisp from all the sides.
- Make certain that you don't overcook potatoes. Or else, it will retain water and the fried potatoes won't turn really crisp.
- Remember to smash the potatoes when they are at room temperature and completely dried.
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Author: Anupama
Recipe Source Link: https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/cajun-potatoes/