If you’ve ever craved the crispy, flavorful perfection of Popeye’s cajun fries, you’re in for a treat! This easy homemade version delivers all the bold, spicy flavors you love, and it even comes with a finger-lickin'-good spicy Cajun mayo dipping sauce. Plus, these fries are so easy to make. If you've tried my Garlic Fries recipe or Five Guys french fries, then you know all about how I elevate regular french fries in a simple, foolproof way.
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Why I Love This Popeye’s Cajun Fries Recipe
This recipe reminds me of the countless road trips my best friend Al and I have gone on through the years. Stopping for Popeye’s fries was always part of our plan no matter where we went.
Anyway, one day, he told me he had perfected a homemade version, and I couldn’t wait to try making them myself. Well, after experimenting with the seasoning a little bit - and the crunch - I landed on this recipe. It delivers the same bold flavors and crispy perfection as the original—maybe even better. Even if you love cajun recipes, you'll be obsessed with these fries! You also have to try my cajun egg boil.
Ingredients You'll Need
For the fries:
- 3 large potatoes (Russet or Idaho)
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 2 cups seltzer water or club soda
- 2 tablespoon corn starch
- *(6-7 Cups of oil for frying)
For the cajun seasoning:
- 2 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
For the spicy cajun mayo dipping sauce:
- ½ cup mayo
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon honey
How To Make Popeye's Cajun Fries at Home
Step 1: Prep the Potatoes
Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin strips. Rinse them under warm water until the water runs clear, then pat them dry. This step removes excess starch and ensures crispy fries.
Step 2: Make the Batter
Combine the flour, cornstarch, and half of the Cajun seasoning mix in a bowl. Gradually whisk in seltzer water until the batter is smooth and thick.
Step 3: Coat and Fry
Dip the potato strips into the batter, ensuring they’re evenly coated. Fry them in small batches at 375°F for 3-5 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Remove the potatoes from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 4: Add the Cajun Spice
Sprinkle the remaining Cajun seasoning mix over the hot fries for an extra kick of flavor.
Step 5: Make the Dipping Sauce
In a small bowl, mix mayo, sweet chili sauce, cajun seasoning, and honey until smooth. Serve the sauce alongside the fries for the ultimate snack. Enjoy!
Expert Tips To Make The Best Popeyes Cajun Fries
- Cut the fries into thin and even pieces. Try to keep the strips around ¼-inch thick, so they cook fast and crisp evenly. If some are thicker than others, the thin ones over-brown while the thick ones stay soft inside. A simple trick is cutting the potato into planks first, then slicing those into uniform sticks.
- Rinse until the water runs clear (then dry really well). That rinse step is doing real work; excess starch is the enemy of crisp fries. But the drying is just as important: if the potatoes are wet, the batter slides off and the oil pops. Pat them down thoroughly with paper towels before dipping.
- Keep the seltzer cold and mix the batter right before frying. Cold, bubbly seltzer is what helps the coating fry up light and crisp. If the batter sits too long, it loses carbonation and can turn heavy. Whisk until smooth and thick, thick enough to cling, but still drip off in ribbons.
- Season the batter and the fries. Putting some Cajun seasoning in the batter builds flavor into the coating, but finishing with the rest of the seasoning right after frying is what gives you that bold “Popeyes-style” punch. Sprinkle as soon as they come out of the oil so it sticks instantly.
- Fry in small batches (crowding ruins crisp). Fries need room; too many at once lowers the oil temperature and makes them greasy instead of crispy. Fry in small batches and let the oil return to 375°F between rounds so every batch comes out golden and crunchy.
- Use a thermometer and stay at 375°F. Temperature is everything with battered fries. If the oil is too cool, the coating absorbs oil and gets soggy. Too hot, and the outside browns before the potato cooks through. A clip-on thermometer or instant-read probe keeps you locked in.
- Drain on a rack if you can. Paper towels work, but a wire rack is better because it keeps air moving under the fries so the coating stays crisp instead of steaming on the bottom. If you’re using paper towels, don’t pile the fries, spread them out.
- Make the sauce while the oil heats. The mayo, sweet chili, Cajun, and honey sauces taste even better after 10–15 minutes, as the flavors blend. If it’s too thick, loosen it with 1–2 teaspoons of water or a squeeze of lemon for a brighter finish.
Popeyes Cajun Fries Recipe FAQS
Can I bake these fries instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake them, but they won’t get quite as crisp as deep frying. For the best baked version, preheat the oven to 425°F and place the fries on a parchment-lined baking sheet (or, even better, a wire rack on top of the sheet so air circulates underneath). Lightly spray with oil, then bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until deeply golden and crisp around the edges. Season immediately while hot so the Cajun coating tastes bold and fresh.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
It’s best to mix the batter fresh because the bubbles from the seltzer are what create that light, crispy texture. You can prep the dry mix ahead of time. To do that, measure and whisk the flour and seasonings, then store them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to cook, whisk in the cold seltzer just before coating the fries to achieve maximum crispness.
Can I freeze the fries?
Yes, and freezing works great for a “cook from frozen” batch. After coating, lay the fries on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for 45–60 minutes until firm. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Fry straight from frozen (don’t thaw) so the coating stays intact and crisp—just add 1–2 extra minutes of frying time, and season right after they come out.
My Final Thoughts
These homemade Popeye’s cajun fries are crispy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. When you pair them with the spicy Cajun mayo, they’re an irresistible snack that’s sure to be a hit with whoever you share them with. As always, if you try them, let me know how they turn out in the comments below!
More Homemade Popeye Recipes to Try Next
- Popeye's biscuits
- Popeye's mashed potatoes with cajun gravy
- Popeye's sweet heat sauce
- Popeye's chicken sandwich
- Popeye's red beans and rice
- Popeye's cajun rice
Homemade Popeye's Cajun Fries Recipe
If you’ve ever craved the crispy, flavorful perfection of Popeye’s cajun fries, you’re in for a treat! This easy homemade version delivers all the bold, spicy flavors you love, and it even comes with a finger-lickin'-good spicy Cajun mayo dipping sauce. Plus, these fries are so easy to make. If you've tried my Garlic Fries recipe or Five Guys french fries, then you know all about how I elevate regular french fries in a simple, foolproof way.
Ingredients
For the fries:
- 3 large potatoes (Russet or Idaho)
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 2 cups seltzer water or club soda
- 2 tablespoon corn starch
- *(6-8 Cups of oil for frying)
For the cajun seasoning:
- 2 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
For the spicy cajun mayo dipping sauce:
- ½ cup mayo
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin strips. Rinse under warm water until it runs clear, then pat them dry. This step removes excess starch and ensures crispy fries.
- Combine the flour, cornstarch, and half of the cajun seasoning mix in a bowl. Gradually whisk in seltzer water until the batter is smooth and thick.
- Dip the potato strips into the batter, ensuring they’re evenly coated. Fry them in small batches at 375°F for 3-5 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Sprinkle the remaining cajun seasoning mix over the hot fries for an extra kick of flavor.
- In a small bowl, mix mayo, sweet chili sauce, cajun seasoning, and honey until smooth. Serve the sauce alongside the fries for the ultimate snack.
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