This Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe is crispy, spicy, and perfectly flavored with our cajun seasoning blend. It's a healthier version that can be made both in the oven and air fryer.
Five guys fans, gather around! This Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries recipe tastes just like the real thing.
If you've ever tried homemade french fries, you know they're a hundred times better than the frozen fries you buy at the grocery store.
This copycat version consists of fresh potatoes that get seasoned with our DIY cajun mix and then cooked until golden perfection.
It's perfect to enjoy alongside your favorite dips and sauces or serve as a side dish to burgers, cauliflower wings, chili, and even shakshuka.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Made with simple ingredients. This recipe doesn't use any fancy ingredients or techniques and is super easy to make.
- Customizable. You can control how salty, spicy, and seasoned you want your fries to be.
- Healthier than regular fries. You'll need only a small amount of vegetable oil to coat the potatoes before air frying or baking them.
- Delicious. Using real potatoes, and fresh spices, these easy cajun fries carry an amazing flavor.
Ingredients
See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- Potatoes: I like to use Yukon Gold potatoes or russet potatoes.
- Spices: To make the five guys' cajun spice blend, you'll need smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Oil: Use canola, olive oil, or peanut oil for best results. Five guys fries are made with peanut oil, but if you have nut allergies I don't recommend using it.
- Salt and black pepper: The best part about making fries at home is that you can control how salty you want them to be.
- Granulated sugar (optional): It mellows down the spiciness of the cajun spice mix, but it won't make your fries sweet.
How to Make Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe
Step 1: Cut the potatoes
Wash, peel, and cut potatoes into ¼" strips. Then, if using the oven method, add your baking sheet to the oven and preheat it to 390ºF (200ºC).
Step 2: Soak in ice-cold water
This is optional, but it helps to get rid of some of the starch, which results in crispier fries. Fill a large bowl with water and add ice and add the potatoes. Soak for at least 30 minutes, then drain and rinse.
Step 3: Dry the potatoes
Lay them on a few layers of paper towels and dry well. This is important to make sure that the seasoning will stick properly.
Step 4: Season
Add the potatoes to a bowl and coat with 1 tablespoon of oil. Then, add the spice mix and stir until every last piece is well-coated.
Step 5: Bake or air fry
Take the hot baking sheets out of the oven and spray them with cooking spray. Add the fries in a single layer, giving them enough space in between. Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
If using an air fryer, preheat it to 390ºF (200ºC). Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then add the fries in a single layer. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Finish by sprinkling a little bit of sea salt before serving.
Expert Tips
- Cut the fries into similar sizes. This ensures that they will cook evenly and at about the same rate.
- Soak the potatoes in ice-cold water. If you have the time, I recommend soaking the fries anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to get rid of the starch. This is my best trick for this Five Guys cajun fries recipe
- Dry them very well before seasoning. After soaking, make sure to completely dry the potatoes. This will help the seasoning stick better and will prevent the potatoes from getting soggy.
- Preheat your baking sheets. Instead of using parchment paper, preheat your baking sheets and spray them with cooking spray. This creates a non-stick layer, and since you're not using parchment paper, the potatoes can have direct contact with the surface and get super crispy.
- Work in batches if needed. It's essential to not overcrowd the air fryer basket or the baking sheets. If you don't give the potatoes enough space, they'll steam instead of crisp up, and will end up being soggy.
FAQ
This recipe is moderately spicy. If you don't like spicy food, you can simply omit the red chili flakes, and if you want the make your fries spicier, you can add ¼- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Yes. Although they won't get as crispy as they were when they were fresh, you can still reheat them. Preheat the oven or air fryer to 400°F (205°C). Bake for 10 minutes, or air fryer for 4-5 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Unlike other fast-food fries, five guys use fresh potatoes that they deep-fry in peanut oil. They use a cooking process called "double frying", which is exactly what it sounds like- frying the potatoes twice to make them extra crispy.
IMO, yes. I highly recommend soaking the potatoes to make the fries extra crispy. If you can't remember to soak them a few hours before, you can soak them overnight and keep them in the fridge.
Russet potatoes are the best type of potatoes to use to make fries. They're high in starch and low in moisture. Avoid using waxy potatoes.
Serving
In true Five Guys fashion, enjoy these cajun fries alongside a Five Guys burger. For those following plant-based diets, check out my air fryer beyond burger recipe.
You can also serve them alongside dishes like eggplant tofu, mac and cheese, orzo salad, and vegan chicken sandwich.
Storage
This recipe is best served when fresh, as the fries get soft when they cool down. However, if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
More Air Fryer Recipes
📖 Recipe
Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer optional
- Oven
Ingredients
For the fries
- 2 large russet potatoes or 3 medium
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil or canola, or olive oil
- Cooking spray
For the spice blend
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Wash, peel, and cut potatoes into ½-inch thick fries. Then, if using the oven method, add your baking sheet to the oven and preheat it to 390ºF (200ºC).
- This is optional, but it helps to get rid of some of the starch, which results in crispier fries. Fill a large bowl with water and add ice and add the potatoes. Soak for at least 30 minutes, then drain and rinse.
- Lay them on a few layers of paper towels and dry well. This is important to make sure that the seasoning will stick properly.
- Add the potatoes to a bowl and coat with 1 tablespoon of oil. Then, add the spice mix and stir until every last piece is well-coated.
- Take the hot baking sheets out of the oven and spray them with cooking spray. Add the fries in a single layer, giving them enough space in between. Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
- If using an air fryer, preheat it to 390ºF (200ºC). Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then add the fries in a single layer. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Finish by sprinkling a little bit of sea salt before serving.
Notes
- Cut the fries into similar sizes. This ensures that they will cook evenly and at about the same rate.
- Soak the potatoes in ice-cold water. If you have the time, I recommend soaking the fries anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to get rid of the starch. This is my best trick for making crispy baked potatoes.
- Dry them very well before seasoning. After soaking, make sure to completely dry the potatoes. This will help the seasoning stick better and will prevent the potatoes from getting soggy.
- Preheat your baking sheets. Instead of using parchment paper, preheat your baking sheets and spray them with cooking spray. This creates a non-stick layer, and since you're not using parchment paper, the potatoes can have direct contact with the surface and get super crispy.
- Work in batches if needed. It's essential to not overcrowd the air fryer basket or the baking sheets. If you don't give the potatoes enough space, they'll steam instead of crisp up, and will end up being soggy.
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Robert says
These fries totally saved me when I had friends over for a movie. They freaking loved em'!