About this BBQ Nation style cajun potatoes recipe

BBQ Nation Style Cajun Potatoes are a delicious appetizer or snack made with crispy, deep-fried baby potatoes coated in a rich, creamy and spicy cajun sauce. This popular appetizer combines a perfect balance of textures and bold flavors, making it a crowd favorite.

Recipe highlights –

Popular appetizer inspired by Barbeque Nation
Crispy texture from fried potatoes
Creamy & spicy mayonnaise based dressing
Option to deep-fry, bake or air fry
Perfect appetizer for parties and gatherings

To make this dish baby potatoes are boiled and deep fried, and then topped with a cajun spiced mayonnaise dressing. It is a delightful dish that packs a punch of flavors and is loved by potato and spice lovers.

Inspiration behind the dish

The flavoring of this dish is inspired by the Cajun cuisine of Louisiana in the southern part of United States. The Cajun cuisine is known for its rich and bold flavors influenced by French, African, and Spanish cooking styles.

Barbeque Nation which is a popular restaurant chain in India, offers its own unique preparation for dish, which has now gained widespread popularity. Their crispy golden brown potatoes, topped with the creamy mayonnaise dressing are loved by all.

What is cajun seasoning?

Cajun seasoning typically consists of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper powder, dried oregano, dried thyme and salt. Sometimes it can also consist of other ingredients like mustard powder, cumin powder etc.

You can purchase cajun spice mix from stores, however it is quite easy to make at home. If you do not want to buy all the individual spices, you can purchase packet of pizza or pasta seasoning which generally comes with most of these spices.

Some handy tips for preparing the cajun potatoes

The recipe calls for the potatoes to be first boiled till they are soft. Then they are pressed to make flat discs. The flattened potatoes are then dipped & coated in a cornstarch paste, then deep fried till they are crispy and golden brown.

Some helpful tips for making the potatoes perfectly for the recipe :

Use baby potatoes – This recipe is typically made with baby potatoes. They give the best results since they cook evenly and are easier to handle. If you do not have baby potatoes, you can use regular potatoes and cut them into 4 parts.
Leave the skin on – I like to leave the skin on the potatoes since they get more crispy, however you can remove the skin after boiling if you want. Make sure to scrub the potatoes clean, if you are leaving the skin on.
Don’t overcook the potatoes – Boil the potatoes for 2 whistles. They should be soft enough to flatten but not too soft that they can’t hold their shape.
Add salt while boiling – I like to add some salt to the water while boiling the potatoes, to season them all the way through.
Flatten potatoes while still warm – Flatten the potatoes soon after boiling while they are still warm, so that they can be shaped more easily. Once the potatoes are flattened and cool down, they will hold their shape.
Use a flat bottom bowl to flatten – Use a bowl with a flat bottom and apply even pressure while flattening the potatoes. I don’t recommend doing with with your hands, since the potatoes are hot and harder to flatten evenly using hands. It is ok to have some cracks in the potatoes after flattening. If some small pieces of the potato break off you can just press them together gently and reshape the potatoes.
Coat in cornstarch – The potatoes are coated in a seasoned cornstarch paste before frying. This helps to make the potatoes more crispy and enhances their taste. The paste should not be too thick otherwise it will overpower the taste and feel of potatoes. It should just coat the potatoes in a thin layer.
Fry in medium hot oil – When adding the potatoes to the oil, make sure it’s medium hot. Then don’t move the potatoes for 3-4 minutes till they are cooked on one side. Flip and repeat the same on the other side till they are golden brown and crispy. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan.

Ways to enhance the nutritional content

The combination of fried potatoes and the mayonnaise dressing makes this dish quite heavy, hence it should be enjoyed in moderation. However, here are few tips to make it more healthy –

While the potatoes are typically deep fried, you can bake or air fry them instead for a healthier preparation.
You can use healthier oils like olive oil or avocado oil instead of vegetable oil to prepare them. These oils are relatively rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which are good for heart.
You can try to make the dish with sweet potatoes. They have a low glycemic index compared to normal potatoes and are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also a good source of beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A.
You can add some vegetables like chopped bell peppers, onions or broccoli with the seasoned potatoes. This adds more fiber & nutrition to the dish.

Serving suggestions for BBQ Nation style cajun potatoes

The potatoes are best enjoyed right after frying, while they are still crispy. If you want to prepare in advance, you can boil and flatten out the potatoes and refrigerate them, then fry before serving.

These potatoes are a great idea for an appetizer for a party or gathering. At parties, Cajun Potatoes can be served in a bowl or platter with toothpicks for easy serving.

You can spoon the cajun mayonnaise dressing on the potatoes before serving and sprinkle some finely chopped onion, coriander leaves and paprika on the top. Or you can place the dressing and garnishes on the side for people to serve themselves.

You can serve Cajun Potatoes as part of a vegetable platter along with other roasted or grilled vegetables for a tasty and colorful experience.

To make BBQ nation style cajun potatoes at home follow the detailed step by step recipe with photos posted below.

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