
Louisiana Voodoo Fries bring bold flavor and serious crunch to your kitchen. Inspired by the famous Wingstop side, these fries layer smoky Cajun spices, gooey cheese, crisp bacon, and a touch of jalapeño zing over golden potatoes. Whenever my family wants a snack to remember—especially on game days—this is the only recipe I reach for.
I first tried recreating these for a backyard movie night and everyone fought over the last handful. Now we rarely let a gathering pass without making a double batch.
Ingredients
- Russet potatoes: for the crispiest fries due to their high starch content look for large firm potatoes without green spots or blemishes
- All-purpose flour: gives a light crispy coating on the outside sift before using to prevent clumps
- Cajun seasoning: delivers signature smoky heat try to find a blend with no added sugar or excess salt
- Garlic powder and onion powder: boost the savory depth buy fresh pure powders for best flavor
- Paprika: adds subtle sweetness and color use smoked paprika for extra dimension
- Salt and black pepper: foundation seasoning taste your Cajun blend first to adjust amounts if needed
- Cayenne pepper (optional): brings an extra punch of heat use sparingly if you want a milder batch
- Buttermilk: ensures fries get a perfect golden crust choose full-fat for richer flavor
- Shredded cheddar cheese: melts beautifully over hot fries for sharp tang buy blocks and shred just before serving
- Shredded Monterey Jack cheese: brings creamy melt factor go with block cheese and shred fresh
- Sliced jalapeños: offer bold pepper kick use fresh for crisper bite or jarred for milder spice
- Chopped green onions: add zip and bright color snip just before serving for freshness
- Crumbled bacon: brings smoky salty crunch use thick-cut cooked until just shy of crisp
- Vegetable oil: needed for deep frying choose a neutral oil like canola or peanut
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Potatoes:
- Peel your russet potatoes and cut them into thin uniform sticks for even frying. Rinse the sliced potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch. Lay them out on a clean towel and pat each fry thoroughly dry so the flour will adhere later. This step seriously helps achieve a shatter-crisp finish.
- Make the Seasoned Coating:
- In a big bowl whisk together the flour Cajun seasoning garlic powder onion powder paprika salt black pepper and if preferred cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine making sure the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Dredge the Fries:
- Pour buttermilk into a shallow dish. Dip each potato fry into the buttermilk coating all sides. Lift and shake off any excess. Transfer to the bowl of seasoned flour and toss fries gently until every bit is covered. Lay the dredged fries on a tray ready for frying.
- Fry the Fries:
- Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot and heat to about three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully lower the fries into the hot oil in small batches. Fry for four to five minutes per batch or until the fries turn golden and the outsides feel crisp. Use a slotted spoon to lift fries out and transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Top and Serve:
- While the fries are still steaming hot sprinkle them generously with fresh-shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. Add a shower of crumbled bacon then scatter sliced jalapeños and chopped green onions on top. Enjoy immediately while the cheese is melted and gooey. A side of ranch or your favorite sauce is the perfect finishing touch.

The Cajun seasoning steals the show here each time I make this recipe I reach for an extra big scoop just after frying so the bold taste coats every fry. Once my nephew declared it the best fries ever after a soccer win and that memory still makes me smile every time I serve these fries.
Storage Tips
Leftover fries keep best wrapped in foil and stored in the fridge for up to two days. To recapture that fresh-from-the-fryer crispiness reheat on a baking sheet in a hot oven instead of the microwave. This is also a great way to remelt any cheese that may have solidified.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you do not have buttermilk use whole milk with a squeeze of lemon juice in a pinch. For those who do not eat pork swap in turkey bacon or leave out the bacon entirely. Cheese blends can be mixed and matched—think mozzarella or pepper jack for a twist. Mild green peppers offer crunch if jalapeños are too spicy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these loaded fries on a big platter for parties alongside barbecue wings sliders or as a star on game night spreads. Often I’ll scatter some extra green onions and serve ranch dressing or creamy chipotle mayo for dipping. Pairing with iced tea or a cold lager suits Southern gatherings perfectly.
Cultural Context
These fries embody Louisiana’s spirit lively bold and ready for a good time. Cajun spices reflect the region’s rich mix of French African and Southern cooking traditions. Sharing a pile of these fiery flavorful fries echoes the feeling of joy found at any New Orleans feast.
Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes
- → How do I achieve extra crispy fries?
Rinse the cut potatoes thoroughly to remove starch, and make sure they are dried before coating and frying. Fry in hot oil at 350°F and avoid overcrowding the pot.
- → Can I bake the fries instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake the coated fries on a greased baking sheet at 425°F for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway. They will be less crispy than fried but still flavorful.
- → What cheese combinations work best?
Sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack melt beautifully and offer a great balance. You can also try pepper jack for added spice.
- → How can I make the fries spicier?
Increase the cayenne pepper in the seasoning or add extra sliced jalapeños and a dash of hot sauce before serving.
- → Can I prepare the fries ahead of time?
Yes, fry the potatoes ahead and reheat in a hot oven just before topping with cheese and other garnish to melt the cheese again.