Recipe: 3-Ingredient Sheet Pan Cajun Spiced Potatoes

updated Feb 3, 2020
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Credit: Joe Lingeman

Red potatoes are coated in Cajun seasoning and a few dashes of cayenne pepper hot sauce, then baked until hot and crisp.

Serves8

Prep15 minutes

Cook50 minutes

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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Three ingredients are all it takes to transport you deep into Cajun country. In this easy recipe, small cubes of red potatoes are coated in Cajun seasoning and a few dashes of cayenne pepper hot sauce (plus kitchen freebies like olive oil and salt), then spread onto a sheet pan and baked until hot and crisp. Served alongside eggs for breakfast, these spicy taters will wake you right up.

(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Red Potatoes Are Best for Sheet Pan Home Fries

Small red potatoes are your best bet when it comes to sheet pan-style home fries. They’re classified as waxy (as opposed to starchy baking or Idaho potatoes), which means they hold together when baked, resulting in tender, creamy potatoes encased in a crispy golden crust that I bet you thought you could only get by frying. If you can’t find small red potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes are your next best choice.

Season Spuds with Twice the Spice

Look for a salt-free Cajun seasoning blend that contains onion, garlic, thyme, cayenne, and paprika (or make your own using the spice blend here). Cajun seasoning mixes are packed with flavor from the mixture of herbs and spices, but often don’t deliver on the heat level I crave when eating Cajun food. For that, I use a few dashes of hot sauce. I start with one teaspoon when I’ve got a more concentrated bottle, like Tabasco, on hand. If you keep an all-purpose hot sauce, like Frank’s, in your pantry, don’t be scared to toss in a full tablespoon of the sauce.

3-Ingredient Sheet Pan Cajun Spiced Potatoes

Red potatoes are coated in Cajun seasoning and a few dashes of cayenne pepper hot sauce, then baked until hot and crisp.

Prep time 15 minutes

Cook time 50 minutes

Serves 8

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds

    red potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

  • 1/4 cup

    olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon

    salt-free Cajun seasoning

  • 2 teaspoons

    kosher salt

  • 1 to 3 teaspoons

    cayenne pepper sauce

Instructions

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  1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F.

  2. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and toss until the potatoes are well-coated. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet, making sure to scrape the bowl to transfer all of the oil and seasoning onto the baking sheet, and spread into a single layer.

  3. Bake, flipping the potatoes with a thin metal spatula every 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the edges are browned and crisp, about 50 minutes total. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: Cut potatoes and submerge in water (to prevent discoloration) for up to 2 hours in advance. Drain and dry thoroughly before seasoning and baking.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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(Image credit: The Kitchn)