Crawfish Fries with Creamy Queso Sauce is a fun, flavorful, and indulgent dish that combines crispy fries with spicy crawfish and a creamy, cheesy queso sauce. This dish is perfect as an appetizer, side, or even a main meal. Here’s a recipe to make this delicious dish at home:
Crawfish Fries with Creamy Queso Sauce
Ingredients:
For the Fries:
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into fries (or frozen fries if you prefer)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
For the Crawfish:
- 1 lb crawfish tails (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp Cajun seasoning (or more to taste)
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
For the Queso Sauce:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (or more for desired consistency)
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese (optional, for creaminess)
- 1-2 tbsp pickled jalapeños (or to taste), chopped (optional for some heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Prepare the fries:
- Option 1: Fresh fries: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the peeled, cut potatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Toss to coat evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Option 2: Frozen fries: Bake the frozen fries according to the package instructions until they’re crispy and golden.
2. Prepare the crawfish:
- In a large skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the crawfish tails to the skillet, then sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the crawfish are cooked through and coated with the seasoning. Set aside.
3. Make the queso sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute, until it forms a smooth roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking, and continue to cook until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack (if using) to the sauce, whisking until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. If you want a spicier sauce, add chopped pickled jalapeños. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can add a bit more milk to reach your desired consistency.
4. Assemble the Crawfish Fries:
- Once the fries are done, place them on a large serving platter.
- Spoon the cooked crawfish mixture evenly over the fries.
- Drizzle the creamy queso sauce generously over the top of the crawfish and fries.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a side of extra queso for dipping or a spicy ranch dressing if you like.
- You can also add extra toppings like sliced green onions, chopped tomatoes, or a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning.
Enjoy:
Dig in and enjoy these Crawfish Fries with Creamy Queso Sauce—a comforting, indulgent dish full of rich flavors that will leave everyone asking for more!