Irish Potato Farls Recipe

Introduction

Irish Potato Farls are a simple yet hearty potato bread that bring a taste of traditional Irish comfort food to your breakfast table. Made from mashed potatoes and flour, these golden, crispy-on-the-outside farls are perfect served warm with butter or eggs. They’re a delightful way to transform leftover mashed potatoes into something special.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (about 1 pound) mashed potatoes (cooled)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, flour, salt, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms.
2. Step 2: Lightly flour a work surface and turn the dough out. Gently knead until smooth but not overworked.
3. Step 3: Roll the dough into a circle about 1/4 inch thick.
4. Step 4: Cut the circle into quarters (farls).
5. Step 5: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat (no oil needed).
6. Step 6: Cook each farl for 3–4 minutes per side or until golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside.
7. Step 7: Serve warm with butter, eggs, or your favorite breakfast items.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of black pepper or chopped fresh herbs like parsley to the dough.
• Use leftover mashed potatoes with no added milk or butter to control the dough consistency better.
• If you prefer a crispier texture, cook the farls a little longer on each side, watching carefully to avoid burning.
• Serve with traditional accompaniments like smoked bacon, sausages, or baked beans for a full Ulster Fry experience.

Storage

Store cooled farls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them gently in a skillet over low heat until heated through and crisp again. Farls can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant mashed potatoes to make farls?

It’s best to use homemade mashed potatoes without added milk or butter for the best texture, but instant mashed potatoes can work if prepared plain and allowed to cool completely.

What can I serve with Irish potato farls?

Farls are delicious alongside eggs, bacon, sausages, or baked beans. They also pair well with butter, jam, or honey for a simpler option.

Irish Potato Farls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 97 reviews

Irish Potato Farls are a traditional Irish potato bread made by combining leftover mashed potatoes with flour, salt, and butter, then pan-fried until golden and crispy on the outside while soft and fluffy inside. This simple yet hearty dish is a staple of Irish cuisine, often enjoyed as part of an Ulster Fry breakfast or alongside other breakfast favorites, offering a taste of Irish culinary heritage and comfort food.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Irish
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potato Farls

• 2 cups (about 1 pound) mashed potatoes (cooled)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled mashed potatoes, all-purpose flour, salt, and melted butter until a uniform dough forms, ensuring all components are well incorporated.
2. Knead the Dough: Lightly flour a clean work surface and turn the potato dough out onto it. Gently knead the dough just until it becomes smooth without overworking, preserving its tender texture.
3. Roll Out the Dough: Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a circle about 1/4 inch thick, making sure it’s even in thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
4. Cut into Farls: Slice the dough circle into four equal wedges, known as farls, using a knife or bench scraper.
5. Heat the Skillet: Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. No oil or additional fat is needed as the farls have butter in the dough.
6. Cook the Farls: Place the farls onto the hot skillet, cooking each side for 3–4 minutes until they develop a golden brown and slightly crisp crust while remaining soft inside.
7. Serve Warm: Remove from heat and serve the farls warm, optionally with butter, eggs, or your choice of breakfast accompaniments.

Notes

• Use cooled mashed potatoes to prevent the dough from becoming too sticky.
• Do not over-knead the dough to keep the farls tender.
• If the dough is too sticky, dust your hands and work surface with additional flour.
• Serve immediately for the best texture; they can also be reheated gently in a skillet or toaster.
• Farls can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: Irish Potato Farls, Potato Bread, Traditional Irish Recipe, Breakfast Potato Cake, Ulster Fry Side, Pan-fried Potato Bread