Irish Potato Farls Recipe

Introduction

Irish Potato Farls are a classic and comforting treat, perfect for breakfast or as a side. Made with simple ingredients like potatoes and flour, these golden, pan-fried cakes are crispy on the outside and soft inside. Enjoy them warm with butter or alongside your favorite Irish meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (500g) potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (optional)
• Additional butter or oil for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a pot of cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well and allow to cool slightly.
2. Step 2: Mash the potatoes until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. Stir in the melted butter, salt, baking powder, black pepper, and chives if using.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour to the mashed potatoes, mixing until a soft dough forms. You may not need all the flour; the dough should be soft but not sticky.
4. Step 4: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into rounds using a biscuit cutter or into traditional triangular farls by dividing a large circle into quarters.
5. Step 5: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil. Cook the farls for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Serve warm with butter, or as part of a traditional Irish breakfast.

Tips & Variations

• Use waxy potatoes for a firmer texture or floury potatoes for a softer result.
• Add finely chopped herbs like parsley or thyme to vary the flavor.
• For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• Cook farls in a mix of butter and oil to prevent burning and add richness.

Storage

Store leftover farls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to maintain their crispness or warm in the oven. For longer storage, freeze cooked farls wrapped individually and reheat from frozen.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use leftover mashed potatoes to make farls?

Yes, leftover mashed potatoes work well, but ensure they are not too wet. You may need to adjust the flour amount to achieve the right dough consistency.

What can I serve with Irish Potato Farls?

They pair beautifully with a full Irish breakfast including eggs, sausages, and bacon, or simply enjoy them with butter and jam for a lighter option.

Irish Potato Farls Recipe

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4.6 from 104 reviews

Irish Potato Farls are a traditional Irish bread made from mashed potatoes, flour, and seasonings, then pan-fried until golden and delicious. This simple and comforting recipe features soft, savory potato bread that pairs wonderfully with butter or a classic Irish breakfast.

• Author: Logan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 farls 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Irish
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potato Farls Dough

• 1 pound (500g) potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (optional)

For Cooking

• Additional butter or oil for frying

Instructions

1. Boil Potatoes: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a pot of cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well and allow to cool slightly.
2. Mash Potatoes: Mash the potatoes until smooth, making sure there are no lumps. Stir in the melted butter, salt, baking powder, black pepper, and optional chives for added flavor.
3. Mix Dough: Gradually add the flour to the mashed potato mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be soft but not sticky, and you may not need all the flour.
4. Shape Farls: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into rounds using a biscuit cutter or divide the large circle into four to create traditional triangular farls.
5. Cook Farls: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil. Cook the farls for 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through.
6. Serve: Serve the farls warm with butter, or as part of a traditional Irish breakfast.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, use butter both in the dough and for frying.
• The chives are optional but add a fresh, mild onion flavor typical in Irish cooking.
• Make sure the potatoes are well-drained and slightly cooled before mashing to avoid a watery dough.
• You can store uncooked dough in the fridge for up to 24 hours and cook fresh when ready.
• Farls can be reheated in a skillet or toaster for a quick snack.

Keywords: Irish potato farls, Irish bread, traditional Irish breakfast, potato bread, pan-fried bread