Irish Potato Farls Recipe

Introduction

Irish Potato Farls are a traditional and comforting staple of Irish cuisine, turning simple mashed potatoes into a crispy, golden bread. These quartered potato breads are soft inside and perfect for breakfast or any meal, enjoyed with butter, eggs, or your favorite toppings.

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 cooled 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 do not overwork it.
3. Step 3: Roll the dough into a circle about 1/4 inch thick.
4. Step 4: Cut the circle into four equal wedges, known as farls.
5. Step 5: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat without oil.
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 alongside your favorite breakfast items.

Tips & Variations

• Use leftover mashed potatoes for easy preparation and enhanced flavor.
• If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, but avoid adding too much to keep farls tender.
• For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives to the dough.
• Serve farls as a side for meats or topped with jam or honey for a sweet twist.

Storage

Store leftover potato farls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to restore their crispness, or warm in a toaster oven. They can also be frozen for up to a 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 or leftover real mashed potatoes for the best texture and flavor. Instant mashed potatoes may not bind as well and can affect the dough consistency.

Do I need to add oil or butter when cooking the farls?

No, the dough contains butter, and a non-stick skillet or griddle is sufficient to cook farls without additional oil. This helps achieve a crisp outside without excess greasiness.

Irish Potato Farls Recipe

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4.6 from 91 reviews

• Author: Ella
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Irish Potato Farls are a traditional Irish potato bread made from leftover mashed potatoes, flour, and butter. These farls are shaped into quarters, cooked on a skillet until golden and crisp on the outside, while remaining soft and fluffy inside. They are a comforting and hearty staple of Irish cuisine, often served at breakfast with butter or eggs.

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Ingredients

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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

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Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooled mashed potatoes, flour, salt, and melted butter until a dough forms.
2. Knead Dough: Lightly flour a work surface and turn the dough out. Gently knead until smooth but not overworked, maintaining softness.
3. Shape Dough: Roll the dough into a circle about 1/4 inch thick to prepare for cutting.
4. Divide Dough: Cut the rolled dough circle into four equal wedges, known as farls.
5. Preheat Skillet: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat without adding any oil or butter.
6. Cook Farls: Place each farl on the hot skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes per side or until they develop a golden brown crust and become slightly crisp.
7. Serve Warm: Remove the farls from the skillet and serve warm with butter, eggs, or other preferred breakfast items.

Notes

• Use cooled mashed potatoes to prevent the dough from becoming too sticky.
• Do not over-knead the dough to keep the texture light and fluffy.
• Cooking without oil gives the farls their characteristic crispness and slight char.
• Farls can be served plain or with butter, jam, or as part of a traditional Ulster Fry breakfast.
• Leftover farls can be reheated on a skillet or in a toaster for best texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Bread
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Irish

Keywords: Irish Potato Farls, potato bread, traditional Irish recipe, mashed potato bread, Ulster Fry component, breakfast bread