Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (2024)

Breakfast

4.77 from 72 votes

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If you want a true Irish breakfast, you need to make my Authentic Irish Potato Farls —they're perfectly savory when fried up and served next to eggs, tomatoes, and bacon!

By Gemma Stafford | | 94

Last updated on January 22, 2024

Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (1)

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WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE:Authentic Irish Potato Farls are so simple, quick, and tasty that you won’t evenbelieve! With ONLY 4 ingredients and 30 minutes, youcan start your day right!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was updated and improved on 2/24/2023, to includedetailedexplanation of ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions and related Irish recipes.

Potato Farls are something I grew up with in Ireland. My mum used to make them using leftover mashed potato and cook them off for breakfast as part of a traditional fry. I haven’t had them in donkey’s years but the moment I ate these I was transported back to our kitchen in the house where I grew up. If you are Irish, you will be familiar with these, if you are not then you just found a new recipe that will give you a little taste of Irish culture and cuisine.

If you love Irish recipes, you definitely need to try my Irish Soda Bread, Irish Apple Cake, and Best-Ever Irish Scones!

Table Of Content

  • What Is A Potato Farl (or Fadge)?
  • Tools You Need
  • Potato Farls Ingredients
  • How To Make Potato Farls
  • How Do I Store Potato Farls?
  • FAQs
  • Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
  • Make More Irish Recipes!

What Is A Potato Farl (or Fadge)?

A potato Farl goes by many names! It’s also known as potato fadge, potato cakes, griddle cakes, and boxty. It originated out of a way to use up leftover mashed potatoes from the dinner the night before. Made with cupboard staples, it’s a humble recipe that might not seem like much but boy are they delicious.

Potato Farls Ingredients

  • Potatoes: Fluffy, floury potatoes are essential for this recipe. Basically, the same potatoes that you use for making mashed potatoes. I recommend Maris Piper, Roosters, and Russets.
  • All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour has the perfect amount of gluten to bind with potatoes, lighten the texture and extend the dough. Use gluten-free all-purpose blend flour if needed!
  • Salt and pepper: Salt and pepper are the simplest yet best seasoning for Irish Potato Farls.
  • Butter: Butter enriches Potato Farls’ taste and creates golden brown crispy skin.

Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (2)

How To Make Potato Cakes (Farls)

This wonderful Irish breakfast is simple, quick, and so tasty you won’t even believe it. Here’s how you make my potato cakes(and don’t forget to get the full recipe with measurements, on the page down below):

  1. Peel, chop, and weigh the potatoes.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium/low heat, steam or boil the cubed potatoes until tender, roughly 20-25 minutes. This makes them much, much easier to work with, too!
  3. Once tender remove the potatoes from the pot and place them in a sieve over a bowl. Allow them to hang out here for 5 minutes to cool slightly and to let some of the moisture evaporate.
  4. While still hot, pass the potatoes through the sieve. If you don’t have a sieve you can use a potato ricer or potato masher to mash the potatoes either.
  5. Into the potatoes, add in the flour, salt, pepper, and melted butter. Stir the dough together until it forms a ball. Like any dough take care not to over mix it so you get fluffy Farls.
  6. Flatten the dough into an 8 inch round disconto a lightly floured surface. Using a large knife cut the disc into 6 pieces.
  7. Melt a big knob of butter in a large frying pan or skillet over medium heat until bubbling. Carefully add the potato farls and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until a lovely golden brown. Flip them over and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side. They should be crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle.
  8. Serve immediately while hot as part of a traditional Irish breakfast or simply on their own.

Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (3)

How do I store Potato Farls?

Storing/Freezing/Reheating – These farls will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat them on the hob or in the oven. You can freeze these, I would freeze them before cooking. Lay them out on a baking tray then pop it in the freezer for an hour. Transfer them to a freezer bag or container, in layers. I would place some parchment paper between each one to stop them from sticking together. Cook from frozen on the hob or in the oven.

FAQs

What are the best potatoes for making Irish Potato Farls?

Fluffy, floury potatoes that you use for making mashed potatoes. I recommend Maris Piper, Roosters, and Russets.

Can you freeze Potato Farls?

Yes, you can! Before cooking, lay them out on a baking tray then pop it in the freezer for an hour. Transfer them to a freezer bag or container in layers with parchment paper between each one to stop them from sticking together. Cook from frozen on the hob or in the oven.

Gemma’s Prof-Chef Tips For Making Potato Cakes

  • Peel and chop the potatoes and then measure them.
  • Pass the potatoes through the sieve while hot. If they cool down too much they become very difficult to mash and can become gluey.
  • What potatoes do you use? A floury type of potato that is good for mashing eg/ Roosters, Maris Pipers and Russet potatoes
  • Can I use leftover mashed potatoes? yes BUT only if they are not already mixed with lots of butter and milk. The potato has to be firm.
  • Make, cut, and freeze the potato Farls uncooked. Then just cook them off whenever you want them.

Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (4)

  • Gemma’s Best-Ever Irish Scones
  • Mum’s Irish Apple Cake
  • Mum’s Traditional Irish Soda Bread
  • Traditional Irish Barmbrack
  • Aunty Rosaleen’s Irish Christmas Cake

And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was updated and improved on 2/24/2023, to includedetailedexplanation of ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions and related Irish recipes.

Try These Recipes!

Wholesome Breakfast Pizza Recipe (No-Knead)
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Healthy Bran Muffins Recipe
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Watch The Recipe Video!

Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe

4.77 from 72 votes

Print Recipe

If you want a true Irish breakfast, make my Authentic Irish Potato Farls recipe —perfectly fried up and served next to eggs and bacon!

Author: Gemma Stafford

Servings: 6 people

  • Breakfast
  • Egg-Free

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

If you want a true Irish breakfast, make my Authentic Irish Potato Farls recipe —perfectly fried up and served next to eggs and bacon!

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (650g/1lb 7oz) 3 medium potatoes (Russet, Maris Piper, Roosters)
  • ¾ cup (4oz/115g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons (1oz/28g) butter (plus more for cooking)

Instructions

  • Peel and chop your potatoes and THEN weigh them for the recipe. It is more accurate this way.

  • Steam or boil the cubed potatoes in a medium pot until tender, roughly 20-25 minutes.

  • Remove the potatoes from the pot and place them in a sieve over a bowl, allowing them to dry off slightly for 5 minutes.

  • While still hot, pass the potatoes through the sieve to yield light, fluffy potatoes. If you don't have a sieve you can use a ricer or masher to mash the potatoes either.

  • Into the potatoes, add in the flour, salt, pepper, and melted butter. Stir the dough together until it forms a ball.

  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and flatten it into an 8 inch round disc. Using a large knife cut the disc into 6 pieces.

  • Melt a big knob of butter in a large frying pan or skillet over medium heat until bubbling. Carefully add the potato farls and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until a lovely golden brown. Flip them over and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side. They should be crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle.

  • Serve immediately while hot as part of a traditional Irish breakfast or simply on their own.

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (11)

Fathima Inaz

2 years ago

Hi Gemma
I know that you like Indian food, being an Indian it makes me so happy. So I thought why not try some Irish food. I went ahead and tried these and they were so good everyone liked it very much. Thank you for sharing your culture and other wonderful recipes. I will keep waiting for the wonderful recipes you have.
P.S – I was just wondering if you were a left hander (I am one too) cause I have noticed in a lot of your videos that you use your left hand.
Thanks once again Inaz

Last edited 2 years ago by Fathima Inaz

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (12)

Fogo

1 year ago

Delicious but the addition of a teaspoon or more of Onion Powder really adds that extra zing to them.
Also try finely chopped white part of spring onions and a sprinkling of fresh chopped Parsley

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (13)

Gilly

1 year ago

Hi Gemma, my Grandmother (from Lancashire, with Irish connections) made these with leftover potatoes/mash, with egg or without. Mum and G’ma called them potato cakes but they were usually baked in the oven. It’s good to see how well they fry – I’m more tempted to make some now! I do have a question pls. If grated onion is added to the mix, then will frying be enough to cook in the onion, or might it be a bit raw still?

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (14)

Mary Ann McLaughlin

1 year ago

I have been making potato farl for years, but my Irish grandparents called it potato bread. If want to kick this up a notch after the basic preparation of browning the farl you should fry it in bacon fat and then top with butter. Obviously not the most healthy choice but that is the way the Irish make it.

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (15)

Rachelll

3 years ago

Hi gemma, I try it and it taste really good..
thanks for it

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (16)

Kathy

1 year ago

Hi Gemma, Getting ready to fry these up and wonder if they can be frozen before frying for later use. Or have you tried to freeze some after frying and then reheated? Thank you.

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (17)

Gina

2 years ago

Hi Gemma, could this be made with any other flour? Such as Almond, Coconut, Tapioca or Oat? ty

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (18)

Susan Dooley

2 years ago

My mom & grandmother taught me to make something very similar to this, they used leftover mashed potatoes that had some milk & butter in them. Since it was the next day they were cold, we added egg, salt, pepper & some chopped onion!! Then cooked the same way, except these were Pattie’s. Not sure why or if I’d heard wrong…but I’ve always called them potato cats 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (19)

Kim

2 years ago

Hi gemma,I just finished making your potato farls,we love and enjoyed eating them.It didn’t look exactly like the farls that you made but they still taste really good with katchup on them.

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (20)

AnjaAnjaAnja

2 years ago

That looks great, I will definitely try it! It seems every country has its potato pancakes. In Slovenia, we have this sort of very thin patties, in Slovakia they have actual pancakes, in Czech Republic they have this fat patties and I also ate something like that from a Ukranian recipe, I think. Potatos are the best!

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About Us

Meet Gemma

Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (21)

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

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Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (22)

Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe - (2024)

FAQs

What are potato farls made of? ›

Potato Farls is just mashed potatoes kneaded with some flour, butter, salt, and pepper, then fried up into tasty little pieces, making them the perfect recipe for the day after Thanksgiving!

Where did potato farls originate? ›

Potato farls originated in Ireland as a way to use leftover mashed potatoes from dinner the night before. Using leftovers makes this dish quick, easy, and delicious! Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day (or any day) with this recipe!

What is the composition of Irish potatoes? ›

Irish potato has a crude protein of 13.28 % which is higher than 11.06% and 11.33% Kpanja et al Page 6 219 reported for yam peels by (15) and (4), respectively. It has a crude fibre content of 5.26%, which is lower than 6.04% and 6.3% reported by (15) and (6) for yam peels.

How to cook Irish potatoes? ›

Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain.

What is the difference between potato farls and bread? ›

Irish potato bread is made from mashed potatoes, flour, and buttermilk, and it is typically baked in a loaf. It is a soft bread that has a slightly moist texture and a mild potato flavor. Potato farls, on the other hand, are made from grated raw potatoes, flour, and butter.

Are potato scones the same as potato farls? ›

We call them potato scones (or, more often, tattie scones) here in Scotland, while our friends in Ireland call them potato farls. They're the same thing – I don't know who made them first though!

Are potatoes German or Irish? ›

While potatoes have become synonymous with German cuisine, their origins lie far from European shores. The Andes mountains in South America are the birthplace of the potato. It was only in the 16th century that this versatile crop made its way to European lands.

What is the history of farls? ›

Farl is a shorter form of fardel, the word once used in some parts of Lowland Scotland for "a three-cornered cake, usually oatcake, generally the fourth part of a round". In earlier Scots fardell meant a fourth or quarter.

Is potato bread Irish or Scottish? ›

Potato bread is traditionally eaten in both Ireland and Scotland, and is variously called potato bread, potato scones or tattie scones, depending on where you grew up, or according to family custom.

Why are Irish potatoes so good? ›

Ireland has rather cool summers and somewhat mild winters. Potatoes are native to South America, and North America is connected, so there are many natural predators and diseases in the Americas. Overall, it is easier to grow potatoes in Ireland or the Andes than in the US,and they will likely be of better quality.

How healthy is Irish potato? ›

Consuming potassium-rich foods like Irish potatoes can help reduce the risk of hypertension and lower the chances of heart disease and stroke. Immune System Support: Irish potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is known for its immune-boosting properties.

What potatoes do they eat in Ireland? ›

Ireland's primary potato variety of yore, the Irish Lumper, is a white potato that is more waxy than starchy, and so mashed potatoes made from these varieties fare better as smashed, rather than emulsified, providing ideal conditions for hearty mix-ins.

Why do you put baking soda in potatoes? ›

I love it when cooking involves a bit of a science experiment. In this case, research suggested adding baking soda to the pot when parboiling potatoes; having water of higher alkalinity than usual helps the outside edges of the potatoes break down more, opening up the possibility of a crisper outside texture.

What is a potato called in Irish? ›

The Irish language is very descriptive the common word for potato in Irish is práta (pl. prátaí), hence the origin of Praties for Potatoes, There are literally 50 Irish words and descriptive phrases relating to the potato.

Should I peel Irish potatoes? ›

Mpiima warns that not all varieties of Irish potatoes are nutritious. “Those with green skins contain a high percentage of antinutrients, which are chemicals in foods that hinder digestion and absorption of certain nutrients,” he says. It is advisable to peel off the skin after cooking such varieties of potatoes.

Where do potato patties come from? ›

Potato cakes are common in the United Kingdom. Although many Americans associate potato pancakes with Hanukkah, they have more broad origins. They originated in the eastern European countries of Germany Austria, Russia and Poland as a peasant food.

Why are they called fondant potatoes? ›

They originate from the French word 'fondant,' which means 'melting,' an apt description for the soft, tender, and creamy potatoes that are a signature of this dish.

Are Mcdonald's buns made from potatoes? ›

Regular Bun: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Salt, Wheat Gluten, Potato Flour, May Contain One or More Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes), Vinegar.

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