Irish Potato Farls Recipe

If you’re craving something comfortingly simple yet utterly satisfying, you’ve got to try this Irish Potato Farls Recipe. I absolutely love how these little potato cakes turn out—crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside—and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a cozy dinner side. When I first tried making potato farls, I struggled to get the texture just right, but once I found this method, it was a game changer. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so you can nail them easily and impress anyone at your table!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Irish Potato Farls Recipe come together in a way that’s both traditional and foolproof. Using starchy potatoes is key for that fluffy texture, and the butter adds richness that makes the farls so satisfyingly golden.

• Potatoes: Go for starchy varieties like Russet, Maris Piper, or Roosters—they mash up beautifully.
• All-purpose flour: This helps bind the potatoes without weighing them down.
• Sea salt: Use good-quality sea salt to enhance the natural potato flavor.
• Black pepper: Adds a subtle warmth—don’t skip it!
• Butter: Both for mixing in and cooking—the butter gives that lovely golden crust and flavor.

Variations

While I stick to this classic Irish Potato Farls Recipe most often, I love experimenting a little now and then, especially to suit dietary needs or spice things up a bit. Feel free to make this your own!

• Gluten-Free Version: I tried swapping the flour for a gluten-free blend and it worked surprisingly well—just keep the dough a bit drier.
• Cheesy Potato Farls: Adding grated cheddar to the dough gives a lovely cheesy twist my family couldn’t get enough of.
• Herbed Farls: Fresh chives or parsley folded into the mix adds a nice pop of freshness and color.

How to Make Irish Potato Farls Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Cook Potatoes

First off, peel and chop your potatoes into even chunks. Here’s a little trick: weigh them after chopping for accuracy—it makes a difference in the dough texture. Then, steam or boil your potatoes in a medium pot for about 20-25 minutes until they’re perfectly tender. You’ll know they’re done when a fork easily slides through without resistance.

Step 2: Drain and Mash

Once cooked, drain the potatoes and let them sit in a sieve over a bowl for 5 minutes to dry out slightly. This helps your farls be less wet and sticky. While still warm, press the potatoes through a sieve or rice them using a ricer or masher until light and fluffy. This step is crucial to avoid heavy or gluey farls—trust me, I learned this the hard way!

Step 3: Make the Dough

Add the flour, sea salt, black pepper, and melted butter into the fluffy potatoes. Stir gently until it forms a soft dough ball. Don’t overmix here—you want the dough just combined to keep it light inside.

Step 4: Shape and Cut

Turn your dough onto a lightly floured surface and press it into an 8-inch round disc, about ½ inch thick. Using a large knife, cut the disc into 6 equal farls (think of pie slices). This shape helps them cook evenly and look just like traditional Irish potato farls.

Step 5: Cook to Golden Perfection

Heat a generous knob of butter in a large frying pan over medium heat until it’s bubbling. Place your farls carefully in the pan and cook for about 5 minutes per side or until each side is beautifully golden brown and crisp. You’ll want them crispy enough to have a delightful crunch but still fluffy inside. Use a gentle touch when flipping to keep their shape intact.

How to Serve Irish Potato Farls Recipe

Garnishes

I often top mine with a little extra butter while they’re still hot—can’t resist that melt-in-your-mouth richness! Sometimes I sprinkle chopped fresh chives or a pinch of flaky sea salt to elevate the flavors even more.

Side Dishes

These farls are a perfect match for a traditional Irish breakfast with eggs, sausages, and baked beans. For dinners, I love serving them alongside stews or a hearty vegetable soup—they soak up the sauce beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For something special, I’ve even cut the farls into smaller rounds after cooking and served them as bite-sized appetizers with smoked salmon and a dollop of sour cream. It’s such a crowd-pleaser at family gatherings!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers (which sometimes happens if I’m lucky!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to layer parchment paper between them to keep them from sticking.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen uncooked farls by laying them flat on a baking sheet and freezing until solid, then transferring to freezer bags. When frozen, they keep well for about 3 months and you can cook straight from frozen with a slightly longer frying time.

Reheating

To reheat, pop them in a hot pan with a little butter to revive that crispy crust—microwaving just won’t cut it here because you lose the lovely texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making this Irish Potato Farls Recipe feels like a comforting nod to old traditions, and I love sharing that feeling around my table. It’s one of those recipes that’s simple yet special, perfect for warming you from the inside out. If you’re looking for a hearty, soul-satisfying dish with minimal fuss but maximum flavor, give these farls a try—I promise, you’ll come back for more!

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