Make traditional Irish Potato Farls using mashed potatoes, flour, and butter. These simple potato cakes are pan-fried until golden brown, offering a crispy exterior and soft center, perfect for a classic Irish breakfast.
Author:katereilly
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:12 min
Total Time:22 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Breakfast
Method:Pan-Frying
Cuisine:Irish
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups cold mashed potatoes (plain, no milk or cream added)
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
Extra flour for dusting
Butter or oil for frying
Instructions
Place the cold mashed potatoes in a large bowl. If your potatoes are very dry, you may need slightly more butter or a splash of water later.
Add the 1 cup of flour and salt to the potatoes. Add the melted butter.
Mix the ingredients by hand until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour. Turn the dough out onto the surface.
Knead the dough gently for about 1 minute until it comes together smoothly.
Pat or roll the dough into a circle about 1/2 inch thick.
Use a knife or bench scraper to cut the circle into four equal wedges (farls). You can also use a round cutter for traditional round shapes.
Heat a dry skillet or griddle over medium heat. You can add a small amount of butter or oil if you prefer a richer fry, but traditionally they are cooked dry or with very little fat.
Place the farls on the hot griddle. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and slightly crisp.
Remove from the heat and serve immediately.
Notes
Using cold, leftover mashed potatoes works best for achieving the correct texture. Avoid freshly made, hot, or overly wet potatoes.
For a richer flavor, you can use up to 4 tablespoons of butter in the dough mixture.
Serve these potato farls warm with butter, jam, or alongside eggs and bacon for a full Irish breakfast experience.