Description
Irish Potato Farls are a traditional Irish potato bread made from leftover mashed potatoes, flour, salt, and butter. Shaped into quarters, these flatbreads are pan-fried to perfection, yielding a golden, crisp outside with a soft, fluffy interior. They are a staple in Irish cuisine, especially popular in an Ulster Fry breakfast, and carry cultural significance as a symbol of resourcefulness and comfort. Simple to make and versatile, they pair well with eggs, meats, or can be enjoyed as a snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Potato Dough
- 2 cups (about 1 pound) mashed potatoes, cooled
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooled mashed potatoes, all-purpose flour, salt, and melted butter. Stir thoroughly until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Lightly flour a clean work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Gently knead just until smooth, careful not to overwork the dough to keep the texture tender.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll the kneaded dough into a large circle about 1/4 inch thick, ensuring an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Cut into Farls: Using a sharp knife or dough cutter, divide the circle into four equal wedges, traditionally called farls.
- Heat Skillet: Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. No oil or butter is necessary as farls contain butter already.
- Cook Farls: Place each farl into the heated skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Cook until golden brown on the outside and slightly crisp, while remaining soft inside.
- Serve Warm: Serve the potato farls warm, ideally with additional butter, eggs, or your preferred breakfast items for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use cooled mashed potatoes for best dough consistency.
- Do not over-knead the dough to prevent tough farls.
- Farls can be made ahead and frozen; reheat in a skillet before serving.
- They pair well with a variety of toppings including butter, jam, smoked salmon, or sausages.
- Adjust the flour quantity slightly if the dough is too sticky or dry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Irish
Keywords: Irish Potato Farls, Potato Bread, Irish Breakfast, Ulster Fry, Traditional Irish Food, Potato Flatbread, Easy Breakfast Recipe
