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Irish Potato Farls Recipe

4.7 from 141 reviews

Irish Potato Farls are a traditional Irish quick bread made from leftover mashed potatoes, flour, salt, and butter. Rolled into a circle and cut into quarters, these farls are pan-fried until golden brown and crisp on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy inside. They are a beloved staple of Irish cuisine, often served with breakfast, and can be enjoyed with a variety of savory or sweet accompaniments.

Ingredients

Scale

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. Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, flour, salt, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
  2. Knead the dough: Lightly flour a work surface and turn the dough out. Gently knead it until smooth, being careful not to overwork to maintain tenderness.
  3. Shape the farls: Roll the dough into a circle approximately 1/4 inch thick using a rolling pin or your hands.
  4. Cut into quarters: Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the dough circle into four equal wedges, called farls.
  5. Heat skillet: Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. No additional oil or butter is needed as the farls have butter already.
  6. Cook farls: Place each farl on the heated skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside.
  7. Serve warm: Serve the potato farls warm with butter, eggs, or your favorite breakfast items for a traditional and satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Use cooled mashed potatoes for best dough consistency.
  • You can dust your work surface and dough lightly with flour to prevent sticking.
  • Do not over-knead the dough to keep the farls tender inside.
  • Leftover farls can be frozen and reheated in a skillet or oven.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, though texture may vary.
  • Add herbs like chives or parsley for extra flavor if desired.

Keywords: Irish potato farls, potato bread, traditional Irish recipe, breakfast bread, mashed potato recipe, pan-fried bread