Authentic Irish Potato Farls Recipe
Authentic Irish Potato Farls are traditional, golden-brown potato cakes made from simple ingredients including starchy potatoes, flour, and baking powder. Crisply fried in butter, they make a perfect hearty snack or side dish that is deeply rooted in Irish culinary heritage.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (boiling) + 14 minutes (frying)
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 4 large farls 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Frying
- Cuisine: Irish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Potato Farls
- 1 pound (450 g) starchy or floury potatoes
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter (for frying)
- Additional butter, for serving (optional)
- Cook the Potatoes: Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender, which typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Once cooked, drain the water and allow the potatoes to cool slightly.
- Mash the Potatoes: When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel off their skins and mash them in a large bowl until you achieve a smooth consistency free of lumps.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the mashed potatoes, stirring gently to combine until a dough forms. Adjust the amount of flour slightly if the dough is too sticky or dry for handling.
- Shape the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a round disc approximately ¾ inch thick, preparing it for cutting.
- Cut the Farls: Slice the disc into four equal wedges, or alternatively cut into smaller triangles if desired for bite-sized pieces.
- Fry the Farls: Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry each wedge for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until each side is golden brown and crispy. Serve warm with additional butter if preferred.
Notes
- Using starchy or floury potatoes like Russet or King Edward yields the best texture for farls.
- Adjust flour quantity as needed to create a workable dough that is not too sticky or dry.
- Serve farls hot with butter or alongside traditional Irish breakfasts.
- Farls can be reheated in a skillet or oven to retain their crispness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 farl (approx. 120g)
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Irish Potato Farls, Irish Potato Cakes, Traditional Irish Recipes, Potato Snack, Homemade Potato Bread