If you have ever tried traditional Irish breakfasts, you know that the humble Irish Potato Bread, or Irish Farls, holds a special place at the table. This delicious, rustic bread is delightfully simple yet incredibly satisfying, made with just a handful of ingredients that come together to create a soft, buttery treat with a crisp golden crust. The Irish Potato Bread (Irish Farls) Recipe brings the heart of Ireland’s comfort food right into your kitchen, offering a warm, nostalgic bite that pairs beautifully with everything from eggs to smoked salmon. Trust me, once you make this classic recipe, it might just become your new favorite staple for breakfast and beyond.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind Irish Potato Bread (Irish Farls) lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient is handpicked to contribute to the bread’s tender texture, its subtle buttery richness, and its rustic yet inviting flavor. You don’t need a long list—just the essentials that work harmoniously to make this recipe truly shine.
- 750 grams (1.65 lbs) potatoes: The star ingredient providing moisture and softness to the bread’s crumb.
- 30 grams (6 teaspoons) butter, melted: Adds a rich, buttery flavor and tenderizes the dough.
- 225 grams (1 ½ cups) plain flour: Gives structure and helps form the dough into shape.
- Good pinch of salt (optional if using salted butter): Enhances the flavors perfectly without overpowering.
- Extra butter and olive oil for frying: Creates a golden, crispy crust with a subtle savory note.
How to Make Irish Potato Bread (Irish Farls) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Start by peeling and cutting the potatoes into large chunks. Place them in a pot of cold water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a gentle simmer, cooking the potatoes until they are tender all the way through. Properly cooked potatoes are key to ensuring the bread’s soft, fluffy texture.
Step 2: Mash the Potatoes
Drain the potatoes and leave them to cool slightly. Then, either use a potato ricer for a smooth mash or a masher for a slightly rustic texture. Your goal is to achieve a lump-free mash that will blend seamlessly with the other ingredients.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients and Form Dough
Add melted butter, flour, and salt to the potatoes, mixing everything with a spoon until the dough starts to come together. Then, knead by hand until you get a smooth but slightly sticky dough. If it feels too sticky, gradually add a little more flour until manageable. This step ensures the perfect balance between softness and structure.
Step 4: Shape and Roll the Dough
On a floured surface, divide the dough into six equal portions and shape each into a ball. Lightly flour your rolling pin and roll each ball out to your preferred thickness—about 3mm for thin farls or half a centimeter for thicker slices. Cut each rolled dough circle into four equal quarters, the traditional shape for Irish Farls.
Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil with a knob of butter. When the butter melts, gently place the dough pieces in the pan. Fry each side until beautifully golden and cooked through, turning carefully to avoid breaking. Keep cooked farls warm in the oven, covered in foil, while you finish cooking the rest.
How to Serve Irish Potato Bread (Irish Farls) Recipe
Garnishes
Irish Potato Bread (Irish Farls) is delightful on its own, but adding a smear of real butter while warm elevates the experience instantly. For a fresh contrast, a sprinkle of chopped fresh chives or a drizzle of honey creates a wonderful balance of savory and sweet.
Side Dishes
This bread is a fantastic partner to a traditional Ulster Fry, with its crispy bacon, sausages, eggs, and black pudding. It’s also perfect alongside creamy smoked salmon, tangy sour cream, or a simple serving of sautéed mushrooms. The bread’s mild potato flavor complements many breakfast favorites and even hearty stews.
Creative Ways to Present
For a more modern twist, try stacking farls with melted cheese and sautéed onions for an indulgent snack. You can also cut them into smaller pieces, fry until crisp, and serve as a base for canapés topped with smoked fish or fresh herbs. The versatility of this Irish Potato Bread (Irish Farls) Recipe means your creativity can run wild!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover farls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, keep them in the fridge and bring them back to room temperature or reheat before serving.
Freezing
Irish Potato Bread freezes beautifully. Once cooled, place individual farls on a baking tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a resealable freezer bag. They keep well for up to three months and can be easily reheated when needed.
Reheating
To enjoy farls with their crisp exterior restored, reheat in a lightly buttered pan over medium heat for a few minutes on each side. Alternatively, warming them in the oven wrapped in foil prevents drying out. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make them rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for this recipe?
Sweet potatoes can be a tasty alternative, though they will give the bread a different flavor and slightly softer texture. If you try this, reduce added butter slightly as sweet potatoes are moister than regular potatoes.
Is it necessary to use a potato ricer?
Not at all! A ricer provides the smoothest mash, making the dough easier to work with, but a regular masher will do just fine as long as you ensure there are no big lumps.
Can I add herbs or cheese to this Irish Potato Bread (Irish Farls) Recipe?
Absolutely! Adding chopped fresh herbs like thyme or chives, or mixing in grated cheese, is a fantastic way to give your farls an extra burst of flavor. Just fold them into the dough before shaping.
What is the best type of pan to fry Irish Potato Bread?
A non-stick frying pan is ideal as it requires less oil and helps achieve an even golden crust without sticking. A cast iron skillet also works well if properly seasoned.
Are Irish Farls gluten-free?
Traditional Irish Farls are not gluten-free because they include plain flour. However, you could experiment with gluten-free flour blends, though results may vary in texture and taste.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about making Irish Potato Bread (Irish Farls) Recipe at home—it’s comforting, nostalgic, and surprisingly easy. Whether you’re assembling a full Irish breakfast or simply craving a warm snack, this recipe offers a delightful, authentic taste of Ireland that never fails to please. Go ahead and give it a try; I promise it will become a cherished part of your cooking repertoire.
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Irish Potato Bread (Irish Farls) Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Traditional Irish Potato Bread, also known as Irish Farls, is a simple and hearty bread made from potatoes, flour, butter, and salt. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, these flatbreads are a perfect accompaniment to a classic Ulster Fry or enjoyed on their own. This recipe by Sara McCleary guides you through making authentic Irish Farls with just four basic ingredients, offering easy ways to add flavor if desired.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 750 grams (1.65 lbs) potatoes
- 30 grams (6 teaspoons) butter, melted
- 225 grams (1 ½ cups) plain flour
- Good pinch of salt (omit if using salted butter)
- Extra butter and olive oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and cut the potatoes into quarters or large chunks. Place them into a large pot of cold water.
- Cook the Potatoes: Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce to a hard simmer. Cook the potatoes until tender and fully cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
- Drain and Cool: Strain the cooked potatoes through a colander and allow them to cool until they are cool enough to handle.
- Mash the Potatoes: Use a potato ricer or a masher to mash the potatoes into a large bowl, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add Other Ingredients: To the mashed potatoes, add the melted butter, plain flour, and salt. If you want to customize, now is the time to add cheese, sautéed onion, or herbs.
- Mix the Dough: Stir the mixture with a spoon until it becomes difficult to mix, then knead the dough in the bowl with your hands until combined. Add extra flour if the dough is too sticky.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead quickly until smooth. Dust with additional flour as needed to manage stickiness.
- Portion the Dough: Divide the dough into six equal portions and shape each into a ball.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball to desired thickness—3mm for thin or 0.5cm for thicker farls.
- Shape the Farls: Cut each rolled dough piece into quarters or cook whole for larger potato breads.
- Heat the Pan: Place a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil and a dollop of butter.
- Cook the Farls: Once the butter melts, fry the pieces of dough in the pan until golden brown on one side, then flip and cook the other side until golden and cooked through.
- Keep Warm: Place cooked farls on a tray in a low oven covered with aluminum foil to keep warm and prevent drying.
- Finish Cooking: Continue frying the remaining dough pieces, adding more butter and oil to the pan as needed.
Notes
- Flavour Enhancers: Enhance the dough by adding grated cheese, sautéed onions, or fresh herbs such as chives, thyme, dill, or oregano for additional flavor.
- Oven Temperature: Use fan-forced oven if keeping the farls warm.
- Measurement Notes: All measurements follow Australian metric standards. 1 teaspoon = 5 ml, 1 tablespoon = 20 ml, and 1 cup = 250 ml.
- If dough is too sticky, add flour gradually while kneading for easier handling.
- Cook farls on medium heat to ensure they cook through without burning.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Irish
