Irish Potato Bread Farls (Printable Version)

Golden pan-fried Irish potato bread farls offering a tender, tasty comfort food ideal for breakfast.

# Ingredient List:

→ Potatoes

01 - 1 lb floury potatoes (Maris Piper or Russet), peeled and quartered
02 - 1/2 tsp fine sea salt

→ Dough

03 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
05 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
06 - 1/4 tsp ground white pepper

→ For Cooking

07 - 1-2 tbsp butter or neutral oil

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 12-15 minutes. Drain well and return to the hot pot to steam dry for 1-2 minutes.
02 - Mash the potatoes until smooth and lump-free. Allow to cool slightly.
03 - Add the softened butter, flour, baking powder, and ground white pepper to the mashed potatoes. Mix until a soft, non-sticky dough forms.
04 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead just until combined, then shape into a flat round about 1/2 inch thick.
05 - Cut the round into quarters (farls).
06 - Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a little butter or oil.
07 - Cook the farls for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and slightly crispy.
08 - Serve warm, ideally with butter or as part of a traditional Irish breakfast.

# Tips from hearthlykitchen:

01 -
  • You probably have everything you need in your kitchen right now
  • The dough comes together in minutes and feels like magic
  • They reheat beautifully so you can make them ahead
02 -
  • Never skip the step of returning drained potatoes to the hot pot because excess moisture ruins the texture
  • Resist the urge to add more flour than the recipe calls for even if the dough feels sticky
  • The farls continue to firm up slightly after cooking so do not overcook them trying to get them completely crisp in the pan
03 -
  • Use a light touch when shaping the dough because heavy hands make dense bread
  • Keep the heat medium rather than high so the farls cook through without burning before the interior is done

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