Discover how to make soft, golden, and delicious traditional Irish potato farro! This easy recipe uses simple ingredients to create a hearty, homemade bread that is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or with your favorite meals. Bring a taste of Ireland to your table in minutes!
Yields: 8-10 farls
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 450g (about 2 large) cooked mashed potatoes (cooled slightly)
- 100g (about ¾ cup) plain (all-purpose) flour, plus extra for dusting
- 50g (about ¼ cup) butter, melted, plus extra for greasing the pan
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Potato masher or ricer (if not already mashed smoothly)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Large frying pan or griddle
- Spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions with Pictures:
Step 1: Prepare the Mashed Potatoes
- Ensure your mashed potatoes are cooked and slightly cooled. They should be smooth with no large lumps. If you haven’t mashed them yet, do so now using a masher or ricer.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, add the plain flour, salt, and black pepper. Whisk them together briefly to ensure even distribution.
Step 3: Add Mashed Potatoes and Melted Butter
- Add the slightly cooled mashed potatoes to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Pour the melted butter over the potatoes.
Step 4: Mix the Dough
- Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Turn Out and Knead Lightly
Lightly flour a clean work surface. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Gently knead the dough for 1-2 minutes until it becomes smoother and less sticky. Add a little more flour if necessary, but be careful not to add too much, as this can make the farls tough.
Step 6: Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour your rolling pin. Roll out the dough into a circle about ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick.
Step 7: Cut into Farls
Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the circle in half, then each half in half again to form four equal quarters. Each quarter is a “farl.” For smaller farls, you can cut each quarter in half again to make eight triangles.
Step 8: Cook the Farls
Lightly grease a large frying pan or griddle with some of the remaining melted butter over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, carefully place the potato farls onto the pan, ensuring not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook them in batches.
Step 9: Flip and Cook the Other Side
Cook the farls for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside.
Step 10: Serve and Enjoy!
Once cooked, remove the potato farls from the pan and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly. They are best served warm with butter or as part of a traditional Ulster Fry.
Tips and Variations:
- Use leftover mashed potatoes: This is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.
- Seasoning: Adjust the salt and pepper to your taste. You can also add other seasonings like chives or garlic powder to the dough.
- Crispiness: For extra crispy farls, cook them for a slightly longer time on each side over medium-low heat.
- Freezing: Cooked potato farls can be frozen. Let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in cling film and place them in a freezer bag. To reheat, thaw them and then warm them in a pan or under the grill.
Enjoy your homemade potato farls! They are a simple yet delicious treat.
