Name: Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 2 pounds potatoes (such as Russets or Yukon gold); 1 cup all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste); ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground); 3 tablespoons butter; 3 tablespoons butter

If you’ve ever wished for a golden, crispy potato side that’s both comforting and easy to whip up, you’re in for a treat. This Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe—also known as Potato Farls—is exactly that: buttery, fluffy mashed potatoes transformed into crunchy, pan-fried delights. Honestly, they’re one of my favorite ways to elevate leftover potatoes into something magical.

A white plate holds eight golden brown triangular pieces of fried bread with crispy edges and slightly darker spots where they are more toasted. Each piece is sprinkled with small bits of fresh green herbs. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with soft light highlighting the textures of the toasted crust and herbs. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Whenever I make these Irish Potato Cakes, the aroma alone has me smiling. Crispy on the outside, pillowy soft inside, they’re the perfect side to any meal or even a comforting snack on their own. Plus, it’s so satisfying to make something this delicious from simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

Uses Simple Staples: Potatoes, flour, and butter—nothing fancy, just good food.
Great for Leftovers: Turn leftover mashed potatoes into a whole new dish.
Crispy & Comforting: Pan-frying gives them the perfect golden crust and soft center.
Versatile Side: Pairs well with breakfast, lunch, or dinner dishes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s talk ingredients before we get cooking. For the best results, choose starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds—they mash smoothly and fry up crisp. It’s also key to use good-quality butter since it enriches the dough and adds that irresistible golden crust when frying. And as much as flour seems like a humble ingredient, it’s essential for binding the cake together so you get that perfect texture.

Flat lay of peeled Yukon gold potatoes cut into chunks, a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a few whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with softened golden butter, a small white ceramic bowl containing freshly ground black pepper, and a small white ceramic bowl with coarse salt crystals, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Potatoes: I recommend Russet or Yukon Gold for fluffy, smooth mash that crisps up nicely.
All-purpose Flour: Helps bind the potatoes into a dough that holds its shape when fried.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the potatoes, essential for seasoning.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground for a subtle kick that complements the potatoes.
Butter: Used both in the dough and for frying to add richness and crispness.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of the Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe is how versatile it can be. Feel free to personalize these potato cakes to suit your tastes or whatever you have on hand—there’s plenty of room for creative twists!

Variation: I love swapping half the mashed potatoes for shredded potatoes to add a delightful texture contrast. It makes the cakes even crispier and adds a slight chewiness that’s just perfect.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour. The cakes still turn out deliciously crispy and perfect for those avoiding gluten.
Herb Infusion: Mixing fresh chopped chives, parsley, or thyme into the dough adds a fragrant herbal note that brightens up these savory cakes beautifully.
Spicy Kick: For a subtle heat, add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the dough—this gives the cakes a warming depth without overpowering their classic flavor.
Cheesy Upgrade: Fold in a handful of shredded sharp cheddar or Parmesan before shaping the dough. When fried, the cheese melts and forms delicious pockets of gooey goodness inside.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe

The white plate holds a simple breakfast with three main parts: two fried eggs with bright yellow yolks and slightly browned edges on the left, two thick slices of red tomato above the eggs with green herbs sprinkled on top, and two golden-brown triangular pieces of fried bread on the right, each piece showing a lightly crispy texture with small green herbs scattered over them, all set on a white marbled surface with a fork resting on the edge of the plate photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes with Care

Start by cutting your potatoes into evenly sized chunks. This ensures they cook uniformly and get that perfect tender texture we want. Place them into a large pot and cover with cold water, adding about a teaspoon of salt to season as they cook. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for about 15 minutes. You’ll know the potatoes are ready when a fork slides in effortlessly—soft but not mushy.

Step 2: Drain, Mash, and Create the Dough

Drain the potatoes very well, so they don’t introduce extra moisture. Next, use a potato ricer, sieve, or a sturdy masher to mash them until they’re fluffy and smooth. This step is key to achieving light and airy potato cakes. Then add in the cup of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons of butter, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything until a soft, pliable dough forms—if you feel it’s too sticky, a little extra flour on your hands or surface helps.

Step 3: Shape into Perfect Potato Farls

Lightly flour your work surface and flatten the dough into an 8-inch disk about 1 inch thick. This thickness is just right to give you a crispy outside with a tender inside. Cut the disk into 8 equal triangular pieces, like a classic pizza slice. These prevent the potato cakes from being too bulky and help them cook evenly.

Step 4: Fry to Golden, Crispy Perfection

Heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and shimmering. Carefully add the potato cakes in a single layer, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry each side for 4 to 5 minutes until they develop a rich golden brown crust and a satisfyingly crispy texture. The smell of buttery, golden potatoes filling your kitchen means you’re doing it just right!

Top Tip

These tips will help you perfect your Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe, ensuring they come out golden, fluffy, and full of flavor every time.

Use the Right Potatoes: I always choose Yukon Gold or Russets as they mash smoothly and create that perfect soft texture inside the cakes.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix the flour and potatoes gently—overmixing can make the cakes dense rather than light and fluffy.
Butter Makes a Difference: Melting butter into the potato dough and using it for frying helps develop a rich flavor and crispy golden crust.
Medium Heat is Key: Cooking the cakes over medium heat avoids burning the outside before the inside is warmed through and cooked perfectly.

How to Serve Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe

The image shows two clear glass bowls placed side by side on a white marbled surface. The left bowl contains a mixture of yellow grated ingredients at the bottom, topped with white flour, two small squares of light yellow butter, and a pinch of black pepper. The right bowl shows a smooth, pale yellow dough mixture with a slightly shiny texture, and a white spatula with a red handle resting inside the bowl. The overall tone is clean and bright, highlighting the preparation stages of the dough photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a lovely finishing touch, sprinkle your potato cakes with freshly chopped chives or parsley. A dollop of sour cream or a smear of butter can add extra creaminess. Serve with a wedge of lemon or a drizzle of tangy mustard for a bit of brightness.

Side Dishes

Crispy Irish Potato Cakes pair wonderfully with traditional Irish dishes like corned beef, cabbage, or sautéed kale. They also make a hearty side for breakfast alongside eggs and smoked salmon or can simply be enjoyed on their own with a fresh green salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover potato cakes can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 2 days. This makes for a perfect next-day snack or side that’s easy to reheat.

Freezing

To store for longer, let the cooked cakes cool completely, then flash freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to airtight containers or freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. This method keeps them from sticking together and makes reheating just as crisp and delicious.

Reheating

Thaw frozen potato cakes overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat by frying them again in 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat for about 4 to 5 minutes per side until warmed through and crispy. You can also reheat them gently in a skillet or oven for great results.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use leftover mashed potatoes for this recipe?

Absolutely! Leftover mashed potatoes work well, but make sure they are at room temperature and mix in softened or melted butter before combining with the flour and seasoning.

What’s the best type of potato to use?

Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal due to their texture. They mash nicely and give your cakes a fluffy interior with a crispy outside once fried.

How do I prevent the potato cakes from falling apart while frying?

Make sure your dough is well mixed and not too wet. Adding the right amount of flour and using medium heat for frying helps the cakes hold together and develop a golden crust.

Can I bake the potato cakes instead of frying?

Frying creates the classic crispy texture that baking can't fully replicate. While you can bake them, for the best traditional texture and flavor, pan-frying in butter is recommended.

Final Thoughts

Making Crispy Irish Potato Cakes is like inviting a little piece of Ireland into your kitchen—a simple recipe with hearty, comforting results. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, alongside a Sunday roast, or just as a snack, these golden, buttery cakes warmed my heart every time I make them. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do!