why make this recipe
Irish Potato Bread, or Irish Farls, is a delightful comfort food that brings warmth and tradition to any meal. Made primarily from potatoes, this bread is simple to prepare, using basic ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen. The result is a soft and fluffy bread that can be enjoyed with various toppings or as a side dish. Its unique texture and flavor make it a wonderful addition to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover potatoes!
how to make Irish Potato Bread
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 to fry
Directions
- Peel and cut potatoes into quarters or large chunks. Add them to a large pot of cold water.
- Bring the potatoes to a boil, then reduce heat to a hard simmer. Cook the potatoes until they are tender and cooked through.
- Strain the potatoes into a colander and leave to cool.
- Once cool enough to handle, place the potatoes in a potato ricer and rice/mash them into a large bowl. Alternatively, use a potato masher to mash well, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl. If you want to add any extra ingredients, this is the time to do so.
- Using a spoon, mix the ingredients together until it becomes difficult.
- Continue mixing the dough with your hands. Check the consistency; if it’s too sticky, add some more flour to make it manageable.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface. Knead quickly until smooth. If sticky, add more flour as needed.
- Divide the dough into six equal portions and shape them into balls.
- Working one at a time, place a ball of dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Lightly flour a rolling pin and roll out the dough ball to your desired thickness: 3mm for thin, or half a cm for thicker bread.
- Cut the rolled-out dough into quarters. Alternatively, leave them whole for larger pieces.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil and a dollop of butter.
- Once the butter melts, add the pieces of dough to the pan. Fry until golden on one side, then turn them over. Once cooked through, remove from the pan.
- Place the cooked Irish potato bread on a tray in the oven on low heat to keep warm. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Continue cooking the rest of the dough. Add more butter and oil as needed.
how to serve Irish Potato Bread
Irish Potato Bread is versatile and can be served in many ways. Enjoy it warm with butter and a sprinkle of salt or spread a layer of jam or honey on top for a sweet twist. It pairs well with soups, stews, or even alongside a traditional Irish breakfast. You can also use it to make sandwiches, adding your favorite fillings.
how to store Irish Potato Bread
To store your Irish Potato Bread, let it cool completely. Then, place the bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for up to a month. To reheat, simply warm it in a frying pan or toaster.
tips to make Irish Potato Bread
- Make sure the potatoes are well-cooked for a smooth texture in the bread.
- Use a potato ricer for the best results, as it produces lump-free potatoes.
- Play with thickness! Roll the dough out thinner for crispier edges, or thicker for a chewier texture.
- Don’t overwork the dough, as this can make the bread tough.
variation
While the traditional recipe is delicious on its own, feel free to experiment by adding cooked bacon, herbs, or even cheese to the dough for added flavor. You can also try using sweet potatoes for a different taste.
FAQs
Can you make Irish Potato Bread ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a day before cooking it.
What type of potatoes are best for this recipe?
Starchy potatoes, like Russets or Yukon Golds, work best due to their fluffy texture when cooked.
Is it okay to freeze the cooked Irish Potato Bread?
Yes, you can freeze cooked Irish Potato Bread. Just make sure to wrap it tightly to prevent freezer burn. Reheat in a pan or toaster before serving.
Irish Potato Bread
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Irish Potato Bread, also known as Irish Farls, is a soft and fluffy comfort food made primarily from potatoes, perfect for any meal.
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 to fry
Instructions
- Peel and cut potatoes into quarters or large chunks, add them to a pot of cold water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a hard simmer and cook until tender.
- Strain the potatoes and leave to cool.
- Once cool, rice or mash the potatoes into a bowl.
- Add remaining ingredients and mix until difficult.
- Knead on a floured surface until smooth, adding more flour if sticky.
- Divide into six equal portions and shape them into balls.
- Roll out each ball to your desired thickness.
- Cut the rolled dough into quarters.
- Heat a non-stick pan, add butter and oil, and fry dough pieces until golden on both sides.
- Keep cooked bread warm in the oven covered with foil while cooking remaining pieces.
Notes
For a smoother texture, ensure potatoes are well-cooked. Use a potato ricer for best results, and don’t overwork the dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
