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're craving something warm, golden, and downright irresistible, this Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe is exactly what you need. These traditional potato farls are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside—a perfect way to elevate humble potatoes into a comforting treat.

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

I honestly couldn’t get enough of these potato cakes when I first tried making them at home—each crispy triangle brings a little bit of Irish comfort food magic to the table.

Crisp and Tender: The outside fries up golden and crunchy while the inside stays fluffy and soft.
Simple Ingredients: Just potatoes, flour, butter, and seasoning—easy to keep on hand.
Versatile Side or Snack: Great alongside breakfast, lunch, or just for a cozy snack anytime.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can prep ahead and freeze leftovers for a quick reheat later.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When it comes to making these crispy Irish potato cakes, simplicity is key. Using good-quality potatoes and fresh butter makes a world of difference, and you’ll want to pick a flour that helps hold everything together without weighing the cakes down.

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 like to use Russets or Yukon golds for their fluffy texture when mashed—perfect for binding the cakes.
All-purpose flour: It combines beautifully with the potatoes to create the dough that holds shape when frying.
Salt: To season the potatoes and bring out their natural flavor.
Black pepper: Freshly ground adds subtle heat and depth.
Butter: Used both inside the dough and for frying to achieve that rich, golden crispness.

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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 best things about this Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe is how easy it is to customize to suit your taste or occasion. Whether you like them extra savory, a little cheesy, or even gluten-free, there’s a variation that will make these potato farls uniquely your own.

Cheesy Twist: I love adding a handful of sharp cheddar or Irish cheese to the dough before shaping. It melts beautifully while frying, giving you that gooey, golden surprise in every bite.
Herb Infusion: Mixing fresh chopped chives, parsley, or thyme into the potato mixture adds a lovely fresh note that brightens up the traditionally rich cakes.
Gluten-Free Option: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend or even some fine cornmeal. It changes the texture slightly but keeps that satisfying crispiness intact.
Leftover Mash Makeover: If you have leftover mashed potatoes, just bring them to room temperature and soften your butter before mixing. It’s a fantastic way to avoid waste while making something delicious.

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: Prep and Boil Your Potatoes for Even Cooking

Start by cutting 2 pounds of potatoes (Russets or Yukon Gold work beautifully) into equal-sized chunks. This ensures they cook evenly and turn out fluffy. Place them into a large pot and cover with cold water, adding about 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for about 15 minutes until fork tender. You’ll know they’re ready when your fork slides in and out with ease—perfectly soft, not mushy.

Step 2: Drain and Make Those Potatoes Fluffy

Drain your potatoes thoroughly to remove all excess water—that’s key for crispy cakes. Then, use a potato ricer, sieve, or masher to mash them until fluffy and smooth. The fluffier, the better, as this gives your potato cake that tender inside texture.

Step 3: Mix Your Dough with Flour, Butter, and Seasoning

Next, add 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons of butter, ½ teaspoon of salt, and freshly ground black pepper to your mashed potatoes. Stir thoroughly until everything combines into a soft, pliable dough. If it feels sticky, sprinkle in a little extra flour, but remember not to overwork it!

Step 4: Shape & Cut Your Potato Cakes

On a lightly floured surface, flatten your dough into an 8-inch disk about 1 inch thick. This shape is traditional and makes for evenly sized farls. Using a sharp knife, cut the disk into 8 triangular pieces, just like slicing a pizza—easy and satisfying!

Step 5: Fry to Golden Crispy Perfection

Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the potato cakes carefully and cook them for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Keep an eye out for that gorgeous golden brown color—you want crispy edges with soft, fluffy centers. Flip gently so you don’t break them, and enjoy the warm butter aroma filling your kitchen!

Top Tip

To achieve perfectly crispy Irish Potato Cakes that are golden on the outside and fluffy inside, a few little tricks can make all the difference. Here are some insider tips from my kitchen adventures:

Use Equal-Sized Potato Pieces: Cutting your potatoes into evenly sized chunks ensures they cook uniformly, resulting in that light, fluffy texture that's key for the dough.
Butter Makes Magic: Don’t skimp on the butter mixed into the dough and used for frying — it adds richness and helps develop that irresistible crispy crust.
Flour Amount Flexibility: Depending on humidity or potato moisture, be ready to adjust flour slightly. In dryer climates, you might need a touch less to keep the dough tender yet manageable.
Resist Overworking: Mix just until your dough comes together. Overmixing can make the cakes dense rather than delightfully soft inside.

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

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives over your potato cakes for a burst of color and fresh flavor. A dollop of sour cream or a smear of Irish butter melted on top can elevate them to pure comfort food bliss. For an authentic touch, serve with a side of tangy apple sauce or even a drizzle of malt vinegar.

Side Dishes

These Crispy Irish Potato Cakes shine alongside classic Irish fare like corned beef and cabbage, sautéed greens, or a simple fried egg for breakfast or brunch. They also pair beautifully with smoked salmon or creamy mushroom ragout for a heartier meal. For a vegetarian option, try them with a robust lentil stew or fresh garden salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftover potato cakes (though that’s rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Let them cool completely before storing to maintain that crispy texture when reheated.

Freezing

For longer preservation, allow the cakes to cool fully, then flash freeze by placing them on a baking sheet until solid. Afterward, pack them into an airtight container or freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. This method prevents them from sticking together and keeps their texture intact.

Reheating

Thaw frozen potato cakes overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, fry them in butter over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until heated through and crisped up beautifully—just like fresh!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use leftover mashed potatoes to make these potato cakes?

Absolutely! If you’re using leftover mashed potatoes, take them out of the fridge about 20 minutes before mixing, or use softened or melted butter to help everything blend smoothly.

What kind of potatoes work best for this recipe?

Russet or Yukon gold potatoes are ideal because they yield a fluffy texture after boiling, which is perfect for forming the dough.

How do I know when the potato cakes are cooked properly?

Cook them until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 4 to 5 minutes per side over medium heat. The exterior should have a nice crust while the inside remains tender.

Can I bake the potato cakes instead of frying?

Traditional Crispy Irish Potato Cakes are best fried in butter to get that authentic crispy crust and rich flavor. Baking might result in a softer texture, but you can try it at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.

Final Thoughts

Making this Crispy Irish Potato Cakes Recipe is like giving yourself a warm, comforting hug from the inside out. There’s something so satisfying about that golden crust paired with a soft, buttery center that just hits the spot every time. Whether you’re sharing them at a family meal or enjoying them as a cozy snack, these cakes are truly a taste of Irish tradition made with love. I hope you enjoy every crispy, fluffy bite!