• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

  • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizers
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches
      • Drinks/Cocktails
      • Sauces & Dressings
    • Method
      • Crockpot
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot
      • Air Fryer
      • Casseroles
    • Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
      • Italian
      • Mexican
      • European
      • Indian
      • Romanian
      • Mediterranean
      • Middle Eastern
      • American
    • Ingredient
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Beef
      • Seafood
      • Lamb
      • Vegetarian
      • Pasta
      • Spices
    • Holiday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Thanksgiving
      • Game Day
      • Valentine's Day
      • St. Patrick's Day
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Mother's Day
      • Memorial Day
      • Father's Day
      • 4th Of July
      • Labor Day
      • Halloween
    • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • Shop
  • About Jo
FREE recipe eBook!
Search...
All Recipes
Instant Pot
30 Minute
One Pot Meals
Soups
Dips & Dressings
Baking
Pasta
Sandwiches
Sides
Breakfast Side Dishes Vegetarian Potatoes
4.7 from 27 votes

Irish Potato Cakes (Potato Farls)

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •3/20/23 5 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for irish potato cakes.

A super easy recipe for Irish Potato Cakes also known as Potato Farls. Yukon gold potatoes are mashed with butter and flour then formed into triangles and fried to perfection. These Potato Cakes are incredibly creamy on the inside and super crispy on the outside, making for an exceptional side dish for almost any occasion.

freshly fried irish potato cakes (potato farls) on a white plate.
Table of Contents Open
  • Irish Potato Cakes (Potato Farls)
  • Why You’ll Love These Irish Potato Farls
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How To Make Irish Potato Cakes (Potato Farls)
    • Cook The Potatoes
    • Mash The Potatoes
    • Make The Potato Mixture
    • Form The Potato Farls
    • Fry The Potato Cakes
  • Are Potato Cakes Irish?
  • What Are Potato Farls Made Of?
  • What Other Ingredients Can I Use In Potato Cakes?
  • What Is The Difference Between A Potato Ricer And A Potato Masher?
  • What Can I Serve With Irish Potato Cakes?
    • Beef Pot Pies
    • Irish Lamb Stew
    • Beef Stew
    • Creamy Parmesan Baked Eggs
  • Expert Tips
  • Leftovers
    • Freezing
  • Other Delicious Recipes To Try
  • Irish Potato Cakes (Potato Farls)
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Irish Potato Cakes (Potato Farls)

I’ve made these using fresh mashed potatoes, but this is also the perfect recipe if you have leftover mashed potatoes from the night before. They are so easy to make with a nice crisp exterior and soft and creamy interior. My favorite way to eat them is for breakfast with eggs, because you can never have too many eggs. Actually, If I also fry up some bacon, I’ll save the bacon fat to cook the potato cakes in it for a little extra decadence.

I’ve used a potato ricer to push my cooked potatoes through, but it’s totally not necessary. You can use a regular masher or a large sieve. Either way you’ll have some terrific little potato wedges. Perfect for any time of the day!

two irish potato cakes (potato farls) on a plate with sunny side up eggs and two tomato slices.

Why You’ll Love These Irish Potato Farls

  • Versatile. This is an extremely versatile side dish that can be adjusted according to your taste.
  • Easy To Make. Using only 3 ingredients, not including salt and pepper, you can easily make these with very little effort.
  • Budget Friendly. I love recipes that are easy on the pocketbook, and this one definitely is.
  • Crowd Pleaser. Soft and creamy on the inside, super crispy on the outside, these potato farls are bound to be enjoyed by the entire family.

Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients needed to make irish potato cakes aka potato farls.
  • Potatoes – My favorite potatoes to use for mashed potatoes are Yukon gold potatoes, but russets work great as well.
  • Flour – You can use plain white all-purpose flour. This will help to turn the mash into a dough-like consistency.
  • Salt/Pepper – You’ll always want to add some salt and pepper to taste, because I think it’s essential for good tasting potatoes.
  • Butter – I use unsalted butter for almost all my recipes, since I’m able to control the amount of salt. I used it in both the mashed potato and also to fry the cakes in.

How To Make Irish Potato Cakes (Potato Farls)

If you know how to make mashed potatoes you’re already halfway there to making potato cakes. It’s a quick and easy process with a delicious outcome!

Cook The Potatoes

process shots showing how to make irish potato cakes (potato farls).

The first step is to cube and cook the raw potatoes. To do this, peel and cut all the potatoes into equal size chunks so that they cook evenly. Next, transfer the potatoes to a large pot, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and cover them with cold water. Then bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat and cook them for about 15 minutes or until they are fork tender.

Mash The Potatoes

process shots showing how to make irish potato cakes (potato farls).

After the potatoes are cooked, drain them in a colander and put them in a bowl. Then mash them until smooth. You can do this step by running the cooked potatoes through a potato ricer, pressing them through a sieve, or using a potato masher. The idea is to get them as fluffy as possible.

Make The Potato Mixture

process shots showing how to make irish potato cakes (potato farls).

Once the potatoes are good and mashed, add the flour, 3 tablespoons of butter, salt, and black pepper. Now, combine everything together until it’s fully incorporated. The mixture should form a dough. If it still seems a little wet, add a little more flour. If it seems dry add a splash of water.

Form The Potato Farls

process shots showing how to make irish potato cakes (potato farls).

Transfer the potato mixture to a lightly floured work surface. Then flatten the dough into a round 8-inch disk that is about 1 inch in thickness. Now, cut the disk of dough into 8 triangles like you would a pizza using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

Fry The Potato Cakes

process shots showing how to make irish potato cakes (potato farls).

Now, let’s cook the cakes! First, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Then add the Irish potato pancakes to the pan and fry them on each side for about 4 to 5 minutes or until they are crispy and golden. Keep in mind, if all the cakes don’t easily fit into your skillet you may need to fry them in batches. You never want to crowd your frying pan.

Are Potato Cakes Irish?

Potato cakes are common in the United Kingdom. Although many Americans associate potato pancakes with Hanukkah, they have more broad origins. They originated in the eastern European countries of Germany Austria, Russia and Poland as a peasant food. Potatoes were cheap, plentiful and easy to store, making them a staple and necessitating inventive potato recipes.

What Are Potato Farls Made Of?

The word farl literally means “fourths” meaning they are shaped from a circle of dough cut into quarters. The dough consists of mashed potatoes and flour. They are part of a family of Irish potato breads and pancakes. However, for this recipe, I cut them in eighths instead to make them a bit smaller in size.

What Other Ingredients Can I Use In Potato Cakes?

Although not traditional, add some herbs, garlic, green onions or scallions for additional flavor. I also like sour cream on the side!

What Is The Difference Between A Potato Ricer And A Potato Masher?

The equipment you use to mash your potatoes will have a big effect on their texture. With a masher, even with a good workout, some lumps are inevitable. A ricer provides the gentlest touch for the fluffiest mash.

What Can I Serve With Irish Potato Cakes?

a fork inside a beef pot pie that was freshly baked.
4 hrs

Beef Pot Pies

overhead shot of a ladle taking a scoop of irish lamb stew
2 hrs 10 mins

Irish Lamb Stew

closeup of beef stew in a dutch oven with a ladle inside.
2 hrs 45 mins

Beef Stew

a hand dunking a piece of toast in a ramekin with creamy baked eggs
20 mins

Creamy Parmesan Baked Eggs

freshly fried irish potato cakes (potato farls) on a white plate.

Expert Tips

  1. If using leftover mashed potatoes, I’d recommend taking them out of the fridge for about 20 minutes before combining with butter, or use really soft or melted butter.
  2. You may need to adjust your flour amount. For example, if you live in a dry climate, you may require less.
  3. If preferred, you can use half mashed and half shredded potatoes.
  4. If you’re not going to cook your potatoes immediately, place cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water so they don’t turn brown from oxidation.
  5. Forming the dough is easier if the mixture is cool.

Leftovers

Leftover cooled potato cakes can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Freezing

Let the potato cakes cool completely, then place in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can also flash freeze them first by placing them on a baking sheet and freezing until solid. Then simply wrap them up or just place them in an airtight container and freeze.

Thaw the frozen potato cakes in the refrigerator overnight, then simply follow the instructions to fry them.

two irish potato cakes (potato farls) on a plate with sunny side up eggs and two tomato slices.

Other Delicious Recipes To Try

  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Irish Soda Bread
  • Irish Scones
  • Potato Skins
  • Irish Lamb Stew
  • Funeral Potatoes
  • Patatas Bravas

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

freshly fried irish potato cakes (potato farls) on a white plate.
Print
4.71 from 27 votes

Irish Potato Cakes (Potato Farls)

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Total 45 minutes
Rate Recipe
A super easy recipe for Irish Potato Cakes also known as Potato Farls. Yukon gold potatoes are mashed with butter and flour then formed into triangles and fried to perfection. These Potato Cakes are incredibly creamy on the inside and super crispy on the outside, making for an exceptional side dish for almost any occasion.
8

Ingredients

Potato Cakes

  • 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

For Frying

  • 3 tablespoons butter

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Make sure all the potatoes are cut into equal size pieces so that they all cook at the same time. Place the potatoes into a large pot and fill it with cold water, enough to fully cover the potatoes. Add about 1 tsp of salt to the water and stir.
  • Bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a medium and cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
    process shots showing how to make irish potato cakes (potato farls).
  • Drain the potatoes. Put the potatoes through a potato ricer, press them through a sieve or simply use a potato masher to get them as fluffy as possible.
    process shots showing how to make irish potato cakes (potato farls).
  • To the mashed potatoes add the flour, 3 tablespoons of butter, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly until you form a dough.
    process shots showing how to make irish potato cakes (potato farls).
  • Flatten the dough into an 8-inch disk on a lightly floured surface, about 1-inch thick then cut into 8 triangles, like cutting a pizza.
    process shots showing how to make irish potato cakes (potato farls).
  • Melt remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet. Add the potato cakes and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, over medium heat, until gold and crispy.
    process shots showing how to make irish potato cakes (potato farls).

Equipment

  • Potato Ricer

Notes

  1. If using leftover mashed potatoes, I’d recommend taking them out of the fridge for about 20 minutes before combining with butter, or use really soft or melted butter.
  2. You may need to adjust your flour amount. For example, if you live in a dry climate, you may require less.
  3. If preferred, you can use half mashed and half shredded potatoes.
  4. Leftover cooled potato cakes can be refrigerated for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
  5. Let the potato cakes cool completely, then place in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can also flash freeze them first by placing them on a baking sheet and freezing until solid. Then simply wrap them up or just place them in an airtight container and freeze.
  6. Thaw the frozen potato cakes in the refrigerator overnight, then simply follow the instructions to fry them.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cakeCalories: 220kcal (11%)Carbohydrates: 32g (11%)Protein: 4g (8%)Fat: 9g (14%)Saturated Fat: 5g (31%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 23mg (8%)Sodium: 154mg (7%)Potassium: 498mg (14%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 265IU (5%)Vitamin C: 22mg (27%)Calcium: 19mg (2%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

freshly fried irish potato cakes (potato farls) on a white plate.

Did You Make This?

We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram at @jocooks or hashtag #jocooks so we can see your creations!

Rate Recipe
Add Your Photo!
  • 1198
Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
iPad showing title of ebook 30 recipes from around the world
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

5 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Troy
Troy
Posted: 2 days ago

4 stars
This recipe turned out perfect! So easy, and so good. I made it with eggs over easy and sausage. Great alternative to hashbrowns, for breakfast. Will definitely make again and again.

0
Reply
Chris W.
Chris W.
Posted: 2 days ago

I also have tried with leftover potatoes and had a runny mess – so more flour or use fresh mashed! These look so nice…

0
Reply
Pixie
Pixie
Posted: 1 year ago

Jo, This looks fabulous, and I will try soon, Perhaps a novice, silly question, if using leftover mashed potatoes, they usually have been made with milk or cream, Does it matter? Looks like your Potato Farls recipe uses no milk. I have never had success making potato pancakes from left over mashed taters, they taste great, but look like a mess. Yours look great.

2
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Pixie
Posted: 1 year ago

You should still be able to use it but you might need to add a bit more flour.

0
Reply
Carinjo
Carinjo
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
I love potato farls, this recipe is better than the one i used before, gives nice firm texture when frying. I recommend using it as part of weekend fry-up instead of toast, goes great with baked beans and soft fried eggs.

2
Reply

sidebar

Headshot of Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
Collage of recipe ebooks
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

Pasta Favorites

baked mac and cheese in a black cast iron skillet.
45 mins

Baked Mac And Cheese

freshly made crack chicken penne with a wooden spoon in a skillet.
40 mins

Crack Chicken Penne

chicken pot pie pasta in a white serving bowl with a wooden serving spoon.
50 mins

Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

freshly made one pot pasta in a dutch oven.
20 mins

One Pot Pasta

tomato spinach chicken pasta in a white bowl.
30 mins

Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.
30 mins

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

baked feta pasta in a white bowl garnished with fresh basil.
50 mins

Baked Feta Pasta (Tik Tok Pasta)

sideview shot of chicken fajita pasta in a white bowl with a fork inside
45 mins

Chicken Fajita Pasta

side close up shot of swedish meatball pasta in a beige braised garnished with parsley
30 mins

Swedish Meatball Pasta

overhead shot of a bowl of haluski
40 mins

Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles)

A stack of cookbooks
Grab a copy!

My Cookbooks

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Dinner Favorites

smothered pork chops in a skillet garnished with parsley.
1 hr 15 mins

Smothered Pork Chops

a wooden spoon lifting a salisbury steak out of the skillet
30 mins

Salisbury Steak

beef lo mein in a black wok.
30 mins

Beef Lo Mein

side shot of beef and broccoli in a skillet
15 mins

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

skillet shepherd's pie in a cast iron skillet with a portion taken out.
1 hr 25 mins

Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

a serving spoon inside a skillet with chicken broccoli rice casserole.
30 mins

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

side view shot of two italian stuffed peppers in a bowl
2 hrs 30 mins

Italian Stuffed Peppers

side view shot of a bowl with a scoop of spaghetti bolognese in it
40 mins

Spaghetti Bolognese

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok
Visit our Other Site: Craving Home Cooked

Explore

Recipes
Cookbooks
About Jo
Contact

Legal

Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
© 2023 Jo Cooks
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
wpDiscuz