Irish Potato Bread Recipe for Homemade Comfort

Crispy golden potato flatbreads have been a delightful staple in irish potato bread traditions for generations.

Hearty farmers and home cooks crafted these simple yet satisfying rounds using basic pantry ingredients.

Potatoes bring exceptional moisture and a subtle earthy richness to this classic bread.

Russet or white potatoes work beautifully, creating a tender interior with a slightly crusty exterior.

Kneading becomes a meditative process when you connect with centuries of culinary heritage.

Salt and flour blend seamlessly, creating a canvas for countless meal possibilities.

Let this recipe inspire you to transform humble ingredients into something truly magical.

What Goes into Authentic Irish Potato Bread

Main Ingredients:

• Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable that provides moisture and soft texture to the bread, fresh potatoes work best.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender crumb, choose unsalted for better control of saltiness.

• Flour, Baking Powder: Work together to create structure and help the bread rise, all-purpose flour is perfect for this recipe.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the bread's taste.

• Non-Stick Skillet or Griddle: Essential for even cooking and achieving golden-brown exterior, cast iron or non-stick surfaces work well.
• Flour (For Dusting): Prevents sticking during shaping and rolling, helps create clean edges on potato farls.

Baking Instructions for Soft and Hearty Bread

Step 1: Prepare Potato Base

Peel whole potatoes and place them in a pot of cold water. Boil until tender and easily pierced with a fork. Drain water completely and mash potatoes until smooth and creamy, eliminating all lumps. Allow potatoes to cool slightly to room temperature.

Step 2: Create Soft Dough

• Mashed potatoes
• All-purpose flour
• Melted unsalted butter
• Kosher salt
• Baking powder

Blend ingredients thoroughly using a wooden spoon or hands until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. The texture should hold together without crumbling.

Step 3: Shape Delectable Farls

Sprinkle a clean countertop with a light dusting of flour. Transfer dough onto surface and gently roll out to approximately half-inch thickness. Use a sharp knife to divide dough into four equal triangular sections, creating traditional potato farls.

Step 4: Griddle Cooking Magic

Warm a non-stick skillet or cast-iron griddle over medium heat. Carefully place potato farls onto hot surface. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes until edges turn golden brown and surfaces develop a delicate crispy exterior. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer cooked potato bread to a serving plate. Slice and serve warm alongside butter, jam, or as a hearty breakfast accompaniment. Best enjoyed immediately after cooking.

Tips for Better Texture and Crust

• Potato Perfection: Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Maris Piper for the best texture and fluffiest bread.
• Moisture Management: Let mashed potatoes cool slightly to prevent excess moisture in the dough, ensuring a perfect consistency.
• Flour Fine-Tuning: Adjust flour quantity based on potato moisture; add more if the dough feels too wet or sticky.
• Griddle Gold: Use a cast-iron skillet or non-stick griddle for even heat distribution and crispy golden-brown edges.
• Serving Suggestion: Enjoy warm with butter, jam, or as a side to breakfast dishes like eggs and bacon for a traditional Irish experience.

Save and Reheat Potato Bread the Right Way

• Store leftover potato bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap each piece separately to maintain freshness and prevent them from sticking together.
• Carefully place potato bread in freezer bags, removing excess air. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Label the bag with the date to track storage time.
• Warm individual potato bread pieces in a lightly greased skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side. This method restores the crispy exterior and soft interior.
• For quick reheating, place potato bread on a microwave-safe plate and warm for 15-20 seconds. Be careful not to overheat, which can make the bread tough.

What to Pair with Irish Potato Bread

• Serve warm potato bread alongside crispy bacon, eggs, sausages, and black pudding for an authentic Irish morning feast.
• Top the bread with rich Irish butter, smooth cream cheese, or tangy smoked salmon spread to enhance its hearty potato flavor.
• Enjoy alongside a steaming cup of Irish breakfast tea or a robust coffee to balance the bread's comforting, starchy texture.
• Dunk potato bread into creamy potato leek soup or warming vegetable stew for a satisfying and filling meal that celebrates Irish culinary traditions.

What Makes Irish Potato Bread a Savory Favorite

• This Irish potato bread offers a speedy homemade delight that transforms simple ingredients into a warm, satisfying treat in under 30 minutes.
• Even novice cooks can master this recipe with minimal skills, using basic kitchen tools and ingredients found in most pantries, making it perfect for building cooking confidence.
• Serve these crispy potato farls as a breakfast staple, side dish, or snack – they pair beautifully with butter, jam, eggs, or as a base for savory toppings, adapting to any mealtime craving.
• Utilizing affordable ingredients like potatoes, flour, and butter, this recipe delivers maximum flavor and satisfaction without breaking the bank, proving delicious meals don't require expensive components.

Variations on Potato Bread Worth Trying

• Gluten-Free Potato Bread: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for those with celiac disease or wheat sensitivities. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Irish Potato Bread: Substitute butter with coconut oil or olive oil. Use plant-based milk instead of dairy milk to create a dairy-free version that maintains the bread's traditional texture.
• Herbed Potato Bread: Add fresh chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives to the dough for an aromatic and flavorful variation. These herbs complement the potato's earthy taste and add extra depth.
• Low-Carb Potato Alternative: Replace traditional potatoes with mashed cauliflower or mashed turnips to reduce carbohydrate content. This option works well for those following ketogenic or low-carb dietary plans.

FAQs for Irish Bread Enthusiasts

• Are potatoes the main ingredient in Irish potato bread?

Yes, mashed potatoes are the key ingredient that gives this bread its unique texture and flavor, creating a soft and slightly dense bread with a rich, comforting taste.

• Can I use leftover mashed potatoes for this recipe?

Absolutely! Leftover mashed potatoes work perfectly and are a great way to reduce food waste while creating a delicious bread.

• Is this bread similar to traditional bread?

No, Irish potato bread is quite different from regular bread. It’s flatter, more dense, and has a unique texture due to the potato content, making it more like a hearty flatbread or griddle bread.

• Do I need any special skills to make potato bread?

Not at all! This recipe is beginner-friendly and requires basic mixing and cooking skills. Even novice home cooks can successfully make delicious potato bread with simple ingredients and techniques.

Irish Potato Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Irish potato bread brings rustic comfort straight from Ireland’s hearty kitchens. Warm, golden slices melt with rich butter, inviting you to savor traditional countryside flavors in each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 ml) mashed potatoes
• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour

Seasoning and Leavening:

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Transform boiled potatoes into a smooth, lump-free mash by thoroughly crushing them with a potato masher or fork, allowing the mixture to cool to a warm temperature.
2. Combine the mashed potatoes with flour, creating a soft, pliable dough that incorporates melted butter, salt, and baking powder until fully integrated.
3. Dust a clean work surface with a light layer of flour to prevent sticking, then gently knead the potato dough briefly to ensure even consistency.
4. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to achieve a uniform 1/2-inch thickness, creating a smooth, even surface.
5. Slice the flattened dough into four equal triangular sections, ensuring clean, precise cuts that create traditional potato bread farls.
6. Preheat a non-stick skillet or heavy griddle to medium heat, allowing the surface to warm evenly without becoming too hot.
7. Carefully transfer the potato bread triangles to the heated surface, cooking each side for 3-4 minutes until a rich golden-brown color develops and a crisp exterior forms.
8. Remove the potato farls from the skillet, letting them rest momentarily on a wire rack or clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain their delightful texture.

Notes

• Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for the best texture and flavor in your potato bread.
• Allow mashed potatoes to cool slightly before mixing to prevent overworking the gluten in the flour, which can make the bread tough.
• Adjust flour quantity based on potato moisture – wetter potatoes might require a bit more flour to achieve the right dough consistency.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with a blend of gluten-free flour and add xanthan gum to help bind the ingredients.
• Keep the dough thickness consistent when rolling out to ensure even cooking and a uniform texture across all farls.
• Consider adding herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for an extra flavor dimension that complements the potato’s natural richness.
• Use a cast-iron skillet for more even heat distribution and a crispier exterior when cooking the potato bread.
• Store leftover potato bread wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to maintain moisture and prevent it from drying out too quickly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg