This recipe for pan fried potatoes is the perfect way to make a delicious and easy side dish. The cast iron skillet potatoes are cooked on the stove until they are crispy and golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside.
crispy Pan Fried Potatoes
When I think of potatoes, I always think of the traditional preparation methods such as baked or mashed. But there is an even better way to enjoy this savory vegetable, fried potatoes in a cast iron skillet!
There is nothing quite like crispy potatoes. Not only are they simple and easy to prepare, but they have an irresistible crunchy texture.
Look no further if you are looking for a delicious and easy skillet fried potatoes recipe. Pre-cooking potatoes are unnecessary; you only need to dice them thin and then fry them in the cast iron pan.
Love potatoes? Be sure to try my recipe for fried sweet potatoes!
What Makes the Best Fried Potatoes?
The key to making the best fried potatoes recipe is to start with high-quality potatoes. Once you have the potatoes, cut them into even-sized pieces, so they cook evenly.
Then, heat a generous amount of grease + butter in a large cast iron pan and add the potatoes. Fried until golden brown, turning occasionally, then season with salt and pepper.
Best Potatoes for Crispy Skillet Potatoes
When making cast iron fried potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes are the top choice for achieving the ideal crispiness.
Noted for their creamy texture and buttery flavor, these potatoes offer the perfect combination of moisture and starch, which creates a golden-brown, crisp exterior when cooked.
Best Oil for Fried Skillet Potatoes
The key to achieving the best-fried potatoes is a combination of oil and butter.
Refined coconut oil is ideal, as it is healthy and has a high smoke point. The combination of oil and butter creates a crisp, golden coating on the outside of the potatoes while also keeping them tender on the inside.
Seasoning for Cast Iron Skillet Potatoes
When seasoning these pan fried potatoes, I like to keep them simple with salt and pepper.
However, spruce up the recipe with other dried or fresh herbs and spices. Add minced garlic, paprika, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, or thyme for extra flavor.
Ingredients for Fried Potatoes
Fried potatoes are a great way to make a delicious and quick meal. They require minimal ingredients and are versatile enough for dinner or breakfast.
- Potatoes – Yukon Gold potatoes are the perfect variety to use when making skillet potatoes. I always opt for organic when possible and keep the peel intact. There is no need to pre-cook them in boiling water or soak them. They can be fried directly in the pan.
- Oil – When cooking cast iron skillet potatoes, choose an oil with a high smoke point with the combination of butter. For the most delicious fried potatoes, I recommend using refined coconut oil, pure lard, or bacon grease.
- Seasonings – When it comes to fried potatoes, I like to keep the seasoning simple and use a combination of salt and pepper. However, if you want more flavor, try adding chili powder, garlic salt, or smoked paprika.
How to Make the Best Fried Potatoes
Fried potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be prepared in various ways. Of all the options, I believe this is the quickest and most effortless way to make them while still achieving consistently delicious results.
It is an ideal recipe for busy days when you want to whip up a tasty side dish with minimal fuss. Here is the best way to make fried potatoes!
Prepare the Potatoes
Start by washing the raw potatoes with cold water to remove any dirt. Once clean, use a sharp knife to cut potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes.
You can remove the peel from the potatoes. However, I prefer to leave the peel on because I use organic potatoes.
Cook the Potatoes
Begin by preheating a large cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add both the butter and refined coconut oil. Once they are completely melted and begin to sizzle, add the diced potatoes.
Stir the potatoes around to ensure they are evenly coated. This will ensure that each potato is cooked evenly and thoroughly.
Continue Cooking the Potatoes
Reduce the stove top temperature to medium heat and leave the potatoes to cook for 5 minutes without stirring or flipping them. Afterward, carefully turn the potatoes over and allow them to cook for another 5 minutes.
For the next 25-30 minutes, continue the same process of cooking for 5 minutes and flipping them, or until the potatoes are cooked to your preference; golden brown and crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Finally, season the pan-fried potatoes with salt and pepper. Start with a small amount of salt and pepper, then adjust to your preference for taste.
Remove Excess Grease
To drain the grease off the fried potatoes, place the potatoes on a plate lined with a paper towel. Then gently blot the potatoes, allowing the grease to be absorbed into the paper towel. You can then move them to a fresh plate for serving.
Serve
The best way to serve pan fried potatoes is to serve them hot and crisp. Serve them immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Tips for Making the Best pan Fried Potatoes on Stove
- Use a Cast Iron Skillet – Using a large skillet to make fried potatoes is highly recommended. The heat generated from the pan helps the potatoes attain a nice, crispy exterior.
- Cube Potatoes the Same Size – It is important to cut them into cubes that are all about the same size to guarantee even cooking. The ideal cube size is around 1/2 inch.
- Use Hot Oil – The temperature of the cooking oil is important when making pan-fried potatoes. You should heat it until it sizzles in the pan, but it should not be smoking.
- Single Layer – When making fried potatoes, spread them out in a single layer in a large cast-iron skillet. This will avoid overcrowding, ensuring the potatoes cook evenly and quickly.
- Resist the Urge to Flip – Resisting the urge to flip the potatoes can be difficult, especially when they start to brown. The secret to perfectly pan-fried potatoes is to let them sit on one side long enough to get a nice golden color and crispness before flipping them.
Substitutions for Fried Potatoes
- Fat – Fried potatoes require some fat to get a crispy brown exterior. While I recommend refined coconut oil, bacon grease, or lard, you can choose olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Potatoes – The perfect potato to use in this recipe are Yukon Gold. However, you can use a different type of potato such as russet potatoes, red potatoes, new potatoes, or baby potatoes.
FAQs
Main Dish to Serve With Pan Fried Potatoes
These delicious potatoes fried in a cast iron skillet make a great breakfast dish or a tasty side dish for dinner. Try pairing them with some of these main dishes.
Printable Recipe Card | Pan Fried Potatoes
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Pan Fried Potatoes
This recipe for pan fried potatoes is the perfect way to make a delicious and easy side dish. The cast iron skillet potatoes are cooked on the stove until they are crispy and golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil
- salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
Start by washing the potatoes with cool water to remove any dirt. Once clean, use a sharp knife to cut them into 1/2-inch cubes.
You can remove the peel from the potatoes. However, I prefer to leave the peel on because I use organic potatoes.
Begin by preheating a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add both the butter and refined coconut oil. Once they are completely melted and begin to sizzle, add the diced potatoes.
Stir the potatoes around to ensure they are evenly coated with the butter and oil mixture. This will ensure that each potato is cooked evenly and thoroughly.
Reduce the stove top temperature to medium and leave the potatoes to cook for 5 minutes without stirring or flipping them. Afterward, carefully turn the potatoes over and allow them to cook for another 5 minutes.
For the next 25-30 minutes, continue the same process of cooking for 5 minutes and flipping them, or until the potatoes are cooked to your preference; golden brown and crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Finally, season the pan-fried potatoes with salt and pepper. Start with a small amount of salt and pepper, then adjust to your preference for taste.
The best way to serve pan-fried potatoes is to serve them hot and crisp. Serve them immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use a Cast Iron Skillet – Frying potatoes in a cast iron pan is highly recommended. The heat generated from the pan helps the potatoes attain a nice, crispy exterior.
- Cube Potatoes the Same Size – It is important to cut them into cubes that are all about the same size to guarantee even cooking. The ideal cube size is around 1/2 inch.
- Use Hot Oil – The temperature of the cooking oil is important when making pan-fried potatoes. You should heat the oil until it sizzles in the skillet, but it should not be smoking.
- Resist the Urge to Flip – Resisting the urge to flip the potatoes can be difficult, especially when they start to brown. The secret to perfectly pan-fried potatoes is to let them sit on one side long enough to get a nice golden color and crispness before flipping them.
I love pan fried potatoes with pinto beans and cornbread. Thanks for these new ideas. Pinned.