Imagine waking up to the aroma of perfectly seasoned, crispy breakfast potatoes, just like your favorite diner makes them. This guide will show you how to recreate that restaurant-quality experience right in your own kitchen with an easy red breakfast potatoes recipe. Forget complicated steps; this dish takes minimal prep time and delivers incredible flavor that will elevate any morning meal.
Skillet Red Breakfast Potatoes: Your New Morning Favorite
There’s a special joy in a leisurely brunch or a hearty breakfast out, especially when it involves those irresistible, perfectly cooked breakfast potatoes. For many, recent times have meant more meals at home, stirring a longing for those beloved restaurant dishes. I, too, found myself dreaming of the amazing Caprese Eggs Benedict from Two Chicks in Reno, not just for the eggs themselves, but for the glorious breakfast potatoes served alongside, drenched in epic hollandaise sauce. My mouth still waters just thinking about them.
I also fondly recall the unique Dutch Baby from Oh Baby! at The Collective in OKC, a hub for diverse culinary experiences. While Oh Baby has since closed its doors, the memory of those cherished breakfast dishes ignited a quest: to bring that restaurant magic into my own home. And what better way to start than with a classic that never disappoints: skillet breakfast potatoes.
This morning, facing a few more weeks of home-cooked meals, I decided it was time to dive in. The result? A batch of skillet breakfast potatoes made with tender red potatoes and a simple yet profound seasoning blend. Paired with leftover Bourbon Glazed Ham and fluffy scrambled eggs, it was an absolutely delicious way to kick off the day. This recipe isn’t just about cooking; it’s about creating comfort and capturing the essence of your favorite breakfast spot, right from your stove.
Are there any breakfast recipes you’ve been yearning to master at home? My ever-growing list includes classics like Eggs Benedict, light and airy blueberry scones, savory corned beef hash, nostalgic homemade pop tarts, vibrant huevos rancheros, spicy shakshuka, and delicate crepes. While I may not conquer them all while at home, the journey of culinary exploration is a delicious one!
Why Red Potatoes Are Perfect for Breakfast
When it comes to breakfast potatoes, the choice of potato can significantly impact the final texture and flavor. Red potatoes are an excellent choice for this recipe for several reasons. Their thin skins mean you don’t need to peel them, saving you time and retaining valuable nutrients. The skin also adds a lovely rustic texture and helps the potato hold its shape during cooking, contributing to that desirable crispy exterior. Inside, red potatoes have a waxy texture, which means they remain firm and creamy, rather than becoming mushy, making them ideal for frying and roasting. This contrast between a crisp outside and a tender inside is precisely what makes restaurant breakfast potatoes so addictive.
While red potatoes are highly recommended, you can experiment with other varieties. Yukon Gold potatoes offer a buttery flavor and similar creamy texture, while Russet potatoes can yield a very crispy exterior, though their flesh might be a bit drier. Regardless of your choice, ensure your potatoes are firm, free of sprouts, and stored in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness.
Crafting the Ultimate Breakfast Potato Seasoning
The secret to truly memorable breakfast potatoes often lies in the seasoning. For our recipe, we keep it delightfully simple yet incredibly effective, using a classic combination of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. This trio provides a savory foundation that enhances the potato’s natural flavor without overpowering it.
However, don’t hesitate to customize this blend to suit your taste. If you have a favorite pre-made spice blend, like the popular Squirrley spices from Waddell’s (a fantastic restaurant in Spokane), feel free to use it. These blends often feature a perfect balance of flavors, offering a slight kick without being overly spicy. To expand your flavor profile, consider adding:
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a beautiful reddish hue and a deep, smoky undertone that complements the potatoes wonderfully.
- Onion Powder: Enhances the savory notes and provides a more complex aromatic base.
- Chili Powder: For a subtle warmth and earthy flavor.
- Dried Herbs: A touch of rosemary or thyme can introduce a fragrant, sophisticated element.
- Cayenne Pepper: If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of cayenne can liven things up.
The key is to sprinkle generously but evenly, ensuring every potato piece gets coated in the delicious seasoning. This ensures a burst of flavor in every bite.
Essential Tools for Skillet Breakfast Potatoes
Having the right kitchen tools makes the cooking process much smoother and helps achieve the best results. For these skillet breakfast potatoes, you’ll need a few basics:
- Cutting Board: A sturdy surface for safely chopping your potatoes.
- Sharp Knife: Essential for precise and consistent cuts, which are crucial for even cooking. A dull knife is actually more dangerous than a sharp one.
- Saute Pan (with a lid): The star of the show! A good quality saute pan, ideally a large one (10-12 inches), is vital. A larger pan allows the potatoes to spread out in a single layer, preventing overcrowding, which is key for getting those coveted crispy edges. The lid is equally important, as it helps trap steam in the initial cooking phase, ensuring the potatoes cook through before they start to crisp up. It also prevents oil splatters, keeping your kitchen cleaner.
While not strictly necessary, an optional addition could be a metal spatula or turner for effectively flipping and stirring the potatoes without breaking them apart too much.
Prepping and Cooking Your Perfect Breakfast Potatoes
The secret to restaurant-style breakfast potatoes lies in a combination of technique and patience. The goal is a beautifully golden-brown, crispy exterior with a soft, fluffy interior. Here’s how to achieve it:
1. The Perfect Cut
When you cut the red potatoes, aim for small, bite-sized pieces. Consistency is key here; uniformly sized pieces will cook evenly. If some pieces are too large, they might remain raw in the center, while smaller ones could burn. I like to aim for roughly ½ to ¾-inch cubes. Don’t be afraid to embrace a variety of shapes – cubes, wedges, or even small irregular chunks – as long as they’re similar in size. This adds visual appeal and textural diversity to the final dish.
2. Drying for Crispness
Before cooking, it’s crucial to thoroughly dry your potato pieces. Excess moisture can prevent browning and lead to steamed, rather than crispy, potatoes. After washing, pat them completely dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. This step makes a significant difference in achieving that desired crispiness.
3. The Cooking Process: Steam and Sear
A two-stage cooking method is ideal for breakfast potatoes: an initial steaming phase followed by a crisping phase. This ensures the potatoes are cooked through before they develop their golden crust.
First, make sure your saute pan is properly preheated. Add your olive oil and let it shimmer before adding the potatoes. This creates an immediate sear and helps prevent sticking. Distribute the potato pieces in an even layer as much as possible. Overcrowding the pan will lower the temperature and lead to steaming instead of frying, so if you’re making a larger batch, cook in batches. Sprinkle your chosen seasoning liberally over the top.
Cover the pan with its lid and cook on medium-high heat for about 8 minutes. The lid traps the steam, allowing the potatoes to cook tenderly from the inside out. Be mindful when lifting the lid to stir; the hot oil and steam can be intense. Stir the potatoes gently about halfway through this initial cooking time to ensure even exposure to heat. This initial phase softens the potatoes and starts the cooking process.
After 8 minutes, remove the lid and lower the heat to medium-low. This is the crisping phase. Stir the potatoes again, then allow them to cook uncovered for another 8-10 minutes, stirring every few minutes. This allows the moisture to escape and the potatoes to develop a beautiful golden-brown, crispy crust. The larger the pan, the more spread out the potatoes can be, leading to more crunchy bits, which many consider the best part of skillet breakfast potatoes!
Continue to cook until they are fork-tender on the inside and perfectly golden and crispy on the outside. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
Once your skillet red breakfast potatoes are cooked to perfection, the possibilities for serving are endless. They make an ideal accompaniment to almost any breakfast or brunch spread.
- Classic Pairings: Serve them alongside fluffy scrambled eggs, sunny-side-up eggs, crispy bacon, or savory sausage links. Their robust flavor stands up well to heartier breakfast meats.
- Sauces and Toppings: A dollop of ketchup is always a favorite, but consider elevated options like a spicy sriracha mayo, a tangy homemade hollandaise, or even a fresh salsa for a Tex-Mex twist. Garnish with chopped fresh chives, parsley, or green onions for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Shredded cheddar cheese melted over the top in the last minute of cooking is also incredibly delicious.
- Flavor Variations:
- Onion and Bell Pepper: Sauté diced onions and bell peppers (any color) in the pan for the last 5-7 minutes of cooking for added sweetness and crunch.
- Spicy Kick: Toss with a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce right before serving.
- Herby Delight: Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs can be added to the pan during the last few minutes of cooking for an aromatic infusion.
- Cheese Lover’s Potatoes: Sprinkle your favorite shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend) over the potatoes during the last minute of cooking, cover, and let it melt until gooey.
These versatile potatoes are not just for breakfast; they make a fantastic side dish for dinner too, accompanying roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked fish. Enjoy experimenting with different flavors to make them truly your own!
How to Make Skillet Breakfast Potatoes
Learn how to make crispy skillet breakfast potatoes at home with red potatoes and a simple seasoning. This super easy breakfast side dish tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant.
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 187 kcal
Author: Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 5 Red Potatoes
- Olive Oil
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Dash Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cut red potatoes into small, bite-sized pieces (approx. ½ to ¾ inch cubes). Ensure they are as uniform as possible for even cooking.
- Pat the cut potatoes thoroughly dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving crispiness.
- Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and allow it to warm up until shimmering.
- Add the dried red potatoes to the pan in an even layer. Sprinkle the seasoning (salt, garlic powder, black pepper) generously over the top.
- Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 8 minutes on medium-high heat. Stir the potatoes gently halfway through this cooking time to ensure even exposure to heat and steam.
- After 8 minutes, remove the lid and lower the heat to medium-low. Stir the potatoes again.
- Continue to cook uncovered for an additional 8-10 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the potatoes are tender on the inside and beautifully golden and crispy on the outside.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot and enjoy!
Kitchen Tools
- Cutting Board
- Sharp Knife
- Large Saute Pan with Lid
Nutrition Facts
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More Great Breakfast Recipes to Explore
If you loved these homemade breakfast potatoes, you’re sure to enjoy these other delightful morning recipes:
- Cinnamon Roll Waffles: A sweet and indulgent treat perfect for a weekend brunch.
- Air Fryer Toaster Strudel: A quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pastry with minimal fuss.
- Air Fryer Sausage Links: Perfectly cooked sausages that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
- Eggs in a Basket: A fun and comforting breakfast classic that’s surprisingly simple to make.
- Bacon Gravy: The ultimate savory topping for biscuits, toast, or even your newly mastered breakfast potatoes.
Do you love discovering new recipes? Be sure to check out our extensive collection of copycat recipes, irresistible dessert recipes, and convenient CrockPot Recipes for every meal and occasion.
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