How to Make Crispy Potatoes in a Cast Iron Skillet

Name: How To Cook Crispy Potatoes In A Cast Iron Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 large russet potatoes (scrubbed and cleaned); ½ cup neutral oil (avocado, coconut, or olive oil); Salt

Crispy skillet potatoes are delicious and easy side to add to any meal, and this method ensures you end up with perfectly crispy potatoes every time!

A spoonful of cooked potatoes over a cast iron skillet.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Tools You May Need
How to Make Crispy Skillet Potatoes
Tips
Recipe FAQs
More Potato Recipes from the Farmhouse
How to Make Crispy Potatoes in a Cast Iron Skillet Video
How To Cook Crispy Potatoes In A Cast Iron Skillet Recipe

There’s something irresistibly satisfying about golden, crispy potatoes fresh out of a hot skillet. And I have tried all the tricks in the book for consistently getting golden brown, crispy skillet potatoes. The secret is keeping a single layer of potatoes and not covering the pan with a lid. This ensures you get deliciously golden potatoes every time.

Whether you’re serving them up for a lazy weekend brunch or pairing them with a hearty dinner, these crispy skillet potatoes deliver big flavor with just a few simple ingredients and an even simpler method. All you need are a few pantry staples and 10 minutes for a batch of crispy, golden home fries!

Pair these deliciously crispy potatoes with a simple homemade meat loaf, a perfectly cooked whole chicken, or some Italian beef for an easy dinner. They are also delicious for breakfast, especially when paired with poached eggs (or any egg recipe really!).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly crispy every time – This method gives you that golden, crunchy exterior without deep frying—just a hot skillet and a few tricks make all the difference.

Simple ingredients, big flavor – All you need are pantry staples like potatoes, oil, and salt to create a side dish that steals the show.

Versatile & crowd-pleasing – Serve them for breakfast with eggs, as a dinner side, or even as a snack with dipping sauce. These potatoes are the best way to serve a crowd and make your main dish stretch because everyone loves crispy, home fried potatoes!

Ingredients

Potatoes, oil, and salt sitting on a marble countertop.

Potatoes – Russet potatoes work great in this recipe, but really any potato type will work.

Oil – Choose a neutral oil like avocado oil. I have also used coconut oil with great results.

Salt – I like pink or kosher salt. Any type of salt that you prefer will work.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Tools You May Need

Cast iron skillet – The cast iron pan really helps to crisp up the potatoes. If you don’t have one, you can use any large skillet.

How to Make Crispy Skillet Potatoes

Step 1: Cut the potatoes into small bite-sized pieces, about ½” thick. Once all the potatoes are cut, use a clean towel to pat the potato pieces completely dry. You don’t want the potatoes to have any excess moisture.

Potatoes cooking in a cast iron skillet.

Step 2: Heat a 10 – 12 inch large skillet (I like cast iron) over medium to medium-high heat and add the oil. Let the pan and oil heat up for about 3 – 5 minutes. Place a piece of potato into the skillet and if it starts sizzling, it’s ready.

Second batch of potatoes cooking in the skillet, first batch draining in a tray.

Step 3: Working in batches, add a handful of the cut potatoes into the hot skillet. Spread evenly so they all have space to cook. Do not overcrowd the skillet with too many potatoes.

Cooked potatoes being flipped in a cast iron skillet.

Step 4: Cook for about 7 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook for another 3 – 4 minutes or until the second side is golden brown and the potato is tender.

Cooked potatoes being placed on a towel to soak up grease.

Step 5: Remove the crispy potatoes from the pan and place onto a paper towel lined plate or baking sheet to drain the excess oil, and immediately hit with a pinch of salt.

Potatoes on a paper towel with a jar of salt in the middle.

Step 6: Repeat with the remaining potatoes. This may be about 3 – 4 batches.

Tips

Don’t overcrowd the pan with too many potatoes. If you do it will create steam and not get a crispy potato.
Do not cover the pan with a lid as this creates steam.
Keep the potatoes about ½” thick (not too small, but not too large) so that they will cook up crispy.
Resist the urge to stir constantly. Let the potatoes cook undisturbed for a few minutes to form that golden crust.

Recipe FAQs

How to get crispy potatoes in a skillet?

Make sure to use medium or medium-high heat, keep potatoes about ½” thick, don’t overcrowd the pan, and resist the urge to stir them constantly.

What’s the secret to crispy fried potatoes?

The biggest secret is to keep the potatoes in a single layer and not over-crowd the pan. When the potatoes are touching, they will soften because of the steam.

How do I store and reheat crispy skillet potatoes?

To store, let them cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat and bring back their crispiness, warm them in a skillet with a little oil, pop them in a 400°F oven for about 10 – 15 minutes, or use an air fryer at 375°F for 5 – 7 minutes.

What should I season skillet potatoes with?

We like to sprinkle ours with salt, but you can also get creative with other herbs that you like. Garlic or onion powder, rosemary, and/or thyme would be delicious!

fully cooked potatoes in a skillet on the countertop.

More Potato Recipes from the Farmhouse

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you could come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone.