Crispy diner-style home fries from your kitchen are easier than you think with my recipe!
Are you a diner fan? There’s just something amazing about a classic diner and the meals you get there. It’s honest, homemade type meals that, when you’re traveling, make you miss home.
I’d have to say 99.9% of the time when I’d stop at a diner, I’d always get a huge breakfast.
There’s just something comforting when they set a huge plate of sunnyside-up eggs, crispy bacon, sausage, toast (always cut diagonally), and a heaping pile of crispy home fries.
All that was missing was me in my pajamas and some random tv show on in the background. Well now that I don’t travel as much, I still crave those crispy home fries so I had to recreate my Mom’s recipe. Let’s get started!
Grab Your Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients:
- Oil
- Butter
- Yellow Onion
- Bell pepper
- Large red potatoes
- Seasonings
- Water
Let’s Make Home Fries!
- First, you need to saute up your onions and peppers. Now you don’t have to use them if you aren’t a fan. I add them as they are kind of a staple in diner home fries. Plus I love the flavor they impart into the potatoes.
- While the veggies are sauteing, you need to par-boil the potatoes for a bit.
Why boil the potatoes?
By doing this, you’re removing some of the starch from the potatoes. It also does 2 things:
- Helps them cook evenly
- By pulling some of the starch out, you’re forming almost a gelatinous layer on the potato. So when it cooks, it helps to dehydrate the potato thus giving you a crispy potato!
- Once the potatoes are par-boiled, add the butter to the pan with the sauteed veggies, add in the potatoes in a single layer.
- WITHOUT stirring, allow them to cook for 4-5 minutes. You want to move the potatoes during this time as you want it to brown up.
- Then, carefully flip and continue cooking.
- Once all sides are brownd, add the seasonings and enjoy!
Home Fries Suggestions
- Plated with sunnyside up eggs over top
- Covered in chili, cheese, and onions
- On a breakfast pizza with bacon, egg and sausage
- In a wrap or breakfast burrito
- In a bowl with chicken or ground beef, cheese and veggies
Ultimate Crispy Home Fries
Crispy diner-style home fries from your kitchen are easier than you think with my recipe!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: potatoes
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: breakfast, side dishes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped into small pieces
- 1/2 cup red pepper, seeded and chopped into small pieces
- 4 medium-large red potatoes, skin on and cubed
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2–3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy 12” skillet over medium-high heat. Do not let it smoke. Add the onion & pepper and cook until browned about 8-10 minutes. Do not let this burn. Stir frequently. When done, remove from heat and transfer to a bowl.
- While the onions and peppers are cooking add the potatoes into a large saucepan. Add just enough cool water just until the tops of the potatoes are covered and they float slightly. Place the pan over high heat. As soon as the water begins to boil, remove from the heat and drain the potatoes in a colander. ~5 minutes.
- In the pan, the onions and peppers were sautéed in, place it back on the burner to medium-high and add the butter and remaining oil. When the butter foams, add the potatoes in a single layer, making sure each potato is touching the surface of the skillet. Allow to cook for 4-5 minutes WITHOUT stirring. You want the sides to brown. Once browned on one side, carefully flip and brown the other sides. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
- Once all the sides are crispy brown, add the onions and peppers back in and gently stir. Next add in the salt, black, pepper, and paprika. Stir gently and remove from heat.
- Enjoy!
Notes
If you’re a fan of smoked paprika, this is really good with garlic powder or hot sauce. Maybe some cumin or just plain salt and pepper.
Leave a Reply