Top 6 Northern Irish Breakfasts

Considered to be the ultimate breakfast food, Ulster fry is Northern Ireland's favorite dish consisting of sausages, streaky bacon, eggs and tomatoes, with the addition of griddle-baked soda farls (quarters) and potato bread, fried until golden crispy on the exterior, and tenderly fluffy on the interior. Although cooked breakfast first became popular in the Victorian period, Ulster fry owes its existence to the tourism 'boom' on the British Isles in the 1960s. Today, it is the single dish that is the most closely associated with Northern Ireland. The Fry must not contain anything that cannot be fried in bacon fat, and there is a heated debate about what can and cannot be included in the dish. Black pudding, mushrooms and chips are all ruled out, but tolerated by traditionalists, while hash browns are considered a heresy if found on an Ulster fry plate. This hearty breakfast is best accompanied by a cup of hot tea or whiskey-spiked Irish coffee.Expand

Visually similar to a small potato pancake, potato bread farl or fadge is a tasty Irish hash made with mashed potatoes, butter, flour, and salt. The dough is usually rolled and cut into squares or rounds, then baked on a griddle or a frying pan until golden brown in color. The word farl in its name refers to the way it is cut – usually into triangles. It first appeared at the beginning of the 20th century when people found a way to use leftover mashed potatoes. Today, potato bread farl is a staple of the traditional Irish breakfast known as Ulster Fry.Expand

Soda bread farl is an Irish griddle bread that is also a staple of the traditional Irish breakfast known as Ulster Fry. It consists of flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk. Just like any soda bread, it doesn't contain any yeast. In the past, soda bread farls were prepared as a quick and easy snack for unexpected guests. The word farl in its name refers to the process of rolling the dough into a flat circle, then dividing it into four pieces. Apart from the Ulster Fry, these farls can also be served with butter and homemade jam or with savory ingredients such as fried eel, bacon, and smoked salmon.Expand

Armagh County in Northern Ireland is famous for its apples, so it is not surprising that the people from the region developed this local specialty known as potato apple bread. It consists of mashed potatoes, cored and sliced apples, sugar, salt, flour, and butter. The dish is typically fried in a pan until its exterior gets browned, and it can then be served for breakfast or as a snack paired with a cup of tea. Alternatively, it can be served as a dessert with lemon curd and cream.Expand

Pratie oaten is a traditional savory breakfast cake originating from County Antrim. The dish is made with a combination of warm mashed potatoes, rolled oats, butter, and salt. The potatoes and oatmeal are mixed into a soft dough that's enriched with butter and seasoned with salt. The dough is cut into similar-sized pieces and shaped into rounds that are cut into quarters. The cakes are fried in butter on both sides until golden brown, and pratie oaten is then ready to be enjoyed. It's recommneded to serve these potato-oat cakes with eggs and bacon or sausages.Expand

Mealie greachie is a traditional peasant dish originating from Northern Ireland. Also known as toasted oatmeal, the dish is usually made with a combination of rolled oats, onions, butter, and Irish bacon. The bacon is browned in a skillet, removed, wrapped in foil, and set aside. The onions are fried in butter until soft, and then mixed with the oatmeal. The mixture is cooked until the oatmeal has browned. Once done, the toasted oatmeal is served with the reserved warm bacon. In the past, mealie greachie was eaten by farm laborers at harvest time for dinner.Expand