The Best Home Fries Recipe

a photo of golden crispy home fries on a plate next to two fried eggs

Nothing beats a crispy, crunchy side dish of home fries! They are so comforting and relaxing and everyone loves them! Eat them for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

There’s something so homey about chunks of crispy on the outside and soft in the middle potatoes. I didn’t grow up going to diners, nor do I now, but potatoes were a staple in my home and they always bring feelings of safety and happiness for me. So naturally diner potatoes were something I needed to try!

Ingredients for Home Fries

All you need is 7 simple ingredients to make home fries, and I’m willing to bet you have most (if not all) of them at home already. Here is what you will need:

Russet Potatoes
Baking Soda
Vegetable Oil
White Onion
Seasoned Salt
Ground Black Pepper
Unsalted Butter

The measurements needed of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the of the post.

How to Make Diner Style Home Fries

One of the keys to home fries is that as you cook them, if they start to look dry in the pan, you need to add a little bit more oil and stir coat them and let them keep cooking. Let me walk you through the whole recipe step by step:

Prep: Start by washing the potatoes and you can peel them if you want. Cut the potatoes into half-inch cubes.
Boil: This step is optional, but if you want extra crispy potatoes, start by boiling the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to cover the potatoes.
Cook: Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Put a lid on the pot and bring the water to a boil. Once it is boiling, remove the lid and let the potatoes cook until the cubes are easily pierced with a fork.
Drain: Once the potatoes are fork tender, drain them well and then pat them dry.
Sauté: While the potatoes are cooking, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet (use a cast iron skillet if desired) and add the onions. Sauté the onions until they are soft and translucent. Remove the skillet to plate and set them aside.
Cook: Add the rest of the oil to the same skillet over medium-high heat and add the potatoes in a single layer (you may need to do a few batches). Allow the potatoes to cook on each side until golden and crispy. Stir as needed and let the potatoes cook.
- NOTE: This is where you may need to add more oil if the potatoes start to look dry as you work through the batches.
Combine: Once all the potatoes are browned and crispy on all sides, add all the potatoes, onions and butter to the skillet and season with the salt and pepper and toss everything together to combine.
Serve: Serve the potatoes hot and enjoy!

The complete instructions can be found in the recipe card down below where you can also save or print the recipe.

Tips for the Best Skillet Potatoes

Here are a few tips for making the best skillet potatoes…crispy on the outside and soft inside…

Cut the potatoes to similar sizes so that they cook evenly as they boil and as they pan fry.
Parboiling the potatoes before pan frying them ensures that soft interior.
Sauté the onions separately while the potatoes are boiling. Trying to cook the onions and potatoes together won’t work because the onions will cook faster and burn.
Give the potatoes plenty of space to cook in the hot oil in the skillet. Don’t overcrowd the pan! Cook the potatoes in batches, and you will add everything back to the skillet to heat everything up right before serving.

Are Home Fries and Fried Potatoes the Same Thing?

Home fries and fried potatoes are different though both are absolute heaven! Home fries are cubed potatoes that are boiled and then fried in a pan on the stove top. Fried potatoes are deep fried like french fries and they aren’t shredded or grated like hash browns are.

Why is Baking Soda Used in Home Fries?

Baking soda may be a surprising ingredient, but it has a important purpose. Adding baking soda to the water when you boil the potatoes makes the water more alkaline. This helps to create a sort of starchy paste on the outside of the potato pieces. When potatoes hit the hot oil. that starchy paste gets crispy while the inside stays fluffy and soft.

Best Potatoes for Home Fries?

We prefer to use russet potatoes for home fries because they are starchy potatoes and cook up soft and fluffy. Another great option is yukon gold potatoes.

What to Eat with Home Fries

Like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, home fries can be eaten as a side dish with any meal. They are typically served with breakfast as a side for anything from fried eggs or scrambled eggs to french toast or buttermilk pancakes. Don’t forget to make a side of bacon too!

I also serve them with dinner all the time. They are great with garlic butter steak, classic meatloaf, or roasted whole chicken. They really are fantastic with anything!

How to Store Home Fries

Home fries should be served hot and fresh for the best flavor and texture. Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator and they will keep for up to 2 days. The can be reheated on the stove top in a pan over medium-high heat. Reheating them in the microwave, oven or air fryer are also great options.

Breakfast potatoes can also be frozen. Allow them to cool completely and then place them in a ziploc bag or freezer-safe container. They will keep for up to 3 months. Let them thaw to room temperature and then reheat per the methods suggest above.

Enjoy delicious and crispy home fries in the comfort of your own home with this easy step by step guide. No need to go out to a restaurant, make them yourself in no time!

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