Skillet Breakfast Potatoes Recipe: A Delicious Start to Your Morning

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Imagine waking up to the smell of delicious, crispy breakfast potatoes sizzling in a skillet. Skillet breakfast potatoes are a simple and quick way to start your day with a flavorful and hearty meal. You don’t have to be a master chef to make these; with just a few ingredients and steps, you’ll have perfect potatoes every time.

Using a mix of butter and oil, these potatoes are cooked to a golden brown with a crispy outside and tender inside. Seasoned with a blend of spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika, every bite is packed with flavor. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or for a family brunch, these skillet potatoes are sure to be a hit.

Ready to make your mornings better? Grab your skillet and let’s get cooking!

Exact Ingredients (+ Possible Substitutes)

To make skillet breakfast potatoes, you’ll need a few key ingredients listed below:

• Potatoes: 1-2 pounds, diced. You can use russet, red, or Yukon gold potatoes as substitutes.
• Butter and/or Olive Oil: 2-3 tablespoons. Feel free to use just butter, just oil, or a mix of both.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.

Seasonings

• Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon.
• Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon.
• Smoked Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon.
• Cayenne Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon.

Optional Add-ins

• Onions: Diced, about 1/2 cup.
• Bell Peppers: Diced, about 1/2 cup.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, about 1-2 teaspoons.

Possible Substitutes

Ingredient	Substitute
Butter	Margarine or ghee
Olive Oil	Canola oil or avocado oil
Garlic Powder	Fresh garlic, minced
Onion Powder	Fresh onions, finely chopped
Smoked Paprika	Regular paprika
Cayenne Pepper	Chili powder

Choose the ingredients and their substitutes based on your taste and what you have available at home. Enjoy making your skillet breakfast potatoes!

Instructions

1. 
   

   Heat oil and butter: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter melts and sizzles.

   
   
2. 
   

   Add potatoes: Add diced potatoes in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and smoked paprika.

   
   
3. 
   

   Cook: Cook for about 5 minutes without stirring to let the bottoms brown.

   
   
4. 
   

   Stir and mix: Flip the potatoes, and add diced onions. Mix occasionally to ensure even browning.

   
   
5. 
   

   Check readiness: Cook for another 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are tender and crispy.

   
   

Use a spatula to gently move the potatoes around for even cooking. Enjoy your flavorful skillet breakfast potatoes!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Tips:

• 
  

  Pre-Boil Potatoes: Boil the potatoes for about 5 minutes before adding them to the skillet. This helps them cook faster and become extra crispy.

  
  
• 
  

  Single Layer Cooking: Cook the potatoes in a single, flat layer without stirring for a few minutes. This allows one side to brown nicely.

  
  
• 
  

  Seasoning: Use seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance the flavor. Add fresh herbs at the end for a burst of freshness.

  
  

Tricks:

• 
  

  Oil Choice: Use a mix of butter and oil for richer flavor and perfect browning. Butter adds taste, and oil has a higher smoke point.

  
  
• 
  

  Uniform Size: Dice the potatoes into small, even pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.

  
  
• 
  

  Avoid Overcrowding: To get crispy potatoes, avoid overcrowding the skillet. Overcrowding leads to steaming rather than browning.

  
  

Storing:

• 
  

  Refrigeration: Store leftover breakfast potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay good for up to 4 days.

  
  
• 
  

  Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. This keeps them crispy. Alternatively, use an oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes.

  
  
• 
  

  Freezing: For longer storage, freeze cooked potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They can be reheated directly from frozen in a skillet or oven.

  
  

Recipe Variations & Serving Suggestions

There are plenty of ways to make skillet breakfast potatoes your own.

Add Extra Vegetables

• Bell peppers: Add chopped red, green, or yellow bell peppers.
• Spinach: Stir in fresh spinach towards the end.
• Tomatoes: Add cherry tomatoes cut in half for a juicy twist.

Change Up the Seasonings

• For a bit of a kick, add cayenne pepper or chili powder.
• Use Italian seasoning for a herby flavor.
• Add cumin and oregano for a southwestern taste.

Try Different Potatoes

• Red potatoes: These add a bit more sweetness.
• Sweet potatoes: Perfect for a sweeter and healthier option.
• Russet potatoes: A classic choice that gets nice and crispy.

Serve with Protein

Pair your breakfast potatoes with:

• Scrambled eggs
• Bacon or sausage
• Tofu scramble for a vegetarian option

Toppings & Extras

• Sprinkle with shredded cheese like cheddar or mozzarella.
• Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Top with chopped green onions or fresh parsley.

Dipping Sauces

• Ketchup
• Sriracha mayo
• Garlic aioli

By mixing and matching these ideas, you can create a unique and delicious breakfast every time. Enjoy your meal!