Recipe

Crispy Breakfast Skillet Potatoes

Golden, crunchy-edged potatoes with onion, garlic, and smoky spices, finished with butter and herbs. The kind of skillet situation that makes eggs, bacon, or leftovers feel like a full-on brunch.

By Matt Campbell

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4.8

A cast iron skillet filled with golden crispy breakfast potatoes with diced onions and herbs on a kitchen counter in morning light

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If your morning needs one dependable win, let it be crispy breakfast skillet potatoes. Not sad, pale cubes that steam themselves into surrender. I mean the real deal: crunchy edges, fluffy centers, onion bits that get caramelized and a little reckless, and enough seasoning to make you “taste-test” three times before the eggs even hit the pan.

This recipe is built for real life. It uses accessible ingredients, one skillet, and a few small tricks that turn ordinary potatoes into the kind of breakfast side that quietly becomes the main character.

Why It Works

Par-cooking first (microwave or quick simmer) means the potatoes cook through fast, then crisp instead of burning outside while staying raw inside.
A hot skillet plus enough oil creates that shallow-fry effect that gives you restaurant-style crunch.
Minimal stirring lets a crust form. If you fuss, the potatoes will stay soft and you will feel personally betrayed.
Butter at the end boosts flavor without lowering the pan temp early, which helps keep things crisp.
Seasoning in layers (some early, some late) keeps the potatoes bold without tasting dusty.

Storage Tips

How to Store and Reheat

Fridge: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: You can freeze them (up to 2 months), but they will lose a little of that fresh crisp. Still great for breakfast burritos.

Best Reheating Methods

Skillet (best): Medium heat with a small splash of oil. Spread potatoes out and cook 5 to 8 minutes, turning once, until hot and crisp again.
Oven or toaster oven: 425°F (220°C) for 8 to 12 minutes on a sheet pan.
Air fryer: 400°F (205°C) for 4 to 7 minutes, shaking halfway.
Microwave (least crisp but fastest): 60 to 90 seconds. Then, if you have 2 extra minutes of willpower, toss them in a hot pan to re-crisp.

Common Questions

What kind of potato is best for crispy breakfast potatoes?

Yukon Gold is my favorite for this. You get creamy insides and sturdy edges that crisp well. Russets also crisp beautifully, but they can break apart more easily, so be gentle after par-cooking.

Should I peel the potatoes?

Totally your call. I usually leave the skins on (less prep, more texture). If you want classic diner vibes, peel them.

Do I have to par-cook the potatoes?

You do not have to, but you will want to. Par-cooking is the difference between “crispy by brunch” and “still vaguely crunchy in the middle.” It also makes this a legit weeknight breakfast-for-dinner move.

Why are my potatoes not getting crispy?

Your pan is not hot enough.
You are crowding the skillet. Use a larger pan or cook in batches.
You are stirring too often. Let them sit and form a crust.
The potatoes are wet. Pat them dry after par-cooking and let the steam evaporate before they hit the pan.

Can I add peppers or mushrooms?

Yes. Add bell pepper once the potatoes are already mostly crisp so it does not dump water into the pan. Add mushrooms separately or cook them first, then remove and stir back in at the end.

How do I turn this into a full breakfast skillet?

Once the potatoes are crisp, make a few little wells, crack in 4 eggs, add 1 tablespoon water to the pan (optional but helpful for steam), cover, and cook on low until whites set. Finish with cheese, hot sauce, or scallions. Suddenly you are the brunch friend.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

12-inch cast iron skillet or heavy nonstick skillet
Microwave-safe bowl with a lid or plate (for par-cooking) or a small pot (for simmering)
Cutting board and chef’s knife
Spatula (a thin metal one is great for scraping up crusty bits)
Paper towels or a clean kitchen towel

I started making these potatoes after realizing my “breakfast plan” was usually just coffee and optimism. One Saturday, I chopped a potato, got distracted, and accidentally let it sit in a hot skillet long enough to form a real crust. It tasted like a diner breakfast in the best way, the kind that makes you sit down even if you were planning to eat standing at the counter like a raccoon.

Now this is my reliable move when the fridge is full of random bits. Leftover ham, a sad half-onion, a lone jalapeño, that last spoon of sour cream. Crispy potatoes make all of it feel intentional, which is basically my entire cooking personality.