Easy Home Fried Potatoes & Onions

Southern Fried Potatoes and Onions or home fried potatoes as I like to call them are a classic comfort food dish that's perfect to enjoy for breakfast, brunch, or as a delicious side dish. Plus they're easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. 

If you're craving more tasty potato recipes, then try making some Easy Roasted Potatoes, Baked Potato Wedges, and Skillet Sausage and Potatoes. 

Growing up one of my favorite breakfast items was my mom's fried potatoes and onions or as she called them home fries. 

It's such a simple recipe that only requires a few ingredients but is so filling, comforting, and delicious. There's something magical about the blend of a tender fried potato with sauteed onions plus a few seasonings. They can be paired with anything from steak and salmon patties to fried apples and scrambled eggs. 

Let's get started!

Ingredients You'll Need

1. Raw Potatoes - I prefer using russet potatoes for this recipe, but most starchy potatoes will work. You may remove the outer skin or peel the potato or not, it's completely up to you. You can also use waxy potatoes such as Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes if you prefer. 
2. Onion - Any yellow onion or white onion will work. I love using a sweet Vidalia onion because the sweetness pairs well with the savory potato and spices. 
3. Olive Oil - Needed to saute the potatoes and onion. You may need to add more as the potatoes cook. Vegetable oil, canola oil, and avocado oil are also good substitutes. 
4. Paprika - Add a smokey and slightly salty flavor. 
5. Salt & Ground Black Pepper - Seasons the potatoes and brings out the flavor, keeping the overall dish from tasting bland. Adjust as needed. 

See the recipe card below for a detailed ingredient list and instructions.

Recipe Variations

These breakfast potatoes are simple to make and delicious if prepared as the recipe suggests. However, if you want to add even more flavor, then here are a few ideas:

• Bell Peppers: Try adding green, yellow, or red pepper along with the potatoes and onion for a peppery and slightly sweet flavor. 
• Garlic Powder: For some dry intense flavor add in a little garlic powder with the other seasonings. 
• Bacon: Cook some bacon before and leave the bacon grease in the pan and use that to add more flavor to the potatoes. Also, chop the crispy cooked bacon and add it to the potatoes before serving. 
• Spicy: Make the potatoes spicy by adding in a little bit of cayenne pepper, chili powder, or crushed red pepper. 
• Fresh Herbs: Brighten up these southern fried potatoes, by adding in some chopped fresh parsley, rosemary, thyme, or basil.

Homemade Home Fries Instructions 

Begin the recipe by cleaning and peeling the potatoes if you prefer. Slice or chop each potato into even-sized pieces so that they will cook evenly. Place the prepared potatoes into a large bowl of cold water and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes. Remove the cloudy water and continue to rinse the potatoes in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain the potatoes of all the excess water and make sure they are as dry as possible. 

Place a large skillet, large frying pan, or cast iron skillet on the stovetop at medium heat and allow it time to preheat. Once the skillet is heated, add the oil and carefully swirl it around the pan. Add in the prepared potatoes, sliced onion, paprika, salt, and ground black pepper.

Stir the mixture to make sure all of the ingredients are coated in the oil and seasonings. Spread out in the bottom of the pan in a single layer. Allow it to cook undisturbed for 5 minutes, until the potatoes develop a golden-brown crust on the bottom. 

Turn the potatoes and allow them to continue cooking for about 15 to 20 minutes, checking them every 5 minutes to make sure they are cooking evenly and becoming golden brown.

Try not to mess with them too often or they will become mushy instead of crispy. If you notice the potatoes are sticking and browning too fast, lower the stovetop temperature to medium-low heat. If the potatoes are sticking too much, try adding a little more oil. 

Carefully remove the crispy home fries from the skillet and serve immediately while they are still warm. Try topping with your favorite hot sauce, sriracha, or ketchup for another layer of flavor. Enjoy!

Best Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Watch the stovetop temperature! The temperature needs to be low enough to make the potatoes fork tender, but high enough to make them crispy. If the temperature is too high, you may end up with uncooked browned potatoes. I find that medium to medium-low heat works best, but adjust as needed as all stovetops are not the same. 
• Cut the potatoes in evenly. You make this recipe with sliced potatoes, diced potatoes, or cubed potatoes whichever you prefer. Just make sure they are even in size to ensure they will cook evenly. 
• Add more oil if you need it as the potatoes cook. This really isn't a recipe that you can ignore. You have to watch it closely and make adjustments as needed. 
• Make sure the potatoes are dry before adding to the skillet. If you need to pat them with paper towels to dry them, then do it. 

Storage Tips

Storing. If you have any leftover potatoes, allow them time to cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. 

Reheating. When you are ready to serve your leftover home fries again, reheat them in a skillet over medium-high heat until warm. They may also be reheated in the air fryer to keep them crispy. Heating them in the microwave will result in warm tender potatoes that will not be crispy. 

Freezing. Cooked potatoes and onions can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. However, the texture will change. They will not be as crispy and I find that they will be more like steamed potatoes. 

Want More Easy Potato Recipes? Try These: 

• Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
• Sheet Pan Roasted Potatoes 
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes 
• Baked Potato Wedges 
• Greek Potatoes 
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes 
• Skillet Sausage and Potatoes 
• Bacon Frittata with Potato and Spinach 
• Chicken Nuggets and Fries

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy these Home Fried Potatoes? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe