One bite of these Skillet Breakfast Potatoes and you’ll be hooked! They’ve got the perfect seasoning blend and a method that guarantees crispy exteriors with light, fluffy interiors.

Skillet Breakfast Potatoes freshly made and ready to be enjoyed.

Why These Are The Best Skillet Breakfast Potatoes:

  1. Perfect to prep ahead: Partially cook the potatoes beforehand for quick morning cooking.
  2. Ideal texture: Crispy outside, fluffy inside.
  3. Simple, tasty seasoning: Easy yet mega-flavorful spice blend.
  4. Crowd pleaser: Loved by all ages!
  5. Nutritious: Rich in vitamins and fiber.
  6. Meal prep friendly: Great for bulk cooking and reheating.
  7. Cost effective: Uses affordable, common ingredients.
All the ingredients used in this recipe prepped out for easy preparation.

Skillet Breakfast Potato Ingredients

  • Gold potatoes: Ideal for creamy texture and flavor. Thin skins mean no need to peel!
  • Unsalted butter: Enhances flavor.
  • Olive oil: Adds richness; use extra virgin.
  • Garlic powder: Offers great flavor without the risk of burning, unlike fresh garlic.
  • Onion powder: Subtle sweetness; use fresh onion for a stronger flavor.
  • Paprika: Use smoked paprika for smokiness, and sweet for mild flavor.
  • Optional herbs: Fresh thyme or parsley adds the perfect finishing touch!
Potatoes being diced into cubes for these Skillet Breakfast Potatoes.

How To Make Skillet Breakfast Potatoes

  1. Prepare potatoes: Scrub, dry, par-cook, and dice.
  2. Cook potatoes: In butter and oil until crispy.
  3. Serve: Season, garnish, and enjoy!

Quick Tip

No microwave? Steam on the stovetop instead!

How To Use Skillet Breakfast Potatoes

  • Side dish: Pair with eggs and bacon (or your protein of choice).
  • Breakfast bowl: Combine with eggs, cheese, and avocado.
  • Burritos or tacos: Add to tortillas with eggs and your fave toppings.
  • Breakfast hash: Mix with veggies, and top with egg.
  • Meal prep: Ready-to-go breakfasts for the week.
  • Snack dip: Enjoy as a lunch or dinner side with ketchup or fry sauce.
Butter, oil, veggies, and seasonings being added to a pan and all being cooked together.

What To Serve With Skillet Breakfast Potatoes

  1. Scrambled Eggs: Or however you like your eggs prepared!
  2. Breakfast sausage or bacon: Adds protein.
  3. Fruit: As a fresh option.
  4. Toasted Bread: Perfect topped with honey butter and jam.
  5. Avocado: Creamy and nutritious.
  6. Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Plus some salsa!
  7. Cheese: Adds a nice richness.
Freshly cooked Skillet Breakfast Potatoes ready to be enjoyed.

Storage

Leftovers?

  • Cool: Allow Skillet Breakfast Potatoes to cool to room temperature.
  • Refrigerate: In an airtight container, chill up to 4 days.
  • Freeze: Spread on a baking sheet, then store in a freezer bag, for up to three months.
  • Reheat: Oven or air fryer at 400°F until warm and crispy.

More Breakfast Favorites:

5 from 2 votes

Skillet Breakfast Potatoes

One bite of these Skillet Breakfast Potatoes, and you’re hooked! Perfectly seasoned, crispy outside, and fluffy inside—they’re irresistibly good.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 as a side

Equipment

  • 12-inch skillet cast iron if possible

Ingredients 
 

  • 1-1/2 pounds gold potatoes 4 heaping cups once cut, see note 1
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika smoked if you prefer
  • fresh thyme or finely chopped parsley, optional garnish

Instructions 

  • Clean and thoroughly dry potatoes. Pierce them all over with a fork.
  • Cook in microwave 90 seconds. Flip potatoes and cook for another 90 seconds. Continue microwaving in 60-second intervals, flipping each time, until a knife can be inserted into the center with some resistance. (Total microwaving time about 3.5–5 minutes. See Note 2.)
  • Now you can refrigerate ’em overnight for tomorrow’s breakfast or cool quickly by popping in the freezer while preparing the other ingredients. (Potatoes are easier to chop when they’ve been chilled.)
  • Once cooled, dice potatoes into even 1/2-inch pieces.
  • In a 12-inch or larger skillet, heat butter and oil over medium-high heat until butter melts and begins to sizzle. Carefully add diced potatoes in a single layer. Sprinkle with seasoning ingredients and mix through. Cook 8–12 minutes, flipping and stirring about every 3 minutes to ensure even browning. Adjust heat as necessary. Avoid excessive stirring to achieve desired crispiness!
  • Once cooked, remove from heat and adjust seasoning to taste. Add fresh herbs if desired and enjoy hot!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Preferably use Yukon Gold or other tender-skinned potatoes. If using potatoes with a thicker skin, peel before using. Cut potatoes into even sizes for uniform cooking.
Note 2: If potatoes are microwaved too long, they’ll become mushy in the skillet. Exercise caution here.
Storage: Cool potatoes to room temperature. Store in the fridge for up to four days or freeze for three months. Reheat in oven or air fryer at 400°F until crispy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 490mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 201IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. Ella says:

    5 stars
    I forgot the freezer step but microwaving the potatoes was the KEY in making these. I fried mine a lot longer just because thatโ€™s how my family likes them but thanks for giving my weekends potatoes life!

    1. Chelsea says:

      I’m so glad these skillet breakfast potatoes were a hit! Thanks for your comment!