Fried Potatoes and Onions

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Fried Potatoes and Onions are a staple in my kitchen because they are cheap, easy, and incredibly delicious! This simple recipe combines crispy pan-fried potatoes with caramelized onions, creating a side dish that’s perfect for any meal! Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, these fried potatoes and onions will be a hit. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, this dish is a go-to favorite that’s always satisfying and full of flavor.        

Are you looking for more easy side dish recipes? Check out our dutch oven potatoes, garlic parmesan green beans, and cheesy noodles.

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I absolutely love potatoes in any form – it’s my motto: no potato left behind! These Fried Potatoes are one of my favorite ways to enjoy the humble spud! Not only are they cheap and easy to make, but they’re also incredibly yummy! Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, this classic Southern recipe is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Crispy pan-fried potatoes paired with caramelized onions create an irresistible side dish that pairs perfectly with just about anything. It’s the perfect side dish for so many recipes! If you want another great potato recipe, check out this Crispy Grilled Potatoes Recipe.

Growing up my Mom fixed the best fried potatoes! It was a family favorite and we had them with basically every single meal. In a large frying pan she would do southern fried potatoes for supper and they made great breakfast potatoes too! I love to use a nonstick skillet because the potatoes don’t stick! Sometimes I will cook them in my cast iron skillet to get them extra crispy! I tend to over crowd my potatoes because I have a lot of mouths to feed, so they’re not all super brown, but that’s okay, they still taste amazing!  For a healthier twist, try using an air fryer with just a bit of oil for fried potatoes in air fryer.

What you’ll love about this Fried Potatoes and Onions:  


  • CLASSIC COMFORT FOOD – This dish brings the nostalgic flavors of home-cooked meals to your table.
  • SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – Made with pantry staples, this recipe is both easy and budget-friendly!
  • VERSATILE SIDE DISH – Pairs perfectly with a wide variety of main dishes and is great for any time of day! We love it for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this amazing Fried Potatoes and Onions Recipe: 

  • Russet potatoes
  • Onion
  • Vegetable oil
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder

INGREDIENT NOTES:

  • Russet Potatoes: These have a high starch content, making them perfect for frying and achieving a crispy texture.
  • Onion: I use yellow onions
  • Garlic: You can use fresh garlic instead.

HOW TO MAKE FRIED POTATOES AND ONIONS STEP-BY-STEP:

Check out the quick visual guides below. For full instructions and ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the end.

STEP 1: Place the sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel, or paper towels.

STEP 2: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet, over medium-high heat.Add the potato slices to the hot oil, preferably in a single layer. You may need to cook in batches.

STEP 3: Cook the potatoes for 5-7 minutes until the bottom side is golden brown. Flip the potatoes and add the sliced onions to the skillet. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder over the potatoes and onions.

STEP 4: Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for another 10-12 minutes until the potatoes are crispy and the onions are caramelized.

STEP 5: Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired. 

Serve these crispy potatoes with sour cream, and fresh herbs.

PRO TIP:

  1. If cooking in batches, remove the cooked potatoes and onions to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat the process with remaining potatoes and onions.
  2. Once all potatoes and onions are cooked, return everything to the skillet for a final 2-3 minutes to reheat and crisp up.

For the best results, ensure the potatoes are thoroughly dried before frying to achieve maximum crispiness.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It can be kept for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or microwave on high for 1-2 minutes.
Freezing: Not recommended as the texture of the potatoes may change.

Additions & Substitutions

ADDITIONS:

  • Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese over the potatoes just before serving.
  • Spices: Add a pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper for extra flavor.
  • Herbs: Fresh thyme or rosemary can be added for an aromatic touch.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

  • Potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes can be used if russet potatoes are not available.
  • Oil: Canola oil or avocado oil can be substituted for vegetable oil.

FAQs about these Home Fried Potatoes:

Yes, Yukon Gold or red potatoes work well in this recipe.

Ensure the oil is hot enough before adding the potatoes and avoid overcrowding the pan.

Make sure the potatoes are thoroughly dried before frying and avoid turning them too often during cooking.

What Can I Serve with this with this Fried Potatoes Onions?

Serve these simple fried potatoes with with breakfast favorites like eggs and bacon, or pair it with meats like chicken, beef, and pork chops, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Five golden stars image.

I’m excited for you to try this Fried Potatoes and Onions! After you make it, please leave a rating to let me know your thoughts on it – I’m eager to hear if you loved it as much as we do!

Fried Potatoes and Onions up close.

Fried Potatoes and Onions

Vicky Hadley~Little Chef Within
Fried Potatoes and Onions are a staple in my kitchen because they are cheap, easy, and incredibly delicious!
5 from 11 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 122 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 3 large russet potatoes peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Instructions
 

  • Place the sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the potato slices to the hot oil in a single layer. You may need to cook in batches.
  • Cook the potatoes for 5-7 minutes until the bottom side is golden brown.
  • Flip the potatoes and add the sliced onions to the skillet.
  • Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder over the potatoes and onions.
  • Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for another 10-12 minutes until the potatoes are crispy and the onions are caramelized.
  • Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  1. If cooking in batches, remove the cooked potatoes and onions to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat the process with remaining potatoes and onions.
  2. Once all potatoes and onions are cooked, return everything to the skillet for a final 2-3 minutes to reheat and crisp up.

Pro Tip:

For the best results, ensure the potatoes are thoroughly dried before frying to achieve maximum crispiness.

Nutrition

Calories: 122kcalCarbohydrates: 0.3gProtein: 0.1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 582mgPotassium: 6mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.01gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.003mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.04mg
Keyword easy side dish, potatoes, sides
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12 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Potatoes and onions are also staples in my kitchen too! I love them for their simplicity and big flavors. Thanks for this great recipe.

  2. 5 stars
    Potatoes are definitely are all time favorite in any form. Would definitely try the fried anion combination. Simple and yet so yum. My Dinner is sorted.

  3. 5 stars
    My toddler now requests this all the time, so thank you so much for sharing! It is definitely a new favorite around here 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    Such a delicious and budget-friendly side! I love potatoes in any form. We really enjoyed these with roasted chicken.

  5. 5 stars
    This is so good! I love the crispy potatoes…perfect side! Very easy and delicious too!

  6. 5 stars
    These potatoes are delicious! And the best part is that they are great served with breakfast or a side dish for dinner~!

  7. 5 stars
    These fried potatoes were easy to make and had great flavor. They go so well with so many other foods that I’ll be making these pretty regularly!

  8. 5 stars
    Combining fried potatoes with onions seems such a simple thing and yet together they really taste so much better than apart!

  9. 5 stars
    WoW, this looks so yumm and this would be such a hit at home dinners as we love the combination of potatoes with onions. The addition of garlic just sounds fab, saving the recipe to try soon.

  10. 5 stars
    This recipe is great just the way it is or with scrambled eggs and bacon. This is a recipe that can be used in a lot of dishes. I like to turn it into country fried hashbrowns. Just add bell peppers, green, red and yellow. To add color and a different flavor. This recipe is my go to recipe if I need to make something fast or a side dish.
    I rate this recipe a 5 star.

5 from 11 votes

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