15 Hour Potato (Family Style)
The family-style 15 hour potato: a crowd-pleasing shortcut
We all know the allure of the iconic 15 Hour Potato. It’s crispy, it’s indulgent and it’s borderline magical. But let’s be honest, the original method is a bit of a commitment and really quite fiddly. Between layering each delicate slice and waiting for the beef dripping to set, it’s a labour of love that not everyone has time for, especially when you’re feeding quite a few people. That’s where this family-style version comes in to save the day and a little bit of time.
This simplified recipe gives you all the crispy, golden goodness you love but with a lot less faff, making it perfect for bigger gatherings. It’s the same absolutely delicious potato dish, reimagined to save you time and effort.
What makes this version easier?
The beauty of this adaptation is in the little tweaks that make a big difference. Instead of painstakingly arranging each potato slice by hand, this method lets you layer the slices in a more relaxed way.
Another key tweak is swapping out the beef dripping for cream. Not only does this make the recipe easier to manage (no solidifying issues), but it also creates a rich texture that coats the potatoes in creamy goodness. The cream also makes this dish vegetarian-friendly, so you can cater to a wider range of guests without compromising on flavour.
Crispy perfection
When you’re cooking for a crowd, obviously the bigger the better. This recipe is designed to fill a larger dish, ensuring there’s plenty to go around. By compressing the potatoes overnight and giving them plenty of time to roast, you’ll achieve those gloriously crunchy edges that make the 15 hour potato so iconic.
Why family style works
There’s something about a family-style dish that just screams comfort and togetherness. Picture this: a huge tray of golden, crispy potatoes being passed around the table, everyone helping themselves to as much as they want. It’s the kind of dish that brings people together and makes any meal feel like a special occasion.
And don’t worry, this version is just as pretty as the original. Those crispy edges and creamy centers are a showstopper whether you’re serving it at a fancy dinner party or a casual Sunday lunch.
Pro tips for success
- Compress overnight: Don’t skip this step! It’s what helps the potatoes hold their shape during baking.
- Season generously: Creamy potatoes can handle a lot of seasoning, so don’t hold back. Salt is essential.
- Use a sturdy dish: A heavy-duty baking tray or dish is ideal to withstand the pressing and baking process without warping.
This family-style 15 Hour Potato is proof that sometimes, you can have it all. Flavour, ease, and enough spuds to keep everyone happy. Basically, you need this recipe in your life.
15 Hour Potato (Family Style)
By Poppy Cooks
https://www.poppycooks.com/recipes/15-hour-potato-family-style/
Ingredients
- 2.5kg maris piper potatoes
- 600ml double cream
- 4 crushed cloves of garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Vegetable oil to deep fry in
Metric
Imperial
Instructions
- Peel and slice the potatoes nice and thin. I use a mandolin for speed and consistency.
- Simmer the cream with the garlic for 5-10 mins until thick and season well.
- Add the slices of potato into the cream.
- In a lined tin pour the creamy potatoes roughly. They don’t have to be exact just flat.
- Pre heat the oven to 130°C Fan/300°F/Gas Mark 2.
- Add parchment to the top of the pavé and add a layer of baking beans to help cement the spuds then place in the oven for 2-3 hours.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven and flatten with something - could be cans or cooking beans. Then place in the fridge for 12 hours (or over night).
- Once set, cut your slab of spuds into you desired shape.
- Get a deep pan ready for deep frying. Or a deep fat fryer and get it to 180°C and deep fry until golden and crispy. Season with salt and enjoy!!!