A typical tattie scone is made with mashed potato (potato and butter—no milk is used—with salt to taste) and plain flour is added to make it into a dough which is then rolled out and put on a griddle (Scots: girdle) to cook.

"Tattie scones are traditionally made as circles about 6 inches (15 cm) across and then cut into quarters, or farls.

They are traditionally served hot, and cold potato scones are often reheated by toasting or frying.

They are often served as part of the full Scottish breakfast with fried eggs, bacon and Lorne sausage.

Alternatively, they are eaten in a roll, usually accompanied with either Lorne sausage, bacon, or fried egg.