Learn How to Make Crispy Hash Browns at home. They always turn out golden brown like the diner, are easy to prepare, freezer-friendly, and the perfect addition to breakfast.
Homemade crispy hash browns
Have you ever wondered how diners and breakfast restaurants get their shredded hash browns to turn out so crispy and delicious? Now you can make restaurant-worthy crispy hash browns at home! Using a few simple tips and secrets, you’ll never have to suffer through soggy hash browns or boring frozen potatoes again.
Learning How to Make Crispy Hash Browns is easy. Using the right kind of potatoes and a few preparation secrets, you’ll be pan-frying your shredded potatoes to golden brown perfection in no time. They’ll quickly become a staple at your weekend breakfast or brunch to pair with your bacon, scrambled eggs, cheesy omelette, pancakes, blueberry pancakes and sugar donuts! You can even use them in my Amish Breakfast Casserole!
What kind of potatoes are best for hash browns?
You’ll need a hearty, starchy potato before making homemade hash browns. Russet potatoes are the best choice because they’re full of starch and are great at crisping. Waxy potatoes, like red potatoes, won’t work because they contain too much moisture and won’t crisp as well.
How to make crispy hash browns in a frying pan
Peel the potatoes and grate them using a box grater or the grater tool on a food processor.
Lay the shredded potatoes on a clean kitchen cloth. Wrap the cloth around the potatoes and use your hands to squeeze all of the excess moisture out over the sink.
Now that your potatoes are ready for frying, heat some oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat.
Lay the drained potatoes in an even layer in the pan. Add salt and pepper on top and let them cook undisturbed.
Once the bottom is golden brown, flip the hash browns over to cook on the other side.
Serve the golden brown crispy hash browns with breakfast and enjoy!
How to make Potatoes O’Brien
Take your hash browns up a notch by making Potatoes O’Brien. This classic side dish is made with fried potatoes, onions, and bell peppers. There aren’t any fancy steps here – just make the hash browns as-is, then throw in some peppers!
- Prepare the hash browns as is.
- Lay the potatoes in the pan with diced onion and green bell peppers.
- When the vegetables are tender and the potatoes are golden brown, flip, and cook until the other side is golden brown and crisp.
- Serve and enjoy!
The secrets behind the crispiest pan-fried hash browns
- Remove as much water as possible – The less water that’s in your potatoes, the higher the chance they’ll have of becoming crispy. You can drain the shredded hash browns by pressing them in a strainer, wringing out the liquid with a tea towel, or placing the potatoes in a salad spinner.
- Skip the soak or rinse – Some recipes will tell you to rinse the potatoes under water or to soak them in cold water after shredding. This isn’t necessary! Simply shredding the potatoes, draining the water, and then cooking retains the starch that helps the potatoes stick together in the pan.
- Cook the potatoes in a thin layer – The thin layer of potatoes in the pan will cook faster and become even crispier than if you were to pile them on top of each other.
- Leave them alone – Give the hash browns time to turn golden brown on the bottom before flipping. Leaving them untouched is the best way to achieve a consistent golden brown crust.
- Add flavor – Season the potatoes with just salt and pepper or take it up a notch with onions and peppers, garlic powder, dried herbs, or paprika.
Can you freeze hash browns?
Yes! To freeze the uncooked hash browns, spread the shredded potatoes on a lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer. Once they’re solid, transfer the potatoes to an airtight container or sealed bag and freeze for 3 to 6 months. They can be cooked right from frozen or thawed.
More breakfast potatoes to try
Pin for later:
Perfectly Golden Crispy Hash Browns
PrintIngredients
- 1.5 pounds potatoes peeled and grated
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel and grate the potatoes. I use my grater tool on my food processor to make it quick and easy, but you can also use a cheese grater.
- Squeeze out all the excess water you can from the potatoes by using your hands to squeeze. I like to put the potatoes in a strainer and press down gently to remove excessive water. It's important to remove as much water as you can as this will result in crispy hash browns!
- Heat olive oil up in large frying pan on medium high heat.
- When oil is heated, add the grated potatoes, spreading them out along the bottom of the pan, but not more than 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
- Let sit for a few minutes, and then lift up to see if it’s browned. Once browned, flip over to the other side. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the new side now.
- Fry to a golden brown on both sides. Enjoy!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
Crispy hash browns is a must for me when I have my eggs in the morning. These look perfectly browned for me, yum! Have a great week Pamela. 🙂
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker says
I am super obsessed with hash browns as well and this recipe looks nice and crispy! XOxo Love your cat!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Big big fan of crispy hashbrowns, I don’t blame you for loving it. Looks so good. I am craving it now.
Kelly says
Crispy hash browns are awesome! Great tip for squeezing out the water and can’t wait to make these for hubby who is obsessed with crispy hash browns:) Thanks for sharing girl and hope you stay warm and bundled up.
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
I love crispy hashbrowns! And I so need to get a larger food processor that has a grating attachment! I grate by hand and it’s a huge pain in the butt! Pinning this recipe. Have a great evening, Pamela. And stay warm!
Mary Frances says
We JUST had hash browns for dinner – but they weren’t homemade and yours look so so good! I did not know my food processor was this talented. Cannot wait to use this trick next time! Crispy is the only way to go (wet=bad.) Yum!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
For a good year or so, I consistently ate two eggs scrambled with hashbrowns and strawberries once a week for dinner. It’s been a while since I’ve had any but I was just craving some the other day. Thanks for sharing!
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal says
Oh yeah, there’s nothing like some good crispy hashbrowns… <3 with drippy eggs.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
dear hash browns,
you are delicious.
love,
me
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
These are a must make! I can’t stand mushy has browns at all. I think I know what I’m using my food processor for next…!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
I have banned restaurants for non crispy hash browns. So I completely understand the need for them : )
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
Of course kitty cats know when something is that good!
Suzanne says
Love hash browns, funny I always had a problem with soggy, never thought to squeeze out the liquid. A revelation!
Debra says
My Hubs and you would get along great. He always orders his “extra crispy”!
The Sketched Chef says
Looks like a perfect side-dish !
I love the fact that there are only three ingredients, it keeps te flavour of the potatoes pure.
Nora says
I am definitely keeping this recipe on hand for the next time a good breakfast (or dinner) side is in order. I could never figure out how to do it as well as the diner down the street, but I think you’ve cracked the code!
Hani/Haniela's says
I could eat a full bowl of them! Yummy.
Beth @ bethcakes says
I absolutely love hashbrowns! I never make them homemade either. I’ll have to try these for sure! Plus I just got a food processor for Christmas and haven’t used the grating attachment yet. Love that photo with your cat. 🙂
Cecile @ My Yellow Farmhouse says
I think everyone loves hash browns – and how great to be able to make our own – no additives!!
yummychunklet says
No wonder. These crispy hash browns look delicious.
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite books says
I love hashbrowns! =)
Stay warm!
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
Who doesnt love hashbrowns, yum! If you have a tofu press, I recently found out you can use those to press the water out of veggies. Wonder if they’d work on potatoes?
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
It’s so funny, I was just talking to someone over the weekend about making hash browns and they said the same thing about you totally need to squeeze out as much water as possible from the potato. There’s nothing worse than soggy hash browns. It’s criminal, really.
And using the grater attachment on the food processor is key!
Pam says
I love crispy hash browns too! What a cute photo of Fifi Bofinkles!
Hallie @ The Wordy Baker says
Crispy hash browns are the best! Definitely pinning this for later 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Hash browns are so good! Wish I had a plate of this right now. I make mine similarly, but usually add a little butter to the oil. But since you’re not eating dairy that wouldn’t work for you!
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
Crispy hash browns are king! I always request them extra crispy at my favorite diner. My mom always cooked her hash browns up in a little bacon grease –oh. so. good.
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
Crispy hash browns are where it’s at! Stay warm!
Monica says
It is freeeezing, Pamela! A big plate of hash browns and some hot coffee sounds perfect right now! A potato is a beautiful and delicious thing – I need to make hash browns soon and I will squeeze that water out! : ) Thanks! Keep warm.
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
Thanks for the tip Pamela! Wet hash browns are terrible :–( But these look super amazing! I can see myself eating these everyday indeed!
Stay warm! xxx