Craving a satisfying breakfast but short on time? Look no further than crispy frozen hash brown patties! These golden-brown delights offer a quick and convenient way to enjoy the deliciousness of hash browns without the hassle of peeling and grating potatoes.
And with many different ways to cook these frozen potatoes, they’re one of the best and easiest additions to any meal. They are delicious served up alongside bacon & eggs, pancakes, avocado toast, or any of your favorite breakfast foods. Perfect for busy mornings. Yet, they work as a delicious potato side dish for any meal.
In this guide, we’ll explore the secrets to achieving perfectly crispy hash brown patties straight from the freezer to your plate.
Mastering the art of cooking frozen hash brown patties to crispy perfection is a great way to elevate your homecooked meals.
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How to Cook Crispy Frozen Hash Browns Patties; 3 Ways
Cooking crispy frozen hash brown patties is a breeze! Whether you’re using an air fryer, skillet, or oven, they all work.
1. Crispy Air Fryer Hash Brown Patty
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
No need to thaw, you can cook these from frozen.
Place the hash brown patties in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. No need for oil spray.
Cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
For extra crispy continue to air fry for an additional 2-5 minutes or until crisped to your liking. Season with salt & pepper, if desired
2. Skillet (Frying Pan) Method
How do you cook frozen hash brown patties on the stove?
Heat a large skillet (around 12 inches) over medium heat to medium-high heat.
Add a few tablespoons of oil (such as vegetable oil or olive oil), to the hot skillet. Heat for a minute until you have hot oil.
Place the hash brown patties or shredded hash browns (frozen or thawed) in a thin, even layer (about ½-inch thick).
Cover the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until the bottom is golden brown.
Flip the hash browns and continue cooking the other side for another 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Wholesome Farmhouse Recipes recommends adding a few tablespoons of butter at this point for extra flavoring.
Season with salt, pepper, or your favorite seasonings.
3. How to Cook Frozen Hash Brown Patties in the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Arrange the hash brown patties (or shredded hash browns) on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Keep an eye on them to achieve your desired crispiness. Sheet pan hash browns are a perfect way to feed a crowd.
Hash browns are versatile and can be enjoyed as a delicious breakfast side or a satisfying weeknight treat. Whether you’re pairing them with steak, eggs, or just ketchup, crispy hash browns are always a winner.
Top 6 Tips for Cooking the Crispiest Hash Browns
For perfectly crispy hash browns, follow these six essential tips. Begin by squeezing out excess moisture from the grated potatoes, then opt for high-starch varieties like Russets or Yukon Golds for the best results.
1. Squeeze Out Excess Moisture.
2. Use High Starch Potatoes. Opt for high-starch potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds. These varieties have a lower moisture content and higher starch content, which helps in achieving crispiness.
3. Preheat the Pan. Ensure that your skillet or frying pan is well preheated before adding the hash browns. A hot pan helps to quickly crisp up the potatoes and prevents them from becoming soggy.
4. Don’t Crowd the Pan. Crowding the pan can cause the potatoes to steam rather than crisp up.
5. Use Enough Oil. Add enough oil to the skillet to generously coat the bottom. This helps in frying the potatoes evenly and achieving a crispy exterior. You can also use a combination of oil and butter for added flavor.
You can cook hash brown patties right from frozen in the air fryer. However, Air Fryer World recommends that when cooking shredded style hash browns, thaw first. The pre-cooked hash brown patties work great and quick because they’ve been previously cooked.
Can you cook frozen hash brown patties in the microwave?
Cooking hash brown patties in the microwave is a quick and convenient option. Simply place the frozen patties on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high power for 1-2 minutes per side. It’s a hassle-free way to enjoy hash browns when you’re short on time.
While you can cook frozen hash brown patties in the microwave, they will not have the same level of crispiness that other cooking methods provide.
Pro Tip. You can still achieve a decent level of crispiness by microwaving them for a longer duration or by finishing them off in a toaster oven or regular oven for a few minutes after microwaving. If you prefer very crispy hash browns, baking or air frying or pan frying will be better.
What are some seasoning ideas for hash browns?
Here are some delicious seasoning ideas to elevate your hash browns:
Classic Salt and Pepper. Sometimes, simplicity is key. A generous sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper can enhance the natural flavors of hash browns.
Garlic Powder. Add a touch of garlic powder for a mild, savory flavor. It pairs wonderfully with crispy hash browns.
Onion Powder. Onion powder provides a subtle onion flavor without the texture of actual onions. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy a hint of onion taste.
Paprika. Smoked paprika or sweet paprika adds a warm, slightly smoky flavor to hash browns. It also gives them a beautiful reddish hue.
Cayenne Pepper. For a kick of heat, sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper. Adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.
Herbs. Fresh or dried herbs like chives, parsley, or thyme can brighten up hash browns. Chop fresh herbs finely and mix them in after cooking.
Parmesan Cheese. Grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor. Sprinkle it over hot hash browns for extra richness.
Everything Bagel Seasoning. If you love the flavors of an everything bagel, try this seasoning blend. It typically includes sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt.
Sriracha or Hot Sauce. Drizzle a bit of Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce for a spicy twist. Be cautious—it can get fiery!
Lemon Zest. For a refreshing touch, grate some lemon zest over your hash browns. It adds brightness and complements the crispy texture.
Adjust the seasonings to your taste preferences. Whether you’re a fan of bold flavors or prefer a milder profile, these ideas will make your hash browns even more delightful.
Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for hash browns?
Sweet potatoes are a fantastic alternative to regular potatoes for making hash browns. Here’s why they’re a great choice:
Texture and Crispiness
When shredded and cooked, sweet potatoes yield hash browns that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Southern Living recommends sweet potatoes because of the low-moisture content. It helps crisp up the potatoes when cooking.
How to Make Crispy Sweet Potatoes
To make crispy sweet potatoes, start by washing, peeling, and cutting them into uniform slices or cubes. Soak in cold water for 30 minutes helps remove excess starch for crispier results.
After draining and patting them dry with paper towel, toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil or melted butter, salt, pepper, and desired herbs or spices.
Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet or place them in a skillet or air fryer basket, ensuring they’re not overcrowded. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp, or pan-fry over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes per side, or air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Enjoy the crispy sweet potatoes as a delightful side dish or snack. Pro Tip. Cooking time can vary with air fryer models. Check a few minutes before cooking time is up.
How to Cook Crispy Frozen Hash Browns Patties
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 2 Teaspoons Oil
- 4 Frozen Hash Brown Patties
Instructions
Crispy Air Fryer Hash Brown Patty
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- No need to thaw, you can cook these from frozen.
- Place the hash brown patties in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. No need for oil spray.4 Frozen Hash Brown Patties, 2 Teaspoons Oil
- Cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- For extra crispy continue to air fry for an additional 2-5 minutes or until crisped to your liking. Season with salt & pepper, if desired
Skillet (Frying Pan) Method
- How do you cook frozen hash brown patties on the stove?4 Frozen Hash Brown Patties, 2 Teaspoons Oil
- Heat a large skillet (around 12 inches) over medium heat to medium-high heat.
- Add a few tablespoons of oil (such as vegetable oil or olive oil), to the hot skillet. Heat for a minute until you have hot oil.
- Place the hash brown patties or shredded hash browns (frozen or thawed) in a thin, even layer (about ½-inch thick).
- Cover the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until the bottom is golden brown.
- Flip the hash browns and continue cooking the other side for another 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
How to Cook Frozen Hash Brown Patties in the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Arrange the hash brown patties (or shredded hash browns) on a baking sheet in a single layer.4 Frozen Hash Brown Patties, 2 Teaspoons Oil
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Keep an eye on them to achieve your desired crispiness. Sheet pan hash browns are a perfect way to feed a crowd.
- Season with salt, pepper, or your favorite seasonings.
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Make sweet potato hash brown patties.
Serve them hot as a delicious and crispy side dish or snack. Chef Lola’s Kitchen makes these patties. It’s one of my favorite ways of making sweet potatoes.
Peel and shred one sweet potato.
Rinse and squeeze to remove any excess water.
Season the shredded sweet potatoes. Mix ½ teaspoon of each onion powder, garlic powder, paprika. Salt and pepper to taste.
Bind them together with t tablespoons of flour and one egg.
Fry them in vegetable oil until golden and crispy, for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
Why won’t my hash browns get crispy?
Achieving crispy hash browns can be a delightful challenge. Tweaking the few simple steps can make big changes. Let’s troubleshoot why yours might not be as crispy as desired:
Excess moisture. After shredding, squeeze out any liquid using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. If using frozen hash browns, thaw them and pat them dry before cooking.
Make sure your oil is hot enough. It should be around 350°F to 375°F for frying before adding the hash browns. Use a thermometer or test by dropping a small piece of potato. If it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready.
Have enough oil. Too little oil can prevent proper crisping. Make sure there’s enough oil to coat the hash browns evenly. For skillet frying, add a generous amount of oil to cover the bottom of the pan.
Over Crowding the Pan prevents air circulation and even cooking. Cook hash browns in batches if needed. Leave enough space between each patty or shred.
Avoid flipping too soon. Let the hash browns cook undisturbed until the bottom side is golden brown.
Add the Seasoning and Starch after cooking. Salt the hash browns after cooking, not before. Salt draws out moisture, which can hinder crispiness during cooking.
Add a bit of cornstarch to the shredded potatoes. It can help create a crispy exterior.
Finishing Touches. Once cooked, place the hash browns on a wire rack to allow any excess oil to drain and maintain crispiness. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Achieving crispy hash browns is a delightful balance of technique and patience. Tweak these factors, and next time you’ll have golden, crunchy hash browns that’ll make your taste buds sing.
Best Way to Store Leftover Hash Browns
The best way to store leftover hash browns is to store in the refrigerator. Allow them to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm them in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of oil until heated through and crispy again.
Shredded hash browns can be frozen after cooking, but the texture may change slightly after freezing and reheating. Place in freezer bags or other airtight containers and freeze them for up to 2-3 months.
Homemade hash browns that are crispy golden brown
You can make these for a quick breakfast, but we love serving them along side our steaks just like our favorite restaurant does.
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Grate the peeled potatoes using a box grater or food processor. Rinse the grated potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch, then squeeze them in a clean kitchen towel to remove as much moisture as possible.
Transfer the grated potatoes to a mixing bowl and season with salt and pepper. If using any additional ingredients like chopped onions, bell peppers, or herbs, add them to the bowl as well.
Heat the melted butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the seasoned grated potatoes to the skillet, spreading them out evenly to form a single layer.
Cook the hash browns undisturbed for about 5-7 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown and crispy. Use a spatula to flip the hash browns over in sections, then press them down gently with the spatula to help them cook evenly.
Continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes, or until the other side is golden brown and crispy. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.
Once the hash browns are cooked to your desired level of crispiness, transfer them to a serving plate and serve hot. I like to top mine with a few pats of butter and a bit extra salt and pepper.
Make Sweet Potato Hash Brown Patties
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.