How to Make Crispy Hash Browns: A Simple Guide
Who doesn’t love crispy hash browns? Whether they’re part of breakfast at home or a side dish at your favorite diner, hash browns are one of the best ways to enjoy potatoes! The key to great hash browns is making them crispy on the outside, while keeping them soft and fluffy on the inside. If you’ve ever tried making hash browns and ended up with something soggy or burnt, don’t worry! This guide will show you how to make perfectly crispy hash browns at home. It’s easier than you think, and you only need a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Potatoes (about 2 large ones or 3 medium-sized potatoes)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (optional, to taste)
- Oil (vegetable oil, canola oil, or any cooking oil you prefer)
- Butter (a small amount, optional for extra flavor)
Step 1: Choose the Right Potatoes
The kind of potatoes you use matters! Russet potatoes are perfect for hash browns because they have a good amount of starch. Starch helps create that crispy texture we all love. Other potatoes, like Yukon Gold, can work too, but they might be softer and less crispy.
Step 2: Prep Your Potatoes
Start by peeling the potatoes. If you like the skin, you can leave it on, but peeling helps your hash browns cook more evenly. After peeling, wash the potatoes to remove any dirt.
Next, shred the potatoes using a grater. The large holes on a box grater work well. Shredding the potatoes gives your hash browns that classic look and helps them cook quickly. If you don’t have a grater, you can finely chop the potatoes, but they’ll take longer to cook.
Step 3: Remove Excess Moisture
Soggy potatoes make soggy hash browns, so this step is very important! After shredding the potatoes, place them in a clean kitchen towel (or paper towels) and squeeze out the water. You’ll be surprised at how much liquid comes out—potatoes hold a lot of moisture. Removing this water is what helps your hash browns get crispy.
If you want, you can also soak the shredded potatoes in cold water for a few minutes before squeezing. This removes extra starch, which can help make them crispier. Just make sure to squeeze out ALL the water afterward!
Step 4: Season Your Potatoes
Once your potatoes are dry, season them with salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. You can add other seasonings, like garlic powder or paprika, if you want to get creative. Mix everything together so the seasoning is evenly spread.
Step 5: Heat Your Pan
To get crispy hash browns, you need a hot pan! Use a non-stick skillet or a cast-iron pan for the best results. Turn the heat to medium-high and add a good splash of oil. You want enough oil to coat the pan, but not so much that your hash browns are swimming in it. For extra flavor, you can add a small piece of butter to the oil.
Let the pan and oil heat up for a minute or two. A hot pan will help your hash browns crisp up right away, so don’t skip this step!
Step 6: Cook Your Hash Browns
Add your shredded potatoes to the pan in an even layer. You can cook them all at once or divide them into smaller batches, depending on the size of your pan. Use a spatula to press the potatoes down so they form a flat layer. This helps them cook evenly and get crispy.
Leave the hash browns alone for about 3-5 minutes. Resist the urge to flip them too soon! They need time to develop that golden-brown crust. You can check the bottom occasionally by lifting a corner with your spatula.
Once the bottom is golden and crispy, flip the hash browns. Cook the other side for another 3-5 minutes until it’s equally crispy. If you’re cooking in batches, you might need to add a little more oil between rounds.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
When both sides are crispy and golden brown, take the hash browns out of the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels. The towels soak up any extra oil, making your hash browns even better.
Serve your hash browns while they’re hot! They go great with eggs, bacon, or just by themselves. You can even add toppings like cheese or sour cream to make them extra special.
Bonus Tips for Perfect Hash Browns
- Don’t overload the pan. If you add too many potatoes, they won’t cook evenly. Work in batches if you need to.
- Adjust the heat. If your hash browns are browning too quickly, turn the heat down to medium. If they’re not crispy enough, turn it up slightly.
- Experiment! Try adding onions, herbs, or shredded cheese to your hash browns for new flavors.
Making crispy hash browns at home doesn’t have to be hard. With the right potatoes, a hot pan, and a little patience, you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality hash browns in no time. Give it a try—you might never go back to store-bought hash browns again! Happy cooking!
