Delicious homemade crispy hash browns! Serve these potatoes as a side on their own or as a full breakfast or brunch with smoked salmon, capers, red onion, and a dollop of Greek yogurt. So good!

It seemed like an eternity for my kids to like potatoes. Aren’t loving potatoes just built into our genetic code? Lol. Anyway, mashed potatoes, a baked potato, and these hash browns finally turned them around – must be the crispy outside!

Hash browns (also referred to as hashed browns) have been around since the 1890’s, when they started appearing on New York City breakfast menus. Gotta love New York! They’re super popular now, of course, all over the United States in diners everywhere.

They’re basically just shredded potatoes fried in a pan, but what might sound boring, is anything but. With a crispy outside, tender inside, and seasoned, they are so delicious!

Hash Brown Recipe

You only need potatoes, oil, and salt to make hash browns. For this particular recipe, you’ll also need smoke salmon, red onion, capers, and plain Greek yogurt.

With the toppings, it’s a delicious full breakfast or brunch offering, instead of just a side dish.

How to Make Hash Browns

They’re so incredibly easy to make. At the most basic level, you simply grate potatoes, rinse them, squeeze them dry, and cook in a hot pan with oil, flipping once until they’re crispy on both sides.

All potatoes need and love salt, and hash browns are no exception. You could further bump up the flavor by adding in some garlic powder, fresh herbs, or my everything seasoning blend (<– my favorite way!)

How to Make Crispy Hash Browns

No soggy potatoes for me, thanks! Let’s make sure they’re crispy. Here’s how:

• Rinse and dry those potatoes – rinsing removes some of the starch and drying them removes excess moisture, which creates steam and prevents us from getting that outer crispy shell.
• Cook over medium heat – biggest misconception about achieving a crispy exterior is to have the pan and oil warm up over high heat. You actually want the heat source set to medium. Lower temperature, for a longer period of time.
• Use oil, not butter – while butter does taste amazing, the fast solids tend to burn. Vegetable oil or olive oil is the way to go.
• Press down – once the grated potatoes hit the hot pan, press down so they’re in a flat, even layer.
• Drain on a paper towel – as soon as the potatoes are done cooking, carefully transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate for a minute. This will remove any excess oil and prevent them from being soggy.

Are Hash Browns Healthy?

It depends. Are you getting them from a fast food joint or are you making them at home? Hash browns from diners and drive-throughs are often deep-fried and loaded with trans fats – unhealthy. But you can make these homemade hash browns without any guilt.

Potatoes are definitely not a health food, but they’re not bad for you, either since they’re a whole food and minimally processed.
Are hash browns gluten free? With just potatoes, oil, and salt, yes they are gluten free.
How many carbs in hash browns? This particular recipe has 37 carbs per serving (not including the toppings), and only 1 additional carb with the toppings.

Other Crispy Potato Recipes

• Smashed Potatoes
• Latkes
• Mashed Potato Cakes
• Roasted Potatoes

I hope you love this quick and simple recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!