Last Updated on 19th June 2023 by
Hash browns are the perfect addition to your breakfast or make a great meal on their own. I’m going to show you how to cook frozen hash browns at home so you can enjoy these tasty potato patties at any time.
Hash browns are made from potatoes that have been cut and then reformed into patties or cylindrical shapes called tater tots. Hash browns are sometimes sold shredded, like shredded cheese, and they cook up much faster this way.
They can be used as a garnish or as their own dish. They’re already cooked fully; you simply have to warm them up, and you usually want to crisp them for the right texture.
Once you know how to cook frozen hash browns on the stove, you’ll see how easy it is and you will be able to make them in minutes. The shredded hash browns are probably the trickiest to make because they can burn easily. It’s a little tougher to tell when they’re done, but no kind of hash brown is very difficult to make. Beginner cooks should be able to make these up without any issues.
Table of Contents
How to Cook Frozen Shredded Hash Browns
Let’s start with the shredded version of hash browns and show you how you can warm them up in a skillet. Some people prefer to put a little oil into the skillet before cooking hash browns, and this works just fine, but I think the oils are necessary. It adds extra fat and a level of healthiness that you really don’t need.
Simply warm a skillet on medium heat putting nothing inside it. Once the skillet has started to warm, you can spread your hash browns there. Do not layer them too high- a single layer of shredded hash browns would be perfect, but it’s okay if you have some of them resting on top of each other. You just don’t want your stack to go very high.
I would say half an inch to an inch of hash browns is deep enough for a frying pan.
How long to cook shredded hash browns for? You only need to cook them until the ice melts and they become golden brown. You have to flip them partway through so they can brown on the other side. Cook them for about 5 minutes on medium heat.
If your hash browns are not very deep in the pan, you can simply press them down for another couple minutes to finish cooking. If you’re stack has a little height to it, flip the hash browns over to ensure they cook on the other side, which should take an additional 3 minutes or so.
How to cook frozen shredded hash browns in the oven? You don’t have to cook them in the frying pan, and you can cook these in the oven if you like.
Once again, don’t stack your hash browns too high. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the hash browns on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes. They should be crispy and golden brown when they are done.
Now you know a couple ways for how to cook frozen diced hash browns.
Traditional British Hash Browns
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes
- 1 small onion
- 1 egg, beaten
- salt and pepper to taste
- vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and grate them into a large bowl using a coarse grater.
- Finely chop the onion and add it to the grated potatoes.
- Squeeze out as much moisture as you can from the potato and onion mixture. This is important for achieving a crisp texture.
- Stir in the beaten egg, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Take a spoonful of the potato mixture, shape it into a small patty, and add it to the pan. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- Cook the hash browns for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until they're golden brown and crispy.
- Drain the hash browns on a paper towel to remove excess oil, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Ensure to remove as much moisture as you can from the potatoes before frying; this will help achieve a crispier texture.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying the hash browns; this can make them steam rather than fry, resulting in softer hash browns.
- Hash browns are best served hot and crispy. If you need to keep them warm while cooking in batches, place the cooked ones in a warm oven until ready to serve.
- For an added twist, try adding different spices to the mix before frying. Paprika, garlic powder, or even some cheese can add an exciting flavour.
How to Cook Frozen Hash Browns in Oven
Next, let’s cover the method for how to cook the patty type of hash browns as well as tater tots. Once again, you can cook these in the oven or on the stove. You can even cook them in the microwave if you want. How to cook frozen hash browns in the oven?
You can begin by preheating the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, lay the hash brown patties out on a sheet. You can do this same method with hash browns. Make sure there is some space between each of the hash browns, and once the oven has heated up fully, we can cook the hash Browns 10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 10 minutes on the other side.
They may not need to cook for that full 20 minutes in total, and the cooking time will depend on how many of them you have in the oven at once.
How to Cook Frozen Hash Browns on a Griddle
You can use a griddle for cooking your hash browns as well. The method we use for cooking them on a griddle is the same as how to cook frozen hash browns in a waffle maker.
It’s really easy to cook frozen hash browns this way. You simply need to heat up the griddle/waffle maker and then put your hash browns in the griddle and then close it completely. Allow the hash browns cook for five or 10 minutes or until they are as cooked as you want them to be. Then, take them out of the griddle.
How to Cook Frozen Hash Browns in a Skillet
My favourite is in a frying pan on the stove. Like I said, I don’t usually use oil to cook my hash browns this way, so I’ll show you how to cook frozen hash browns without oil on the stove.
Just heat up your empty frying pan on medium heat. Once the frying pan has heated, you can add in your hash browns. Be sure to give them enough room to lay flat on the frying pan. Do not stack any hash browns on top of each other and make sure they don’t overlap on one another.
You want them to cook until they’re done on one side, which will take about 3 to 5 minutes on medium heat. Then, flip them over and allow them to cook on the other side for the same amount of time.
You may need to put them back and forth a few times to ensure they are crispy and golden on both sides. Once they’re done cooking, you can lift them out with the spatula and serve immediately.
I like to serve my hash browns with American cheese slices on top, microwaving them for about 20 seconds so the cheese melts. You can also cover them in ketchup or the condiment of your choice. Of course, they are great to eat just plain as well.
How to Cook Frozen Hash Browns in Microwave
I want to share with you one last way to cook your hash browns, and that’s warming frozen hash browns in the microwave. As I said before, this is my least favourite way to cook them, but it works fine in a pinch. In fact, it is the fastest way to cook frozen hash browns.
How long to cook your hash browns in the microwave? It doesn’t take very long, and I suggest cooking them for about a minute and a half on one side and then flipping them over. Cook on that second side for about a minute and a half again.
You may have to flip the hash browns over a few times to cook them all the way through. Once they feel completely warm, you can serve and eat them. It may take as long as 4-5 minutes for the hash browns to cook completely in the microwave, depending on how frozen they are and how powerful your microwave is, as well as the power setting on your microwave.
FAQs
What are hash browns and how are they traditionally cooked in the UK?
Hash browns are a popular breakfast dish in the UK, often served as part of a full English breakfast. Traditionally, they’re made by grating potato into small shreds, seasoning with salt and pepper, and then frying until golden brown and crispy. They can also be bought ready-made and frozen from most supermarkets, needing only to be reheated in the oven or on the hob.
How should I cook frozen hash browns to achieve the best results?
Cooking frozen hash browns is quite straightforward. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (180 for fan ovens) or Gas Mark 6. Spread the hash browns out on a baking tray in a single layer, ensuring they’re not touching. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, until they’re golden brown and crispy. Turning them halfway through cooking will help them cook evenly.
Can I cook frozen hash browns on the hob instead of the oven?
Absolutely. For hob cooking, preheat a bit of oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Add the hash browns, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until they’re golden and crispy.
What should I serve with hash browns for a traditional British breakfast?
Hash browns are a great addition to a full English breakfast, typically including sausages, bacon, eggs, grilled tomatoes, baked beans, and toast. But they’re also delicious served on their own, perhaps with a bit of ketchup or brown sauce on the side.
How can I add a bit of variety to my frozen hash browns?
There are plenty of ways to add a twist to your hash browns. Try seasoning with different spices before cooking – paprika or garlic powder can add a lovely kick. Or, after cooking, top with a bit of grated cheese and pop under the grill until it’s melty and delicious. For a Spanish twist, try serving with a dollop of aioli.
I'm Pauline, a mother of four grown children, my passion for cooking stemmed from the joy i get cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes, especially when dining out but creating and sharing my own recipes is my favourite thing to do!