Simple Hash Browns

When you need to add a little extra body to your breakfasts, then Hash Browns are the trick. They only need a few ingredients with potato and onion and a single egg combine to make a tasty vegetarian side dish. Serve as part of a breakfast or as a snack with scrambled eggs.

Simple hash browns are one of my favourite breakfast comforts. They are crisp, golden, and deeply satisfying. I have cooked them many times over the years for family breakfasts and lazy weekend brunches.

I always start with good floury potatoes. Maris Piper or King Edwards work best. I peel them first. Then I grate them straight onto a clean tea towel. I use a coarse grater because it gives better texture.

Next, I remove the excess moisture. I gather the tea towel and squeeze hard. This step makes a big difference. Wet potatoes never crisp well, so I take my time here. When the potatoes feel drier, I tip them into a large mixing bowl.

I prepare the onion next. I peel and finely grate or chop it. The onion adds sweetness and depth once cooked. I add it straight into the bowl with the potatoes.

Then I crack in a free-range egg. I beat it lightly before mixing it through. The egg helps bind everything together. I also add a generous pinch of salt and some black pepper. I always season well because potatoes need it.

Now I mix everything with my hands. This helps combine the ingredients evenly. The mixture should feel slightly sticky but still loose enough to shape.

I heat a frying pan over a high heat. I add a good amount of vegetable oil. The oil needs to be hot before I add anything. This helps the hash browns crisp quickly instead of soaking up oil.

I shape small patties with my hands. I press them together firmly. Then I carefully lower them into the pan. I use a spatula to keep their shape if needed.

I fry them for around three minutes on each side watching for a deep golden colour. When they look crisp, I flip them carefully. I avoid moving them too early because they can break apart.

As I finish each batch, I place them in a warm oven. This keeps them hot and crisp while I cook the rest. I never overcrowd the pan because it lowers the heat.

I serve them hot straight from the kitchen. They go perfectly with a full cooked breakfast. I also enjoy them as a simple snack with a little ketchup. Sometimes I even serve them alongside eggs for a quick lunch.

Simple hash browns are humble, but they always deliver comfort and flavour.

Simple Hash Browns

Simple hash browns are a classic breakfast favourite made from grated potatoes, onion, egg, and seasoning, pan-fried until crisp and golden. The key to their texture is removing excess moisture from the potatoes and cooking them in hot oil so they become beautifully crunchy on the outside while staying soft inside. They work perfectly as part of a full cooked breakfast or as a quick, satisfying snack on their own.

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Course: Breakfast, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Fry, Potato, Simple Hash Browns, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 Portions

Calories: 159kcal

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Ingredients

 

• ▢ 4 large potatoes Maris Piper/King Edwards
• ▢ 1 large onion peel
• ▢ 1 large eggs free range, beaten
• ▢ salt to taste
• ▢ vegetable oil to fry

Instructions

• Peel the potatoes and grate onto a clean tea towel. Use a coarse grater if possible.
• Once grated, twist the corners of the tea towel together and ring out the excess water.
• When drier, transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Beat the egg and add to the potato mixture with a good pinch of salt and pepper. A good quantity of salt is needed for tasty hash browns.
• Mix all of the ingredients thoroughly.
• Place a frying pan over a high heat and add a good pour of oil. Enough to make sure that the hash browns do not stick.
• Using your hands, creates patties about 1/2 inch from the mixture and carefully place into the frying pan. I use a spatula to keep them together.
• When they have browned on one side, flip over and fry the other side. It should be about 3 minutes each side.
• Keep the ones you have cooked warm in the oven until they are all done.
• Serve hot as a side to a fry up breakfast or snack.

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 813mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg