Copycat Waffle House Hash Browns Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

  • add review
  • #64858

Want perfect hash browns every time? This recipe teaches you the tricks that restaurants and diners use.

Copycat Waffle House Hash Browns Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

2-5 hrs

4 reviews


ingredients

4 cups peeled and shredded potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup ice
water
vegetable oil, for frying

directions

Place the shredded potatoes in a 2 quart bowl. Add the salt and ice and enough water to cover the potatoes. Stir to mix in the salt.

Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Place the soaked potatoes in a colander. Rinse with cold water then drain completely.

Heat a large, cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add enough vegetable oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan.

When the skillet is hot, add the drained potatoes to the skillet and evenly spread them around (do not press them down or they will get mushy).

Fry, without stirring, until crisp on the bottom, about 12-15 minutes. When browned, carefully flip them over and cook for 3-5 more minutes. Do not cover the hash browns while cooking.

recipe tips


Rinse the potatoes thoroughly after soaking to remove all the salt.

Make sure the potatoes are well-drained and well-dried before frying to avoid oil splatter.

Do not overcrowd the skillet; cook in batches if necessary.

Avoid flipping the hash browns too early; wait until a crust forms.

For extra flavor, season with garlic powder, paprika, or your favorite herbs.

Keep the heat at medium to medium-high to ensure even cooking without burning.

For a healthier version, use a minimal amount of oil or a cooking spray.

Try different toppings like cheese, bacon bits, or chives after cooking.

Serve immediately after cooking.

Always be cautious when working with hot oil to avoid burns.

common recipe questions


Why do I need to soak the potatoes in salt and ice water?

Soaking in salt and ice water helps remove excess starch, making the hash browns crispier.

Can I use any type of potato for this recipe?

Russet potatoes are best for their starch content and texture, but you can use other starchy types as well such as Idaho and Yukon Gold.

How thin should I shred the potatoes?

Shred them to a medium thickness, not too thin or thick, for the best texture.

Is it necessary to refrigerate the potatoes for 2 hours?

Refrigerating helps the potatoes firm up and release more starch, but if short on time, even 30 minutes can be beneficial.

How do I know when the oil is hot enough for frying?

The oil should sizzle when you add a small piece of potato, or you can use a thermometer to reach 350 degrees F.

Can I use a non-stick pan instead of a cast iron skillet?

Yes, but a cast iron skillet provides more even heat distribution and better crisping.

How do I flip the hash browns without breaking them?

Use a wide spatula and flip them carefully in sections as needed.

Can I add onions or other ingredients to the hash browns?

Yes, you can add finely chopped onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, or other ingredients.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat in a skillet or oven until crispy.

Can these hash browns be frozen?

Yes, freeze them after the initial frying and reheat in a skillet or oven.


nutrition data for waffle house hash browns

340 calories, 18 grams fat, 44 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams protein per serving.



more recipes like waffle house hash browns

BREAKFAST HASH

FREEZE-AHEAD BREAKFAST HASH BROWNS

HONEYMOONER'S CASSEROLES

DENVER-STYLE HASH BROWN SKILLET

ROSEMARY HASH BROWNS WITH SCRAMBLED EGGS

VEGGIE, EGG AND HASH BROWN CASSEROLE


reviews & comments for waffle house hash browns

  1. Cathy Viviano REVIEW:
    February 27, 2019

    GOOD POTATOES :)

  2. Highmtn 52 REVIEW:
    August 28, 2016

    EXCELLENT! This is the TRUE old fashioned way to make hash browns! I'll admit to being lazy in my old age and par-baking (microwaving) my spuds before shredding and "hashing" them in cast iron. BUT - this morning for funzies I tried this recipe. Also.. squeeze them out very WELL before frying. After breakfast my hubby declared them the BEST hash browns he'd ever eaten! Bravo!

  3. Anonymous REVIEW:
    July 13, 2016

    I've always wondered how restaurants get their hash browns done so nicely as mine never turned out. I did pretty good with this recipe. Flipping them didn't go so well but I'll be making this again.

  4. totallymartha REVIEW:
    November 3, 2013

    A cast iron skillet is the way to go when making diner-like hashbrowns. The flipping part takes some practice. I use a small skillet and make the hashbrowns in batches for easier flipping.

Please note:
This is a copy cat recipe submitted to CDKitchen by a third-party. This recipe is not an original recipe unless specifically stated and is considered only to be an acceptable "clone" to the original for the home cook to attempt to duplicate. Please also note that many nationwide restaurant chains vary their menus and ingredients by region so the version provided may not be similar to what you may have tried before. All trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners.

');

Copycat Waffle House Hash Browns Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

What kind of oil does Waffle House use for hash browns? ›

A: Waffle House does use a dehydrated potato (very similar to what you can buy in the stores in the center of the aisle from Idahoan or Basic American) and they use a butter style oil.

Why can't I make good hash browns? ›

The biggest culprit that's making your hash browns come apart is moisture. You need to make sure the potatoes are dry before adding them to the flour and egg mixture. Whether you squeeze them out in a dish towel or use a salad spinner, get the potatoes as dry as they can be.

What kind of sausage does Waffle House use? ›

John Wayne+diner food–decades of equal rights progress=Jimmy Dean (the brand of breakfast sausage used by Waffle House, I should add). Think, if your memory extends that far back, of the brutish and grease-stained Mel in Alice.

What kind of cheese does Waffle House use? ›

As a great philosopher once said “Everything tastes better with cheese.” Waffle House is proud to serve American cheese produced by one of the leading dairy providers in America – Schreiber Foods.

Why are Waffle House hashbrowns so good? ›

How Waffle House Does Hash Browns Best. Here's what you should know about how they make hash browns at Waffle House: They start with dehydrated potatoes (not flakes for making mashed potatoes). The reconstituted potatoes are well-drained and cooked on a flat-top griddle with a generous amount of butter-flavored oil.

Does Waffle House use butter for hash browns? ›

Classic Waffle House Hash Brown ingredients

Waffle House Hashbrown Potatoes. Unsalted butter (see note below) Vegetable oil (see note below)

Is it better to fry hash browns in butter or oil? ›

Butter helps both browning and flavor, while oil lowers the smoke point, allowing your pan to do the steady, even cooking needed for perfectly crisped potatoes.

What is the secret to crispy hash browns? ›

7 Tips for Crispy, Totally-Not-Soggy-at-All, Hash Browns
  1. Shred the potatoes. A box grater works, but ideally you still know where you put the shredding disc attachment for your food processor. ...
  2. Rinse the potatoes. ...
  3. Dry the potatoes. ...
  4. Season the potatoes. ...
  5. Clarify the butter. ...
  6. Non-stick FTW. ...
  7. No touching.
Mar 26, 2015

What type of potatoes are best for hash browns? ›

Starchy potatoes like Russets work best for hash browns. Waxy potatoes like red new potatoes have a higher moisture content and tend to hold their shape better than starchy potatoes, and as such do not develop the crispiest of edges when fried.

What does Waffle House call their hash browns? ›

Some say “Po-tay-to.” Others say “Po-tah-to.” We simply say “Scattered, Smothered & Covered®”. And if we didn't use quality potatoes in our world-famous hashbrowns, these three words would not be synonymous with Waffle House restaurants.

What does "scatter" mean at Waffle House? ›

Scattered: The cook will spread the hash browns across the grill to get them ultra-crispy (otherwise they're grilled in a steel ring and served more patty-style). Smothered: If you're interested in aromatics, you'll ask for onions to be sautéed alongside your hash browns.

How are frozen hashbrowns processed? ›

Commercially the potatoes are steamed and tumbled to get the skin off, then shredded and blanched in water or oil and then (this is key) individually flash frozen in huge freezers by running the potato pieces thru on a conveyor belt. Then bagged and ready for the customer to oven bake or finish fry.

What does Waffle House use to fry eggs? ›

The waffle house grill operator cooks 2 eggs in what looks to be a stainless steel pan and then lets 2 slices of real American cheese melt in a small cast iron skillet.

How are McDonald's hashbrowns made? ›

The pieces are then mixed with salt and pepper, cornflour and potato flour, before being formed into the distinct hash brown shape. The hash browns are then part-fried before being cooled, frozen and packed ready for shipment to our restaurants.

Does Waffle House use butter or oil? ›

Contrary to what you might assume, it isn't melted butter. Instead, as a Waffle House employee revealed on TikTok, the breakfast chain uses Kaola Gold butter-flavored pan and griddle shortening.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 5251

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.