Hash browns are one of America’s most popular breakfast foods—in fact, according to YouGov, more than 80 percent of people in the US say they like them. The crispy potato treat is even on the market research firm’s list of top 10 American foods (it sits at number 7, above dishes like apple pie and corn on the cob and below favorites like grilled cheese and French fries).
Crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside, it’s not hard to see why hash browns are a beloved American classic. They’re the perfect accompaniment to everything from scramble to (vegan) bacon. But beyond this classic combination, there are many different ways to cook with hash browns.
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How should you serve hash browns?
Made with finely sliced potatoes which are fried until golden, the crispy, fluffy hash browns loved across the US and beyond likely originated from Swiss rösti. The latter is a grated potato pancake typically served for breakfast in Switzerland, alongside ingredients like melted cheese, meat, eggs, and pickled onions. Hash browns are often served with similar ingredients (minus the pickled onions) in households across the US, and they’ve also become a fast-food staple—they’re a key part of widely loved McDonald’s breakfast meals, for example, where they’re usually offered alongside muffins and coffee.
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But this golden potato treat is incredibly versatile. Hash browns work well in breakfast tacos and burritos, for example, and they can be slotted into burger buns to create an extra crispy texture. They can also be shredded to form a tasty crust on frittatas and quiches, and they can be loaded up like nachos with ingredients like avocado, cheese, and salsa. When it comes to hash browns, the limit truly does not exist.
7 vegan recipes with hash browns
If you’ve got a bag chilling in the freezer and you need inspiration, find some of our favorite ways to enjoy hash browns below.
Jackie Sobon
1 Chickpea Breakfast Frittata With Hash Brown Crust
Because it binds and bakes in a similar way to egg, chickpea flour is the secret to this tasty frittata from the Vegan Yack Attack Plant-Based Meal Prep cookbook. But it’s the hash brown crust that really takes this breakfast and brunch dish to the next level, adding a delicious contrasting crispy texture to the fluffy frittata.
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Follow Your Heart
2 Vegan Chipotle Breakfast Burrito
Crunchy hash browns, vegan eggs, and chipotle mayonnaise wrapped in fluffy tortillas are the perfect breakfast combination. If you’ve got a busy day ahead, these tasty breakfast burritos from The VeganEgg Cookbook are easy to prep in advance, too.
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Eat Plant Based
3 Hash Brown Vegan Breakfast Casserole
A breakfast casserole is another great way to enjoy hash browns. You can load it up with any ingredients you like, but this recipe from Eat Plant-Based opts for homemade dairy-free cheese sauce and vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and spinach with delicious results.
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Minimalist Baker
4 Cheesy Broccoli Hash Brown Bake
Why reserve hash browns for breakfast or brunch? This delicious cheesy, broccoli hash brown bake from the Minimalist Baker makes for a super satisfying midweek dinner treat. According to the recipe blog, it’s “incredibly comforting, cheesy, salty, and garlicky.” Plus it’s “tender on the inside and crispy on the edges.” In other words, it ticks all of the boxes.
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Food Sharing Vegan
5 Smashed Avocado Hash Brown Toast
Avocado toast is a brunch classic, but if you feel like shaking things up a little, consider swapping out the bread for golden crispy hash browns. This recipe from Food Sharing Vegan is a total texture dream, plus it comes together in less than 15 minutes. Quick, simple, and delicious.
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Zucker and Jagdwurst
6 Vegan Cheese Spaetzle Hash Browns
Spaetzle is a type of German noodle that goes beautifully with crispy hash browns and vegan cheese, as this recipe from the Zucker and Jagdwurst blog demonstrates. Add some crunchy smoked tofu to the dish for extra protein, texture, and flavor, and don’t forget your favorite dip.
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The Vegan Atlas
7 Golden and Sweet Potato Hash Browns With Vegan Chorizo
Most hash browns are made with russet potatoes, but sweet potato works well, too—especially when it’s combined in a tasty skillet with greens and vegan chorizo. “Golden and sweet potato hash browns just might become your brunch go-to dish, and it’s hearty enough to serve for dinner,” notes the recipe blog The Vegan Atlas.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
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