The Fastest, Easiest, Crispiest Hash Browns Ever!

I am going to show you how to cook hash browns in a waffle maker. It is the fastest way to cook hash browns and still create those crispy hash browns that we love!

Fastest Way to Cook Hash Browns

The fastest and easiest method that I have found for making crispy hash browns is appliance dependent. You can still make crispy hash browns without the appliances, but it will take a little longer and involve a little more effort. So what is the fastest way to cook hash browns? In a Waffle Iron!

How to Shredd Potatoes Fast? Set your food processor on the grate setting. I save even more time when shredding potatoes by leaving the skin on the potatoes. I simply wash the potatoes and remove any eyes. Then I cut them in quarters vertically, so I have long pieces to feed into the food processor.

How to Cook Hash Browns in a Waffle Iron

The waffle iron is not only the fastest way to cook hash browns, it is also the easiest way to make crispy hash browns. Why because more of the shredded potatoes are in close contact with the heated surfaces of the waffle maker which creates extra crisp hash browns.

You can use any type of potatoes you wish in this hashbrowns recipe. I often use red potatoes to make hash browns since I grow them in my garden.

Waffle Iron Hash Browns Recipe

• 2 pounds potatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt (how to make seasoned salt)
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat waffle iron.
2. Set your food processor on the grate setting.
3. Wash your potatoes, cut out the eyes, but don’t peel them. Run the potatoes, onions, and garlic through a food processor to grate them.

4. Remove the excess liquid from the potatoes by squeezing it out. If you don’t have a potato ricer, you can use one of these equally quick ways to remove excess moisture from potatoes.

5. Stir the shredded potatoes, garlic, and onion together. Sprinkle the potatoes with seasoned salt and pepper and stir to thoroughly combine.

6. Grease your waffle iron. Place 1/2 cup of seasoned, grated potatoes on each square of the waffle maker. Spread the potatoes out evenly. Close the waffle maker and cook for 8 – 10 minutes. A light may come on after 4 -5 minutes telling you that your hash browns are done, but they aren’t. The first time you use your waffle iron to make hashbrowns you will have to eyeball them to get a feel for how long they take to cook. Unlike waffles, you can peak at the hash browns while they are cooking without ruining them.

7. Repeat with the rest of the grated potatoes until all of your hash brown squares have been completely cooked.

How to Cook Hash Browns in a Frying Pan

If you don’t have a waffle maker, use the hash brown recipe above, but instead of putting the shredded potatoes in the waffle iron, spread the hashbrowns out evenly in the largest frying pan you have. You can also use a large electric skillet. Spreading the grated potatoes thinly over a large pan will ensure that you have crispier hash browns. It also means your hash brown potatoes with cook faster because more of them are in contact with the heated surface of the pan.

Directions for cooking Crispy Hash Browns in a Pan:

1. Heat a large frying pan, cast iron skillet, or electric skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add a tablespoon of cooking oil. Add as many of the shredded potatoes as needed to cover the surface of the pan in 1/2 inch thick layer. Let the potatoes cook, without disturbing them, until the bottom is golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Flip the hash brown potatoes over. Let the hashbrowns cook on the other side without disturbing them until golden brown and crispy, approximately 3 – 5 minutes.
3. Repeat the process until all of the potatoes are cooked.

Freezing Hash Browns

I usually double the recipe and put the extra hashbrowns in the freezer to use on busy mornings. To freeze hash browns, allow them to cool to ro0m temperature. Then place a piece of parchment paper between the individual hash brown waffles or patties, so they don’t stick together. Then place the hash browns in a sealable freezer bag. Squeeze the air out of the bag and label the bag with your hash brown recipe name and the date you froze the hash browns.

Reheating Frozen Hash Browns in the Microwave

To reheat frozen hash browns, put one square of hash browns on a microwave safe dish. Then microwave the frozen hash brown square on high for one minute.

Printable Recipe for Waffle Iron Hash Browns Recipe

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5 from 1 vote

The Fastest, Easiest, Crispiest Hash Browns Ever!

Servings 8

Author Alea

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 pounds potatoes
• ▢ 1 medium onion
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic
• ▢ 1 teaspoon seasoned salt how to make seasoned salt
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

• Preheat waffle iron.
• Set food processor on the grate setting.
• Run potatoes, onion and garlic through food processor.
• Squeeze excess liquid from veggies.
• Stir veggies together, sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper and stir to thoroughly combine.
• Brush or spray your waffle iron with oil. Place 1/2 cup of grated potatoes on each waffle square. Close the lid and cook for 8 - 10 minutes until hash browns are cooked through and crispy.
• Repeat with the rest of the grated potatoes.

Notes

If you don't have a food processor, you can use a box grater to grate the potatoes.

If you don't have a waffle iron, spread the grated potatoes evenly over the largest pan you have and cook over a medium-high flame until the bottom is crisp. Flip the potatoes over and cook until the other side is crisp.

More Potato Recipes:

Scalloped Potatoes
Twice Baked Potatoes
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Hasselback Red Potatoes
Garlic and Rosemary Red Potatoes
Herb Roasted New Potatoes
Sauteed Potatoes with Italian Seasoning
Roasted Potatoes and Recipe for Dry Onion Soup Mix

This hash browns recipe was originally published July 23, 2012. It was updated on April 5, 2018.