McDonald's Style Hash Browns
{Serving suggestion only*}
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Recreate those iconic McDonald's hash browns at home with this brilliant make-ahead recipe! These crispy, golden rectangles feature the perfect combination of fluffy interior and crunchy exterior that made the originals famous. The secret lies in the par-frying technique and freezing process, which allows you to prep a batch and have restaurant-quality hash browns ready in minutes whenever cravings strike. Choose from three finishing methods - deep frying, shallow frying, or baking. - Claude
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Ingredients
Hash Browns:
4-5 russet potatoes
1 Tbsp cornstarch
Neutral oil for frying
Salt to taste

Directions
❗❗❗It's important to understand that this is a two-step process, which requires time for the hashbrown patties to freeze for at least two hours before finishing them.

The Prep:
Grate & Prepare the Potatoes:
Peel and rinse the potatoes.
Grate potatoes using a box grater into a large bowl.
Optionally rinse grated potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch, then drain.
Place grated potatoes on a clean towel, gather corners, and twist tightly to wring out excess water.
Spread potatoes on towel to continue drying for a few minutes.
 
Par-Fry (not "pan-fry") the Potatoes:
Heat 2 inches of oil in a wok or cast-iron skillet to 200-210°F (93-98°C).
Add potatoes and fry for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Strain potatoes through a metal strainer over a heat-safe bowl.
Save the cooled oil for future frying.
 
Finish the Mixture:
Transfer strained potatoes to a large bowl.
Add a generous sprinkle of salt and the cornstarch.
Mix with a spatula to distribute cornstarch and rough up potato exteriors.
Let mixture cool until workable with hands.
 
Shape & Freeze:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Form potatoes into hash browns by squeezing about 3.5 oz (100g) of mixture into a compact mass.
Shape into classic hash brown rectangles about 4x2.5x0.5 inches (10x6x2 cm).
This should make about 6 hash browns.
Space evenly on baking sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours.
Transfer to freezer-safe container for storage up to 2-3 months.
 
Cooking them to eat:
Cooking Methods:
Deep Frying: Heat oil to 350°F (176°C) and fry frozen hash browns for 5 minutes until golden.
Shallow Frying: Heat oil to 350°F (176°C) in cast-iron pan, fry frozen hash browns 2-3 minutes per side, flipping twice for even browning (6-8 minutes total).
Baking: Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C), heat oiled baking sheet for 5 minutes, bake frozen hash browns 10-15 minutes, flip, bake 5-10 minutes more.
Sprinkle with salt immediately after cooking and serve warm.
Servings
Makes 6 hash browns
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Per Serving (1 hash brown) - Calories: 180; Total Fat: 8g (Saturated Fat: 1g); Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 320mg; Total Carbohydrates: 26g (Dietary Fiber: 2g, Sugars: 1g); Protein: 3g; Calories from Fat: 72 (40%)
*Nutrition information is provided as a general estimate only. Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients, and is based on available nutrient data. Variations may occur based on ingredient brands and preparation methods.
💬 Uncle Dave says...
This recipe is perfect for meal prep enthusiasts who want restaurant-quality hash browns at home.
But it's important to understand that this is a two-step process, which requires time for the hashbrown patties to freeze for at least two hours before finishing them.
The par-frying and freezing technique ensures these hash browns maintain their shape and achieve maximum crispiness when cooked.
You can store the prepared hash browns in the freezer for 2-3 months, making them a convenient breakfast option.
🧑‍🍳 The Cook:  Dave Ferguson 🔑 Keywords: hash browns, potatoes, breakfast, mcdonalds, make-ahead
🗂️ Categories: 🆕 New Recipes, 🥞 Breakfast & Brunch, 🧒 Foods Kids Love, 💡️ Tips & Hints for Everyday
📚 Cookbooks: Uncle Dave's Cookbook, The TFR Cookbook
McDonald's Style Hash Browns was added on May 25, 2025 and last updated on May 25, 2025.
*Serving suggestion only. 😂 If a food photo doesn't look like it was taken by a monkey named Frank, it was most likely AI generated and not the result of Frank's minimal culinary or photographic skills. Unless you failed the "I'm not a robot" test, your recipes will probably not look like the ones in the pictures. See Creamy Turkey Veggie Soup to read more about AI images.
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