Bushra Griffith
Hash browns are a popular breakfast side and staple, with many fast-food chains and restaurants serving them. Hash browns are believed to have originated in Switzerland, where they were known as 'rosti' and made by grating and frying potatoes until crispy. While some restaurants offer breakfast all day, others stop serving it around 10:30 or 11:00 am. Hash browns can be found in nugget or patty style, with some restaurants offering vegan options. Many restaurants have put their unique spin on the classic recipe, but one popular variation is cheesy hash browns, which can be found at restaurants like Hash Kitchen and Blue Cheese Bungalow.
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What You'll Learn
Fast-food chains with cheese hash rounds
While hash browns are a popular menu item at many fast-food chains, cheese hash browns are harder to come by. Here are some fast-food chains that serve hash browns with cheese, either as a side or as part of a dish:
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A's hash browns are served as small, round "bites" that are well-seasoned and crispy. They can be paired with the brand's signature dipping sauces or included in other menu items like their "scramble bowls," which consist of hash browns, scrambled eggs, cheese, and a choice of protein.
McDonald's
McDonald's has been serving hash browns since 1977, and they have become iconic. These golden-brown, round-ended hash browns are fluffy and soft on the inside with a crispy exterior. They are simply seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked in oil that contains beef extract, similar to their famous fries.
Taco John’s
Taco John’s sells nugget-style hash browns called "Potato Olés." They are the largest portion size among the options sampled and are available with a variety of dipping sauces, including nacho cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. However, they are only served during breakfast hours.
Burger King
Burger King offers hash brown nuggets that combine a tender potato filling with a crunchy exterior. Their hash browns are vegan and are priced at $1.89, which is in the middle range compared to other fast-food restaurants.
White Castle
White Castle serves nugget-style "Hash Brown Nibblers" for $1.99. They offer all-day breakfast, so you can satisfy your hash brown craving any time of day.
While not a traditional fast-food chain, Cracker Barrel also offers a hash brown casserole that is creamy and cheesy, making it a perfect breakfast or brunch option.
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Hash brown casseroles
The key ingredients in a hash brown casserole typically include frozen hash brown potatoes, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, butter, onion, cheese, and cornflakes. Some recipes call for pre-shredded hash browns, making the preparation even easier. The hash browns are combined with the soup, sour cream, butter, onion, and seasonings, and then transferred to a baking dish. The cornflakes are then sprinkled on top, along with more butter, and the casserole is baked until bubbly and golden brown.
For those who prefer a tangier flavour, sharp Cheddar cheese can be used instead of mild Cheddar. Additionally, the casserole can be customised by adding ingredients such as garlic, green peas, or minced onion. Some people also like to top the casserole with crushed crackers or potato chips instead of cornflakes.
Leftovers of this tasty dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, or they can be frozen for up to three months. So, whether you're serving a large group or simply want a comforting meal, hash brown casseroles are a great option that can be prepared ahead of time and enjoyed hot and bubbly straight from the oven!
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Hash brown patty vs nugget style
Hash browns are a popular side dish, especially for breakfast. They are typically made from shredded potatoes formed into either a patty or nugget shape and fried until crispy. While both styles have their fans, there are some distinct differences between the two.
Hash Brown Patty
Hash brown patties are made from shredded potatoes that are formed into a patty shape and then pan-fried. This style of hash brown is often associated with fast-food restaurants such as McDonald's, which serves a traditional patty-style hash brown that has been ranked highly for its seasoning and ease of eating on the go. Hash brown patties can also be made at home, either by shredding potatoes or using pre-shredded hash browns, and then frying them in oil. Some recipes call for adding ingredients like cheese, onion, flour, and eggs to the potato mixture, which can help bind the patty together and add flavour.
Hash Brown Nugget
Hash brown nuggets, also known as "tater tots," are made from shredded potatoes that are formed into small, bite-sized pieces. This style of hash brown is often served at fast-food restaurants such as White Castle, Taco John's, Dunkin', and Burger King. Nugget-style hash browns offer a crunchy exterior and a tender potato centre, and they are often seasoned with unique blends of spices. For example, Dunkin's hash brown nuggets have hints of onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, and sage. Burger King's hash brown nuggets are also notable for their tender potato filling and crunchy exterior, and they are a good vegan option.
Comparison
The main difference between hash brown patties and nuggets is in their shape and texture. Patties are larger and flatter, resembling a pancake, while nuggets are smaller and more compact. This gives the two styles a different potato-to-crunch ratio, with patties offering a more substantial potato filling and nuggets providing a crispier exterior. Personal preference plays a role in which style is preferred, but some people feel that the loose, shredded texture of nuggets gives them a more appealing crunch and visual appeal compared to the more compressed patties. Additionally, nugget-style hash browns may be seen as more convenient for dipping in sauces, as they can be easily picked up and dipped, whereas patties may be messier to eat with dipping sauces.
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Hash brown sides at Hash Kitchen
Hash browns are a breakfast staple and a versatile side dish. At Hash Kitchen, they take this classic side to the next level with their creative and indulgent offerings. Here are some mouth-watering options for hash brown sides that you can find at Hash Kitchen:
Has# Hash Browns
The signature Has# Hash Browns are a must-try at Hash Kitchen. These hash browns are served with a variety of mouth-watering toppings and accompaniments. One option includes thick-cut brioche, pork carnitas, mashed avocado, fried eggs, crispy leeks, and green chile hollandaise. This dish offers a unique combination of textures and flavours, with the crispiness of the hash browns complementing the creamy avocado and the kick of the green chile hollandaise.
Potato Tacos
For a unique twist on traditional tacos, Hash Kitchen offers potato tacos with a hash brown base. These tacos are filled with queso fresco, lettuce, cilantro, avocado, tomato, fried eggs, salsa verde, and crema. You can also choose to add chicken tinga, pork carnitas, or birria for an additional protein boost. This dish showcases the versatility of hash browns by incorporating them into a Mexican-inspired creation.
Brunchilada with Hash Browns
This hearty dish is perfect for brunch enthusiasts. It features warm tortillas, chorizo, mashed potatoes, brunchilada sauce, salsa roja, mozzarella, lettuce, diced tomatoes, fried eggs, crema, and cilantro. The star of this dish is the addition of two crispy hash browns, adding a contrast of textures and a satisfying crunch. You can also choose to add chicken tinga or pork carnitas for an extra indulgent option.
Sweet Corn Cakes with Hash Browns
For a sweet and savoury option, Hash Kitchen offers sweet corn cakes served with green chile pork, cilantro, and green chile hollandaise. The hash browns provide a crispy base or side to this dish, adding texture and flavour to the sweet and spicy flavours of the corn cakes and chile pork. This dish showcases the versatility of hash browns by incorporating them into a unique flavour profile.
With these options and more, Hash Kitchen elevates the simple hash brown side to new heights, incorporating international flavours, creative toppings, and indulgent combinations. These dishes are perfect for those seeking a unique and satisfying breakfast or brunch experience, showcasing the versatility and appeal of hash browns as a side dish.
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Making cheese hash browns at home
Ingredients
First, gather your ingredients. For a basic cheese hash brown recipe, you'll need shredded potatoes, cheese (such as mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix of your choice), onion, flour, and eggs. You can also add additional ingredients like bacon, cream cheese, or thyme for extra flavour.
Preparation
Start by placing your shredded potatoes in a clean mixing bowl. If you're short on time, you can use pre-shredded hash browns, which are already cut and seasoned. Add your cheese, onion, flour, and any other desired ingredients, such as thyme or bacon, to the bowl. Toss everything together until well combined.
Cooking
Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat and melt a tablespoon of butter. Scoop half-cup portions of the potato mixture into the skillet, leaving about an inch between each scoop. Use the back of a spatula to flatten the potato piles gently. Fry the hash browns for around 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until they are browned and crispy to your liking.
Serving
Remove the hash browns from the heat and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack. Lightly season with salt, and top with additional ingredients like minced thyme or chopped green onions. Serve while hot and crispy!
Variations
If you're looking for a more casserole-style dish, you can try making a Cracker Barrel-inspired hash brown casserole. Combine thawed hash browns, melted butter, cream of chicken (or cheddar) soup, sour cream, onion, cheese, and pepper in a large bowl. Spread the mixture into a baking dish and top with more cheese. Bake until hot and bubbly. For a crunchy topping, crush some cornflakes and toss them with melted butter before sprinkling them over the casserole before baking.
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Frequently asked questions
Cracker Barrel, Hash Kitchen, and Chick-fil-A all serve cheese hash browns.
Hash Kitchen's hash browns are served with dishes such as goat cheese, pepper jack cheese, cheddar cheese, and more.
Cracker Barrel's hash brown casserole contains multiple types of cheese, including cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
