Frederic Melton
Hash browns are a popular breakfast side and staple, with many fast-food chains and restaurants serving them. They are believed to have originated in Switzerland, where they were known as 'rosti' and were made by grating and frying potatoes until crispy. In search of the best fast-food hash browns, food critics have visited several chains, including McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin', White Castle, Taco John's, Burger King, and Jack in the Box. These restaurants put their unique spin on the classic recipe, offering a variety of shapes, textures, and flavors to cater to different preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fast-food chains that serve hash browns | McDonald's, Dunkin', Chick-fil-A, Burger King, White Castle, Taco John's |
| Hash brown styles | Nugget-style, patty-style, bite-sized, round "bites" |
| Seasonings | Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, sage |
| Texture | Crispy, crunchy, fluffy, soft, tender |
| Calories | McDonald's hash browns contain around 150 calories each; a medium order of Burger King's hash brown bites contains about 540 calories |
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What You'll Learn
Fast-food chains that serve hash browns
Hash browns are a breakfast staple, and it's no surprise that many fast-food chains have added them to their menus. The classic recipe has been adapted by various restaurants, each putting its own spin on it to stand out. While the preparation methods may differ, the core ingredient remains the same: grated potatoes, shaped into rectangles, patties, or nuggets, and fried until crispy and golden.
McDonald's is one of the most well-known fast-food chains serving hash browns. Their iconic version has been on the menu since 1977, and these round-ended hash browns are fluffy and soft on the inside with a crispy exterior. They are seasoned simply with salt and pepper and are cooked in oil containing beef extract, similar to their famous fries. Another popular option is Dunkin', whose hash brown nuggets have a unique seasoning blend of onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, and sage. These hash browns are golden, soft, and tender, making them perfect for those who prefer a less crispy option.
Burger King's hash brown bites, or nuggets, offer a "sweet-and-salty" flavor profile. While some find them tasty, others have criticized their high sodium content and plain taste. Chick-fil-A also serves hash brown "bites," which are small, round, and well-seasoned. These pair well with the brand's signature dipping sauces. Taco Bell offers a traditional patty-style hash brown that is crisp on the outside and has a clean fried potato flavor. However, opinions differ on their taste, with some finding them too greasy, bland, and dry.
Other fast-food chains worth mentioning include Jack in the Box, known for their buttery-flavored hash browns, and White Castle, which serves nugget-style Hash Brown Nibblers. Del Taco also offers hash brown "sticks," although their taste and texture have received mixed reviews. Ultimately, each fast-food chain has its own take on hash browns, and it's worth trying them to find your favorite!
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Hash browns as a breakfast side
Hash browns are a popular breakfast side dish, with many fast-food chains and restaurants serving them. They are believed to have originated in Switzerland, where they were known as 'rosti' and were made by grating and frying potatoes until crispy. The dish then gained popularity in other European countries before spreading to the United States and becoming a fast-food staple. Hash browns are typically made by grating potatoes, squeezing out the excess moisture, and frying them to achieve a golden brown colour and crispy texture.
Several fast-food chains in the United States are known for their hash browns, including McDonald's, which has been serving its iconic round-ended hash browns since 1977. These hash browns are fluffy and soft on the inside with a crispy exterior and simple seasoning of salt and pepper. Similarly, Burger King offers hash brown bites with a unique "sweet and salty" flavour combination and a crispy texture. For those who prefer their hash browns on the softer side, Dunkin's hash brown nuggets are a perfect choice, as they are golden, soft, and lightly seasoned.
In addition to the traditional potato hash browns, some restaurants have created unique variations. For instance, Taco John's sells nugget-style hash browns called "Potato Olés," which are served with a variety of dipping sauces, including nacho cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. White Castle also offers Hash Brown Nibblers, which are nugget-style and available all day. Chick-fil-A serves small, round hash brown "bites" that are well-seasoned and crispy, often paired with their signature dipping sauces or included in their "scramble bowls."
Hash browns can also be made at home with various recipes available online. One such recipe is Grandma's Hash Brown Casserole, which includes a mix of hash browns, cheddar cheese, condensed soup, sour cream, butter, onion, and seasonings, topped with crushed cornflakes and baked in the oven. Another recipe features cheesy hash brown patties made with pre-shredded hash browns, mozzarella cheese, onion, flour, and eggs, resulting in a crispy and crunchy texture. These homemade options allow for a customisable and comforting breakfast side dish.
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Hash brown casserole
Ingredients:
- Frozen hash brown potatoes (thawed)
- Condensed cream of chicken soup
- Cheddar cheese ?(pre-shredded or shredded from a block)
- Sour cream
- Butter (unsalted)
- Onion (sweet, yellow or regular)
- Salt and ground black pepper (seasonings)
- Cornflakes or crushed buttery round crackers (e.g. Ritz)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9x13-inch casserole or baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish.
- Sprinkle cornflakes or crushed crackers on top and drizzle with the remaining melted butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 ½ hours, until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
You can also add leftover chicken, ham, or ground beef to this recipe, as well as steamed broccoli, peas, or other vegetables. For a shiny brown sheen on top, bake the casserole covered with tin foil for the first part of the baking time, then remove the foil to allow the heat to cook the top directly. This recipe serves 6 to 8 people and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
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Hash brown patties
While there are numerous ways to prepare hash browns, the traditional method involves grating potatoes, squeezing out the excess moisture, and frying them to achieve a golden brown colour and crispy texture. Some recipes call for the addition of cheese, resulting in cheesy hash brown patties that are perfect for breakfast or brunch. These can be made at home or enjoyed at restaurants, with variations including the use of pre-shredded hash browns for convenience.
Fast-food chains have also put their unique spin on hash brown patties, with some of the most popular options available at well-known restaurants. For instance, McDonald's has been serving its iconic hash browns since 1977, and they are known for their round ends, fluffy interior, and crispy exterior. Dunkin's hash browns are also popular for those who prefer a softer texture, as they are golden, tender, and lightly seasoned. Burger King's hash brown bites offer a sweet-and-salty flavour combination with a crispy texture, while Chick-fil-A's hash brown bites are well-seasoned and crispy, pairing well with their signature dipping sauces.
In addition to these popular options, other fast-food chains like White Castle and Taco John's offer nugget-style hash browns, which are smaller and denser. These options may be preferred by those seeking a crispy, crunchy texture. While some chains offer breakfast all day, others have more restricted timings, so it's always good to check before satisfying that hash brown craving!
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Hash brown nuggets
Hash browns are a popular breakfast side, believed to have originated in Switzerland as 'rosti', before gaining popularity in Germany and Austria. They eventually made their way to the United States, where they are now a staple of fast-food chains. Many of these chains serve hash browns in nugget form, including:
Dunkin'
Dunkin's hash brown nuggets have a unique seasoning blend, featuring onion powder, garlic powder, parsley and sage. They are golden, soft, and tender, and are available as part of the chain's all-day breakfast menu.
Burger King
Burger King's hash brown nuggets have a tender potato filling and a crunchy exterior. They are vegan-friendly and are priced at $1.89, making them a mid-range option.
White Castle
White Castle's Hash Brown Nibblers are nugget-style hash browns, priced at $1.99. They are served as part of the chain's all-day breakfast menu.
Taco John's
Taco John's sells nugget-style hash browns called Potato Olés for $2.99. They are served with a variety of dipping sauces, including nacho cheese, sour cream, guacamole and salsa.
Carl's Jr. / Hardee's
Carl's Jr. / Hardee's serves poppable, bite-sized hash browns that resemble nuggets. They are seasoned with salt and pepper and made with real shredded potatoes. They are also affordable.
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Frequently asked questions
Many fast-food chains serve hash browns, but they may not all be served with cheese. McDonald's, Dunkin', Burger King, Chick-fil-A, and Taco John's all serve hash browns. Taco John's serves nugget-style hash browns with a variety of dipping sauces, including nacho cheese. Chick-fil-A also includes hash browns in their "scramble bowls", which contain cheese.
This is subjective, but one source ranks Dunkin's hash brown nuggets as the best, noting a unique seasoning blend of onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, and sage. Another source ranks Chick-fil-A's hash brown bites as the best, praising their seasoning and pairing with the brand's signature dipping sauces.
White Castle serves Hash Brown Nibblers, which are available all day. Burger King's hash brown bites have a "sweet-and-salty" flavor combination, but they more closely resemble tater tots.
