If you want to feel like you’re eating at an old-school roadside diner for breakfast, look no further than this recipe for Frozen Hash Browns in Oven to give you that taste of classic Americana.
There’s something about a roadside diner that fills me with a wave of warm nostalgia. Remember the good old days when you could hop in your car, unfold a creased map from the glove box, point down the road, and simply drive? You never quite knew where you were going, and that was part of the fun. Who knows where that random highway exit might lead? Who knows what lies behind that bend in the road? The classic American road trip was just as much about discovery as it was about travel, and nothing exemplified that feeling of exploration more so than the American roadside diner.
Of course, these days, it’s getting more and more difficult to find an old-school diner of that variety. Sure, you’ve got your Cracker Barrels and Bob Evans and Waffle House locations, which do their best to channel that nostalgia. But at the end of the day, it’s all branding, and if you want the real thing, you may have to steer off the beaten path for a couple of miles or so. These greasy spoon joints are still out there, places where the coffee is hot and cheap, where the stovetops are always sizzling, where the eggs, bacon, sausage and toast are always made to order — and, of course, where you can find a heaping plate of delicious hash browns.
In my opinion, this diner-style food is the pinnacle of American ingenuity. Sure, Japan may have its famous sushi bars, where diners can sit in reverent silence as a master prepares bite-size creations that channel the wonders of the sea. But in America, there’s something just as good: diner counters. Hop on a stool, swivel around to face the kitchen, and you’re treated to a wondrous showcase of culinary speed and skill: spatulas slapping, grease bubbling, hash steaming. And within a minute or two, that delicious food is slid onto a warm plate and placed in front of you.
But sometimes, the craving for a good diner-style breakfast hits on a whim, and if you don’t have time to hop in the car and head down the highway, I recommend this recipe for Frozen Hash Browns In Oven. It takes all the best flavors of diner hash browns with the convenience of a frozen meal. Cook them up with some eggs and bacon, close your eyes, and you might be able to convince yourself you’re really in a roadside diner.
Do the Hash Browns Have to Be Frozen?
The simple answer is yes, at least for this recipe. Of course, you are certainly able to make your own hash browns, but they’ll require a whole lot more effort. You’ll have to parboil your potatoes, grate them, soak them in water, dry them, soak them again, dry them, and then fry them up.
For people who want to skip a few steps, I highly recommend purchasing frozen potatoes that have already been grated. The great part about these frozen potatoes is you won’t be sacrificing flavor when you buy them frozen. If anything, they cook more evenly. And having them in your freezer, ready to dump in a hot pan, means you can have classic hash browns in just a few minutes, whenever you want.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
Hash browns are great because they store so easily. Simply toss your leftovers in an airtight container, a plastic sandwich bag, or in a covered bowl. When it’s time to reheat them, you can always use the microwave, but if you’ve got time, I would recommend reheating them on the stovetop for best results.
Should I Buy Pre-Seasoned Potatoes?
It’s really up to you. I personally prefer to buy unseasoned potatoes, as it allows me to mix and match my own flavor profiles to my liking, and I think seasoning as you cook gives better results. But if you accidentally bought a seasoned bag, don’t worry — most will still taste delicious.
Serving Suggestions
Hash browns on their own are delicious, of course, but this recipe is best used as a vehicle for other food items, like eggs, peppers, bacon, sausage, or salsa. Simply fill your plate with hash browns and then load them up with whatever your heart desires. These also work as a great side dish if you’ve got company, giving people a chance to serve themselves by the spoonful.
Frozen Hash Browns In Oven
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen hash brown potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Spread the frozen hash browns in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the baking sheet and flip the hash browns with a spatula.
- Return the hash browns to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve immediately as a side to your favorite breakfast dishes.
Making these tonight! Thank you so much!
Nice! Hope you enjoy this recipe.