Craving that golden, crispy hash brown from McDonald’s? You’re in luck! With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can recreate that iconic breakfast item right in your own kitchen. Whether you prefer the classic crispy hash brown or want to take it up a notch with a gooey mozzarella cheese filling, this recipe has got you covered. Get ready to enjoy a breakfast treat that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, just like your favorite fast-food joint, but even better because it’s homemade!
Ingredients
- Potatoes: 4 medium-sized potatoes, approximately 560g (617g before peeling)
- Purpose: The main ingredient that provides the starch and texture needed for that perfect crispy bite.
- Salt: 3g (1 tsp flat)
- Purpose: Enhances the flavor of the potatoes.
- Cornstarch: 60g (6 tbsp)
- Purpose: Helps achieve that crispy, crunchy exterior.
- Cooking Oil: 2 tbsp (for frying)
- Purpose: Used to cook the potatoes and give them a golden brown finish.
- Mozzarella Cheese (Optional):
- Purpose: Adds a delicious, melty surprise inside the hash browns for the cheese variation.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Potatoes:
- Peel and Slice: Start by peeling the potatoes. Once peeled, slice them thinly to ensure even cooking.
- Tip: Use a mandoline slicer for uniform slices, which will help achieve an even crispiness.
- Rinse: Place the potato slices in a bowl of cold water. Rinse them thoroughly to remove the excess starch. This step is crucial for getting that perfect crispy texture.
- Tip: Rinse until the water runs clear, indicating that most of the starch has been removed.
- Drain: After rinsing, drain the potatoes well. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
2. Cook the Potatoes:
- Heat Oil: In a large frying pan, heat 2 tbsp of cooking oil over medium-high heat.
- Tip: Make sure the oil is hot before adding the potatoes to prevent them from absorbing too much oil.
- Add Potatoes: Once the oil is hot, add the drained potato slices to the pan.
- Season: Immediately season the potatoes with 3g of salt (1 tsp flat).
- Stir-Fry: Stir-fry the potatoes for about 5 minutes. Cook until they are tender, lightly golden, and evenly cooked. This step is important for ensuring the potatoes will clump together when shaped.
- Tip: Stir gently to avoid breaking the potato slices, which should stay intact for better texture.
3. Coat with Cornstarch:
- Transfer: After cooking, transfer the potatoes to a large mixing bowl.
- Coat: Sprinkle 60g of cornstarch (6 tbsp) evenly over the potatoes.
- Tip: Use a sifter to evenly distribute the cornstarch over the potatoes, ensuring a light, even coating.
- Mix: Gently mix the potatoes and cornstarch together. Be careful not to break the potato slices; they should be coated but still hold their shape.
4. Shape the Hash Browns:
- Line a Baking Sheet: Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Shape: Arrange the cornstarch-coated potato mixture onto the baking sheet, shaping it into rectangles or squares, depending on your preference.
- Tip: Use a spatula or your hands to press the potatoes firmly together, ensuring they will hold their shape during frying.
- Optional – Cheese Hash Browns:
- If you’re making cheese hash browns, place thin slices of mozzarella cheese on top of the shaped potato mixture. Cover with another layer of the potato mixture, pressing gently to encase the cheese completely.
5. Fry the Hash Browns:
- Heat Oil: Heat additional cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Tip: Use enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan, but not too much—about 1/4 inch deep should be sufficient.
- Fry: Carefully place the shaped hash browns into the hot oil. Fry for a few minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
6. Serve:
- Drain: Remove the hash browns from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve Hot: Serve your homemade hash browns immediately while they’re hot and crispy. Enjoy them on their own, or pair them with your favorite breakfast dishes.
- Tip: If you’ve made cheese hash browns, let them cool for a minute or two before serving, allowing the cheese to slightly set without losing its gooey texture.
Conclusion
With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can create crispy, delicious hash browns that rival any fast-food version. Whether you go for the classic style or indulge in the cheese-filled variation, these hash browns are sure to become a breakfast staple in your home. Serve them up with eggs, bacon, or enjoy them on their own for a satisfying start to your day. Happy cooking, and enjoy your crispy creation!