Name: McDonald's Hash Brown Recipe (Copycat)
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 large or 6 small russet potatoes; 1 tsp salt; 6 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp onion powder; Oil for frying

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I think pretty much everyone can agree that McDonald’s breakfast hash browns are one of the tastiest creations to date! They are perfectly crunchy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside.

This recipe is pretty easy, but it does need some freezer time, so I would definitely recommend making these the night before if you plan on having them for breakfast.

The cool thing about these hash browns is you form them into patties then stick them in the freezer.

You can keep them in there for up to 3 months before frying them up, so you can make a double or triple batch and have a perfect hash brown anytime!

The key for an extra crunchy hash brown is the cornstarch, so don’t skip that ingredient! There are a few substitutes that I’ll go over in the questions if you can’t or don’t have cornstarch.

These were a huge hit in my house, and now everyone’s begging me to make more! What you’ll need for this recipe is a coarse cheese grater or food processor with a grater attachment, parchment or freezer paper, and a skillet for frying.

Can I Use A Different Kind Of Potato?

Russet potatoes are really hardy and have more of a savory flavor, which makes them perfect for hash browns.

If you have other potatoes on hand, you can definitely use them, but the hash browns might be sweeter in flavor and a bit mushier.

What If I Don’t Have Cornstarch On Hand?

If you don’t have cornstarch, tapioca starch or flour will work, though I will say that cornstarch makes them the most crispy.

Can I Bake These Instead?

You can definitely bake these! Make sure to still add olive oil (or your oil of choice) to the baking sheet. They might not turn out quite as crispy, but they will still be delicious.

I would bake them at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through the baking process.

How Should I Serve These?

Serve these with a breakfast protein like bacon and eggs, as well as with a cup of coffee or orange juice! Or you can simply just eat them alone because they are that delicious. No wrong answers here!

Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?

This is a great recipe to make ahead of time! In fact, I would actually suggest making them the day before since they have to sit in the freezer for a while.

I actually double or triple this recipe sometimes and keep the extra patties in the freezer. You never know when your hash brown craving will hit! They will keep in the freezer for about 3 months.

How To Make McDonald’s Hash Brown Recipe

Step 1

Assemble your ingredients.

Peel the potatoes and slice them in quarters. Keep them in a bowl of ice-cold water so they don’t turn brown.

Step 2

Bring 3 cups of water to a boil, and add 1 tbsp of salt. Once the water is boiling, grate the potatoes and add them to the boiling water. Boil for 3 minutes.

Using a strainer, add the potatoes to a bowl of ice water to stop them from cooking. Squeeze out any excess water and pat dry with a paper towel.

Step 3

Add the potatoes to a mixing bowl and add the salt, cornstarch, and onion powder. Mix it thoroughly.

Step 4

Scoop out ¼ cup of potatoes and form 6 rounded edge oval patties.

Place them on a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper and freeze until they are completely hard, about 1-3 hours.

Step 5

Once the patties are ready, heat a pan or skillet on medium heat with 3 tbsp of oil. I used olive oil, but you can use any oil you have on hand.

Once the oil is hot, add the patties and cook until it is golden brown and crispy, then flip to brown the other side.

Place on a paper towel while they cool.

Step 6

Enjoy them with a cup of coffee and some eggs and bacon!