Whenever I go out for breakfast, there’s a good chance I’m ordering hash browns. I love a good stack of pancakes or a plate of eggs and bacon, but there’s something about crispy, golden potatoes that I just can’t resist. Give me a generous serving of hash browns with a little Cholula hot sauce, and I’m a happy camper.
At home, though, it’s a different story. I don’t make hash browns nearly as often as I order them at restaurants. As much as I love them, peeling and shredding potatoes isn’t how I want to spend my morning, especially when I’m trying to get breakfast on the table. That’s where frozen hash browns come in. They’re convenient, affordable and take most of the work out of making one of my favorite breakfast foods.
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For years, I had a go-to frozen brand that I’d pick up without giving the others much thought. But with so many options in the freezer aisle, I started wondering whether I was missing out on something better. After all, there’s no shortage of choices, from household names like Ore-Ida to grocery store brands that cost just a few bucks.
So, I picked up six different frozen varieties to see which ones were worth buying and which would be crowned the best frozen hash brown. I cooked them up, tasted them side by side and ranked them from worst to best. Here’s how they stacked up.
Our Testing Criteria: How We Rated Crispiness, Texture and Flavor
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For this taste test, I stuck with frozen hash brown patties rather than mixing in shredded or diced varieties, which would have made comparing them a little tricky.
I judged each brand on three things: crispiness, texture and flavor. A good hash brown should have a golden, crunchy exterior, but the inside is just as important. I wanted potatoes that were tender and cooked evenly, without being too firm or mushy.
Flavor was another big factor. I looked for a noticeable potato taste and enough seasoning to make each patty enjoyable on its own. I don’t mind adding a little salt, but I also don’t want to reach for a glass of water after every bite.
I also considered how well each hash brown would work as part of a breakfast. After all, you might be eating yours alongside eggs and bacon, stuffing it into a breakfast sandwich or enjoying it with nothing more than a little ketchup. The best ones should be good enough to stand on their own.
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The Complete Frozen Hash Brown Ranking (Worst to Best)
Here’s my ranking of all six frozen hash brown brands, starting with my least favorite and working up to the best one in this taste test.
6. Trader Joe’s Hash Browns
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
This one hurts a little. I used to practically live off Trader Joe’s hash browns, so I went into this taste test expecting them to do pretty well. Unfortunately, after trying them alongside five other brands, they ended up at the bottom of my list.
The exterior got nice and crispy, which is exactly what I wanted. But when I took a bite, the inside was a little firmer and less tender than I’d hoped. The difference was especially noticeable compared to some of the other brands, which had softer, fluffier interiors.
I’ve enjoyed these plenty of times before, so I was disappointed with how they compared. They’re still a decent option, but after this taste test, I have a few other brands I’d reach for first.
5. Great Value Hash Brown Patties
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
Walmart’s Great Value hash browns were perfectly fine, although they didn’t give me much to get excited about. They crisped up nicely in the air fryer, and the interior cooked evenly, so I had no real complaints about the texture.
The salt was one of the first things I noticed. They weren’t overly salty, but the seasoning seemed more pronounced than in some of the other brands. Beyond that, the flavor was pretty straightforward, without much that made these stand out.
That said, these are perfectly serviceable hash browns. I’d happily eat them with eggs and bacon or tucked inside a breakfast sandwich. They just didn’t stand out enough to earn a higher spot.
4. Ore-Ida Crispy Hash Brown Patties
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
I noticed something different about Ore-Ida’s hash browns almost immediately. They had a more pronounced savory flavor than the others, which made me curious enough to check the ingredients. Sure enough, dehydrated onion was listed, and I suspect that’s what I was tasting.
I actually liked the extra flavor. They were also well-seasoned, although a little saltier than I generally prefer. The exterior got nice and crispy, but the inside was firmer than I expected, even after following the cooking instructions.
Honestly, these almost edged out McCain for third place because I enjoyed the seasoning so much. In the end, though, I preferred McCain’s softer interior. Still, Ore-Ida makes a tasty hash brown, especially if you like yours with a little more flavor right out of the package.
3. McCain Quick Cook Hash Brown Patties
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
McCain’s Quick Cook hash browns didn’t have any special seasoning or especially distinctive flavor, but I really enjoyed them. The outside got crispy, the inside was soft and tender, and everything cooked pretty evenly. What more could I ask for?
Well, maybe a little more salt. These were slightly underseasoned for my taste, although I’d much rather have that than a hash brown that’s too salty. You can always sprinkle on a little extra salt or add your favorite condiment.
Otherwise, I had a hard time finding anything wrong with these. They tasted like a classic hash brown should, with a good balance of crispiness and soft potato inside. They’re a solid choice, and I’d gladly buy them again.
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2. Market Pantry Frozen Crispy Hash Brown Potato Patties
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
Target’s Market Pantry hash browns really impressed me. They had a wonderfully crispy exterior, and the inside cooked evenly, with a nice, soft potato texture. I also appreciated that they actually tasted like potatoes rather than just salt.
The seasoning was fairly mild, but I didn’t mind that at all. There wasn’t anything overpowering about them, and I could easily eat one on its own without reaching for hot sauce.
Another thing I liked was the wider patty shape. I could see these working especially well in a breakfast sandwich with an English muffin, egg and cheese.
Overall, there wasn’t much to complain about. The flavor, texture and crispiness were all excellent, and these came very close to taking the top spot.
1. Signature Select Lightly Seasoned Hash Brown Patties
Courtesy Fred Hernandez
And the winner is…Albertsons’ Signature Select hash browns! I wasn’t expecting these to be my favorite, but after tasting all six brands, they were the ones I preferred.
The first thing I noticed was how crispy they got. They’re relatively thin, which I think helped them cook evenly, and the interior was just about perfect. It was soft and tender but still had some texture from the shredded potatoes. Nothing felt too firm or mushy.
The seasoning was another big plus. These had just the right amount of salt for my taste, allowing the potato flavor to come through without needing anything extra. I also liked the wider patty shape, which would be great for burritos or sandwiches.
There really wasn’t anything I wanted to change about these. They had the crunch, flavor and texture I was looking for, and I’d happily eat them again. For me, they’re the best frozen hash browns of the bunch.
The #1 Mistake Ruining Your Frozen Hash Browns
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One of the easiest ways to ruin frozen hash browns is by overcrowding the skillet or air fryer basket. I know it’s tempting to squeeze in an extra patty or two, especially when you’re making breakfast for the whole family, but giving them enough room to cook makes a big difference.
When hash browns are packed too closely together or overlapping, moisture can get trapped, leaving you with soggy potatoes instead of that crispy, golden exterior. For the best results, arrange them in a single layer with a little space between each patty. If you’re making a big batch, cook them in rounds.
Also, don’t assume a crispy exterior means they’re ready. As I discovered during my taste test, some brands can brown nicely on the outside while the potatoes inside still need a little more time. Follow the package instructions, but check that the center is cooked through before serving.
Skillet vs. Air Fryer: What’s the Best Way to Cook Frozen Hash Browns?
Jen Tepp / Getty Images
I’ve made frozen hash browns both ways, but these days, I almost always go with an air fryer. It’s quick, requires little cleanup, and gets the outside nice and crispy without needing additional oil. Most frozen hash brown patties already contain oil, so you can usually pop them straight into the basket and let the air fryer do its thing.
That said, there’s a reason diners cook hash browns on a griddle. A skillet gives you more control over the browning, and a little oil helps develop that golden, crunchy crust. The downside is that you have to keep an eye on them, flip them and clean up afterward.
For everyday breakfasts, the air fryer gets my vote. Just make sure to arrange the patties in a single layer and check the center before serving. As I learned during this taste test, a crispy exterior doesn’t always mean the inside is fully cooked. Some brands may need an extra minute or two to get there.
Final Thoughts
My biggest takeaway is to not overlook store brands. Some of my favorites ended up being the least expected, showing that you don’t have to spend more to get a great hash brown. If you’ve been buying the same brand for years, it might be time to try something new.
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