New to potato cooking? Explore Simple Potatoes Hash Browns

Few people can resist golden and crispy Potatoes Hash Browns. Today, I'll teach you how to make simple Potatoes Hash Browns. Come and learn!

Simple Potatoes Hash Browns

Ingredients Needed:

Potatoes: 2 (medium-sized)

Flour: About 100 grams

Salt: A little

Processing the Potatoes:

Wash and peel the potatoes, cut them into thin slices, and put them in a steamer. Steam for about 15 minutes until cooked (around 15 minutes).

Mashing into Mashed Potatoes:

Put the steamed potatoes into a bowl and mash them into a smooth mashed potato.

Adding Flour and Salt:

Add flour and salt to the mashed potatoes. Stir well and knead into a dough that doesn't stick to your hands. If it's too dry, add a little water appropriately.

Frying:

Pour a little oil into a non-stick pan. When the oil is hot, take a small piece of dough, press it into a small round cake with your hands, put it into the pan, and fry until both sides are golden.

Precautions

Mash the potatoes as finely as possible to make the fried pancakes soft and glutinous.

Fry over medium-low heat to avoid burning.

What Are the Ingredients in Simply Potato Hash Browns?

Basic Ingredients

Potatoes: The core ingredient. It is recommended to choose potato varieties with a high starch content for a more soft, glutinous texture and stronger aroma.

Flour: Regular all-purpose flour is fine. It can make the shredded potatoes stick together better and help the pancakes take shape. You can also use cake flour as a substitute.

Salt: A basic seasoning. Adjust the amount of salt according to the quantity of potatoes.

Cooking oil: Used for frying pancakes. It is recommended to use odorless vegetable oils such as corn oil and sunflower oil, which will not mask the original flavor of the potatoes.

Optional Ingredients

Scallions: Add flavor and color to make the pancakes more appetizing.

Black pepper powder: Give the pancakes a unique flavor. A little spiciness can enhance the taste.

Five-spice powder: Increase the flavor levels of the pancakes.

Diced ham: Enhance the meaty flavor and enrich the taste of the Potatoes Hash Browns.

Shredded carrots: Sweet in taste, adding color and nutrition to the pancakes.

How to Make Simply Potatoes Hash Browns Crispy?

The following tips can make Potatoes Hash Browns more crispy, soft, and tender:

Control the humidity of the mashed potatoes

If the mashed potatoes are too wet, the fried pancakes will be soft and glutinous but not crispy.

You can squeeze out the excess water when mashing the potatoes to keep them dry. This makes it easier to form a crispy crust during frying.

Add a small amount of starch

In addition to flour, you can also add a small amount of starch. Starch can make the outer skin of the pancakes more crispy.

Control the heat during frying

The heat is crucial when frying potato cakes. It is recommended to first fry over medium-low heat until they take shape, then flip them over and continue frying. Fry both sides until golden and crispy.

Moderate thickness

The thickness of the potato cakes is very important. If the cake is too thick, it is not easy to fry crispy; if it is too thin, it is easy to burn. It is recommended to press the potato cakes to about 0.5 cm thick to ensure a crispy taste without burning.

Let it stand for a while before frying

After mixing the mashed potatoes and flour, don't rush to put them in the pan. Let it stand for 10 - 15 minutes. This allows the flour to fully absorb the moisture in the mashed potatoes, making it easier to form when frying, and the outer skin will be more crispy.

Add oil in small amounts and multiple times

Don't put too much oil in the pan when frying pancakes. During the frying process, if you find that there is not enough oil, you can add oil in small amounts and multiple times. This makes the outer skin of the pancakes more crispy without being greasy.

Let it cool slightly after frying

Don't eat the freshly fried potato cakes immediately. Let them stand for a while. The freshly cooked cakes are softer, and the outer skin will become more crispy after cooling slightly.

Can You Cook Simply Potatoes Hash Browns in an Air Fryer?

You can fry potato cakes in an air fryer.

The air fryer is a very popular cooking tool now. It not only has a fast cooking time but also requires very little oil compared to traditional frying methods. It can also make food achieve a similar fried texture, making it healthier.

Cooking potato cakes in an air fryer is very simple. After making the potato cakes, just put them in and set the time. Usually, I recommend setting the air fryer to 180°C and baking for about 15 minutes.

Tips

Preheat the air fryer for Potatoes Hash Browns to ensure even heating.

Pay attention to observing during the frying process to avoid burning the pancakes.

Are Simply Potatoes Hash Browns Gluten - Free?

Potatoes themselves are gluten-free and are a relatively healthy ingredient. If you only use basic ingredients such as potatoes, eggs, and salt to make them, then they are gluten-free.

However, if you add wheat flour and other gluten-containing flours when making potato cakes, then the made potato cakes contain gluten, and people with gluten allergies need to be careful.

Precautions:

If you are allergic to gluten, carefully check the recipe and production instructions of Potatoes Hash Browns.

If you are making gluten-free potato cakes at home, be sure to pay attention to kitchen hygiene and the cleanliness of the ingredients to avoid cross-contamination.

How to Cook Simply Potatoes Hash Browns in the Oven?

Baking Potatoes Hash Browns in an oven is very simple. Here's the specific method:

Materials Preparation

Potatoes: 2 - 3 medium-sized (can be adjusted according to the size and quantity of the pancakes).

Egg: 1 (to increase stickiness and texture).

Salt: Appropriate amount (for seasoning).

Black pepper powder: A little (optional).

Onion: 1/4 (chopped, to add flavor to the Potatoes Hash Browns, optional).

Cooking oil: Appropriate amount (used to brush the baking sheet and the surface of the pancakes).

Potato Processing

First, wash and peel the potatoes. Use a grater to grate the potatoes into thin strips.

Squeeze out the excess water from the potato strips with kitchen paper or a clean gauze.

Mixing the Ingredients

Put the grated potatoes into a large bowl, add the egg, salt, black pepper powder, and chopped onion, and stir well.

Preparing the Baking Sheet

Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F). Brush a thin layer of cooking oil on the baking sheet to prevent the pancakes from sticking.

Shaping the Pancakes

Divide the mixed potato strips into several portions. Press each portion into a round cake shape by hand, about 0.5 cm thick.

Place the pressed potato cakes on the baking sheet. Be sure to leave some space between each cake.

Baking

Put the baking sheet in the middle of the preheated oven and bake for about 20 - 25 minutes.

Observe the surface of the Potatoes Hash Browns during baking. When the bottom turns golden, flip them over and bake for another 10 - 15 minutes until the surface is golden and the edges are crispy.

Final Treatment

Take the baked potato cakes out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before eating.