These Crispy Hash Brown Waffles are the ultimate combination of crispy, savory, and delicious. Made from grated russet potatoes, seasoned with a bit of garlic, and cooked to perfection in a waffle iron, they’re a perfect breakfast, brunch, or side dish that’s both fun and flavorful. Serve them as a snack, alongside eggs, or top them with your favorite savory toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Crispy Perfection: The waffle iron creates a crispy, golden crust that makes each bite irresistible.
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Versatile: You can enjoy these waffles as a snack, side dish, or breakfast. They pair well with almost anything!
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Simple Ingredients: Made with just a few pantry staples, these waffles are easy to make and full of flavor.
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Customizable: Add your favorite seasonings or toppings to suit your taste.
Ingredients
For the Waffles:
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2 large Russet Potatoes
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1/4 medium Yellow Onion, grated
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2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
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1 large Egg
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1 teaspoon Salt
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1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
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1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
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Vegetable Oil (for cooking)
Optional Seasonings:
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Paprika, cayenne pepper, dried herbs like thyme or rosemary, or your favorite seasoning to taste.
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
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Start by washing and peeling your russet potatoes.
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Grate the potatoes using a box grater or food processor. Aim for medium shreds.
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Remove excess moisture: Place the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Squeeze firmly to extract as much moisture as possible. The drier the potatoes, the crispier your waffles will be.
Step 2: Grate the Onion
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Peel and finely grate the yellow onion. You can use the same grater or food processor. This ensures the onion blends evenly into the potato mixture.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded potatoes, grated onion, all-purpose flour, egg, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
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Mix well until everything is evenly distributed, ensuring there are no clumps of flour.
Step 4: Preheat the Waffle Iron
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Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease the waffle iron grids with vegetable oil (using a brush or cooking spray) to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Cook the Waffles
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Scoop about 1/2 cup of the potato mixture onto the center of the preheated waffle iron. Spread it evenly, ensuring it almost reaches the edges of the waffle grid without overfilling.
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Close the waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions or until the waffles are golden brown and crispy, which typically takes about 5-7 minutes. Avoid opening the waffle iron too early to prevent the waffles from sticking or tearing.
Step 6: Achieve Peak Crispiness
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Once the waffles are cooked, remove them carefully from the waffle iron using a fork or tongs.
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Place them on a wire rack to maintain crispiness. Avoid stacking them on a plate, as this traps steam and makes them soggy.
Step 7: Repeat and Serve
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Continue cooking the remaining waffles with the remaining mixture.
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Serve hot and crispy, with toppings or sides of your choice.
How to Serve Crispy Hash Brown Waffles
These waffles are incredibly versatile! Here are a few serving ideas:
Classic Breakfast:
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Top with a fried or poached egg for a protein-packed breakfast.
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Add crispy bacon or sausage for a hearty meal.
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Serve with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt and sprinkle with fresh chives.
Brunch Extravaganza:
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Create a waffle bar with toppings like avocado slices, smoked salmon, and crème fraîche.
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Pair with a fresh fruit salad and a mimosa for a celebratory brunch.
Savory Lunch or Dinner:
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Use them as a base for savory waffle sandwiches with fillings like pulled pork, BBQ chicken, or roasted vegetables.
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Top with chili and cheese for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Sweet and Savory Fusion:
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Drizzle with maple syrup and sprinkle with crumbled bacon for a sweet and salty combination.
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Top with caramelized onions and goat cheese for a sophisticated flavor.
Additional Tips for Perfect Hash Brown Waffles
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Squeeze, Squeeze, Squeeze: The key to crispy waffles is removing moisture. Squeeze out every last drop from the shredded potatoes.
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Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour and egg, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the waffles tough.
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Hot Waffle Iron: Make sure your waffle iron is properly preheated to achieve that perfect crispiness.
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Resist the Urge to Peek: Let the waffles cook undisturbed for the recommended time to avoid sticking or tearing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I make these waffles ahead of time?
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Yes, you can make them ahead of time! Store cooked waffles in an airtight container and reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to restore their crispiness.
Q2: Can I freeze hash brown waffles?
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Absolutely! Freeze the waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. To reheat from frozen, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes.
Q3: Can I use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes?
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Yes! Sweet potatoes will give the waffles a sweeter flavor, but the texture will be slightly softer. Be sure to squeeze out the excess moisture for the best results.
Q4: What if I don’t have a waffle iron? Can I make these in a pan?
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You can make hash brown patties in a skillet! Form the mixture into patties and cook them in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.
Q5: How can I make these waffles even crispier?
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Make sure to squeeze as much moisture as possible from the potatoes, and ensure your waffle iron is hot before adding the mixture. Cooking until deeply golden brown will give you extra crispy waffles.
Q6: Can I add cheese to the waffle batter?
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Yes! Shredded cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan would be a great addition. Add about 1/2 cup of cheese to the mixture for extra flavor.
Q7: Are these waffles gluten-free?
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No, but you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for a gluten-free version.
Crispy Hash Brown Waffles
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
These Crispy Hash Brown Waffles are the perfect combination of crispy and tender, with golden brown exteriors and fluffy interiors. They make an excellent breakfast, brunch, or snack, and they’re a fun twist on classic hash browns.
Ingredients
Russet Potatoes (2 large): Russet potatoes are ideal due to their high starch content, which helps create crispy waffles.
Yellow Onion (1/4 medium): Adds a savory, aromatic depth and blends well into the potato mixture.
All-Purpose Flour (2 tablespoons): Acts as a binder and helps the mixture hold together.
Egg (1 large): Provides richness and helps bind the ingredients together.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor.
Black Pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a mild kick.
Garlic Powder (1/2 teaspoon): A touch of savory flavor that complements the potatoes.
Vegetable Oil: For greasing the waffle iron.
Optional Seasonings: Paprika, cayenne pepper, or dried herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra flavor.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Wash and peel the Russet potatoes. Grate them using a box grater or food processor to get medium shreds.
Remove excess moisture: Place the shredded potatoes in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth, gather the edges, and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. This is key to achieving crispy waffles.
Step 2: Grate the Onion
Peel and finely grate the yellow onion using a box grater or food processor. This ensures that the onion blends seamlessly into the potato mixture.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the shredded potatoes, grated onion, all-purpose flour, egg, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
Step 4: Preheat the Waffle Iron
Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure it’s nice and hot before you add the potato mixture.
Lightly grease the waffle iron with vegetable oil using a brush or cooking spray to ensure the waffles do not stick.
Step 5: Cook the Waffles
Scoop about 1/2 cup of the potato mixture and place it in the center of the preheated waffle iron.
Spread the mixture evenly across the waffle grid, almost reaching the edges, but avoid overfilling.
Close the waffle iron and cook for 5-7 minutes until the waffles are golden and crispy. The cooking time may vary depending on your waffle iron, so keep an eye on them.
Step 6: Achieve Peak Crispiness
Once cooked, carefully remove the waffles from the waffle iron and place them on a wire rack to prevent them from getting soggy. Avoid placing them on a plate as the steam can make the waffles lose their crispiness.
Step 7: Repeat and Serve
Repeat the process with the remaining potato mixture until all waffles are cooked.
Serve immediately while they are hot and crispy, topped with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, chives, or even a poached egg!
Notes
How to Serve:
Classic Breakfast: Top with a fried or poached egg, crispy bacon, or sausage. Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt and fresh chives.
Brunch Extravaganza: Create a waffle bar with avocado slices, smoked salmon, and crème fraîche. Pair with fresh fruit salad and mimosas.
Savory Lunch or Dinner: Use as a base for waffle sandwiches with fillings like pulled pork or BBQ chicken, or serve alongside a fresh salad.
Sweet and Savory Fusion: Drizzle with maple syrup, sprinkle with crumbled bacon, or serve with caramelized onions and goat cheese for a unique twist.
Additional Tips for Perfect Hash Brown Waffles:
Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze: Don’t skip the moisture removal step. The drier your potatoes, the crispier your waffles will be.
Don’t overmix: Once you add the flour and egg, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher waffles.
Preheat the waffle iron: Make sure it’s hot before adding the potato mixture to achieve a crispy texture.
Wire rack for crispiness: Let the waffles cool on a wire rack instead of stacking them, which helps preserve their crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
