How to Reheat Hash Browns

Hash browns are a classic addition to any breakfast spread.

They can be made from scratch or purchased as frozen patties or shreds.

However, sometimes we don’t finish our hash browns and want to save them for later.

The next day, reheating them can be tricky – you don’t want them to be soggy or lose their crispy texture.

In this post, we’ll share seven different techniques for reheating hash browns using a microwave, oven, stovetop, air fryer, toaster oven, broiler and slow cooker.

We’ll also discuss how to thaw frozen hash browns properly and the ideal cooking temperature you should aim for.

Is It Safe To Reheat Hash Browns?

Firstly, let’s address safety concerns when reheating leftover breakfast items including hash browns.

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), food that has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours should not be consumed because bacteria growth can cause foodborne illnesses.

So if your leftover hash browns have been sitting out on the counter for an extended period of time after being cooked or taken out of the refrigerator due to a power outage or malfunctioning fridge- discard it immediately.

Additionally, it’s important to reheat leftovers at the correct temperature 165℉ (74℃) before consuming since a lower heat might not kill all bacteria growth that occurred in between storage periods.

Next up are methods for reheating those delicious golden brown beauties called hash browns:

How to Reheat Hash Browns in the Microwave

The most common method for reheating hash browns is by popping them into the microwave since it’s quick and simple.

1. Place your pre-cooked leftovers in a microwave-safe container.
2. Cover with either another lid or damp paper towel so there is moisture when heating.
3. Place the container in the microwave and start with a 30-second interval while figuring out the perfect cooking time for your microwave model.
4. Keep checking to see whether they have heated up evenly in between every 30 seconds or so.
5. Once fully heated, remove and let it sit for a minute or so before serving.

The result might not be as crispy as freshly cooked hash browns, but this method gets the job done.

How to Reheat Hash Browns in a Skillet

If you’re looking for more of a restaurant-style taste to hold onto that crispy texture from the fridge, try reheating them on a stovetop skillet.

1. Warm your skillet on medium heat-high heat without any oil.
2. Retrieve your pre-cooked hash browns from the refrigerator (or freezer if they are frozen hash browns) allowing them to come towards room temperature for around 20-30 minutes or defrost it using one of our thawing techniques outlined in this guide.
3. Add two tablespoons of oil into the skillet when hot enough then place your hash browns into it, spreading them out evenly across its surface area with a spatula while seasoning with salt and pepper or any other seasoned variation you prefer.
4. Wait until you hear that satisfying sizzle sound that tells you the potatoes are cooking up brown and keep flipping at regular intervals using tongs so both sides cook separately until golden brown remastered to match their originality.

How to Reheat Hash Browns by Searing

Another technique that can aid in maintaining or improving texture is searing.

1. Take out of yet again pre-cooked leftover hash browns from refrigerator/freezer within 20-30 minutes before reheating
2. In deep frying pan/oven-proof skillet add two spoonfuls of oil at medium-high flames and wait
3. Afterward evenly distributed potato shreds/patties across the pan and seasoned as desired.
4. Don’t touch for searing or browning texture on both sides, be patient! After it’s looking golden brown, flip over the other side slightly elevated in heat for around 2-3 minutes more!

How to Reheat Hash Browns in an Air Fryer

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, providing another alternative method of reheating any food distinctly (potentially healthier too!).

1. Begin by preheating your air fryer following manufacture directions.
2. Add half a tablespoon of oil onto hash browns before placing them into basket without overcrowding them is essential
3. Lastly, set your air fryer temperature at 400℉ (204℃) and cook for eight to ten minutes or might need extension depending on the frequency that you desire.

The result of crispy texture match with originality might be surprising!

How to Reheat Hash Browns Using a Toaster Oven

A toaster oven can present another alternative that’s very quick to heat and potentially preserve consistency and flavor of hash browns.

1. Retrieve pre-cooked leftover hash browns from refrigerator/freezer within 20-30 minutes prior reheating process
2. Preheat your toaster oven to 350℉(177℃)
3. Grease sheet pan with oil then spread-out evenly across its surface area with spatula while seasoning using salt / pepper or any other seasoning variation you prefer.
4. Place the sheet pan into the toaster oven anywhere between seven-nine minutes based on how dark you need it to be served (note make sure they are heated evenly throughoutthe heating process)

This method would mirror skillet cooking but has less waiting periods if done correctly!

How to Reheat Hash Browns in a Broiler

Although this may seem like a busy restaurant kitchen technique, broiling can present a great option reheating multiple servings- without losing its crispy texture.

1. Set oven broiler at around 400 ℉
2. Retrieve pre-cooked hash browns from refrigerator/freezer within 20-30 minutes before reheating process
3. Grease up sheet pan with olive oil or another oil of choice before pouring the evenly distributed potatoes shreds.
4. Place under broiler and wait till ready, turning them once halfway for both sides to become golden brown.

How to Reheat Hash Browns in a Slow Cooker

If you’re hosting brunch or breakfast with a lot of guests then you might want larger amounts of hash browns right reheated – using your slow cooker can be ideal for this purpose.

1. Preheat slow cooker on low.
2. Retrieve pre-cooked leftovers hash browns and defrost underlying any thawing technique from this post that works well.
3. Grease slow cooker with cooking spray or oil then place the potatoes inside while sprinkling some seasoning variation as desired.
4. Cook it for around two hours with the lid set and remain closed until checking if cooked evenly- Season if needed based on your preferences!

Thawing Technique

Ideally, you won’t have to deal with frozen hash browns when wanting to save them for later but sometimes might need assistance in how they are thawed properly before reheating process begins.

Thaw frozen shredded/patties by leaving packages overnight inside refrigerator section without it being open (but make sure they are no longer than by date).

As an alternative defrosting option, wrapped unopened package into airtight plastic wrap immersed submerged into cold water approximately half an hour or until softened enough that there is no visible ice covering remaining.

Cooking Temperature

Finally, If it’s not already made clear during detailed intructions stated above – the optimal temperature utilizing most reheating methods would be 165℉ (74℃).

Seasoning Variations

Season how you prefer! Salt, pepper, hot sauce, Worcestershire Sauce – they are all great seasoning variations that can take your hash brown leftovers to the next level.

In conclusion, reheating leftover hash browns doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Try out any or combination of the above techniques using your equipment at home while attaining crispy texture and flavorsome taste just like when freshly made!