Copycat Dunkin' Donuts Hash Browns Recipe

When you go to Dunkin' Donuts, if all you get is a donut or two (or half dozen and some Munchkins just for kicks), then with all due respect, you're doing it wrong. There's a reason Dunkin' Donuts has officially dropped the "Donuts" part of the name and is now officially known simply as "Dunkin'," and it's because they have so much more to offer. Like surprisingly good coffee, bagels, lots of breakfast sandwich options, and of course, their hash browns, which make the perfect snack or side dish when paired with one of the aforementioned breakfast items to create a great meal.

Not in the mood to head to Dunkin'? Just make some copycat hash browns yourself. There's a very good chance you already have all of the ingredients needed to make this recipe in your kitchen already, so you likely won't have to head to a the grocery store, either.  And once you've made them, if you're looking for some pairing ideas, try "scrambled eggs with ham or fried eggs and bacon," says chef and recipe developer Carlos Leo of Spoonabilities. Or "an egg sandwich, frittata, or any kind of breakfast," really. 

Just be ready to eat or share as many as you cook shortly after they're done, because as Leo says: "They're not good after [getting] cold or after being in the refrigerator. I don't recommend re-heating — it's similar to French fries after they get cold, just not the same."

Gather your ingredients for Dunkin' Donuts Hash Browns copycats

Not surprisingly, the potato is the star of this recipe. Get about the biggest russet potato you can find, or use 2 if they're medium-sized or even 3 smaller potatoes — just shorten the boil time a bit. (And yes, non-russets are fine if need be, like a yellow or red potato. Just make sure you compensate with an even shorter boiling.)

You'll also need an egg white, dried parsley, corn flour or fine cornmeal, sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and oil for brushing (or frying if using that method). And some ketchup for dipping never hurts here.

Partially boil and then grate and chop the potato

Fill a saucepan with enough water to submerge the potato (but don't put it in just yet). Then start to heat it on high and, as soon as you do that, put the potato into the water. When the water starts boiling, set a timer for 8 minutes — you just need to parboil (half-cook) the potato, for the record.

After the 8 minutes pass, remove the potato from the water and set it down to cool a bit. Then, when the potato is cool enough to handle, peel and grate it (use the large holes on a box grater). Finally, with a large chef's knife, roughly chop the grated pieces potato into smaller bits.

Blend ingredients, then cut out hash brown rounds

In a medium bowl, add the grated potato, dried parsley, sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, egg white, and corn flour (or fine cornmeal) and mix to combine.

Next, lay out a piece of parchment paper on a flat surface, then place the potato mixture on the parchment paper and compact the mixture by tapping it down with your palms, flattening it out to about 1/2 inch in height all over.

Now, using a 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut out as many small rounds as you can (a shot glass works in a pinch), then re-combine the extra, flatten it again, and cut out more discs.

Three options for cooking your Dunkin' Donuts copy cat hash browns

OK, now for plan A, B, or C.

Plan A is the air fryer method. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then spray the air fryer wire rack with oil and place the mini hash browns on it so they don't touch each other, and brush the tops of the hash browns with some oil. Cook them in the air fryer for 18 minutes.

Plan B is the traditional frying pan method. For this approach, heat enough vegetable oil in a frying pan so that the hash browns will be half-submerged while cooking (about 1/4 cup). When the oil is hot, fry for 2 minutes or until the sides begin to brown, then flip them over and cook the other side for 2 more minutes or until golden and crispy. Remove the hash browns from pan, and drain on paper towels. 

Plan C is the regular oven method, which you should also set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the hash browns for 20 minutes, flipping them once. "And if they're not crispy enough," says Leo, "use the broiler for a couple of minutes."

For all three methods, when done, taste one or two and sprinkle on more salt if needed. And then serve them immediately with ketchup and with whatever sounds great.

Copycat Dunkin' Donuts Hash Browns Recipe
5 from 78 ratings
These Dunkin' Donuts copycat hash browns make the perfect side dish to any breakfast, and can be made from the comfort of your own home.
Prep Time
15
minutes
Cook Time
25
minutes
Servings
4
Servings
Dunkin' Donuts hash browns copycats displayed on counter
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1 large russet potato
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 teaspoons corn flour or fine cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for air fryer or oven method, ¼ cup oil for pan frying
Directions
  1. In a saucepan with water, bring the whole potato to a boil. When the water starts boiling, set a timer for 8 minutes, as you need only parboil (half-cook) it.
  2. When the potato is cool enough to handle, peel and grate it, using the large holes on a box grater.
  3. With a large chef's knife, roughly chop the large grated bits down smaller.
  4. In a medium bowl, add the grated and chopped potato, dried parsley, sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, egg white, and corn flour and mix to combine.
  5. Place parchment paper on flat surface, then place the potato mixture on the parchment paper and compact the mixture by tapping down until it flattens to about ½ inch in height.
  6. Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut out small rounds (re-form a larger piece of potato mixture and keep cutting discs when needed).
  7. To cook in the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray the air fryer wire rack with oil, then place in the mini hash browns so they don't touch each other. Coat the top of the hash browns with some oil, then cook for 18 minutes. To cook in a traditional frying pan: Heat frying pan with enough oil that the hash browns will be half-submerged (about ¼ cup), and when the oil is hot, fry for 2 minutes or until the sides begin to brown, then flip them over and cook the other side for 2 more minutes or until golden and crispy. Remove from pan, and drain on paper towels. To cook in an oven: Preheat to 400º, lightly coat hash browns with oil, then bake for 20 minutes, flipping once.
  8. Taste and sprinkle on more salt if needed. Serve immediately with ketchup.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 117
Total Fat 3.6 g
Saturated Fat 0.3 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Total Carbohydrates 18.8 g
Dietary Fiber 1.4 g
Total Sugars 0.7 g
Sodium 134.1 mg
Protein 3.0 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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