A delicious breakfast includes eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, and hash browns. Potatoes sprinkled in salt and ketchup, they can be shredded or cubes sautéed in oil to a crispy brown. They can be plain or with onions, spices, meat, or eggs added.
Yes, hash brown potatoes are considered gluten-free. However, it is important to check the ingredients as flour is sometimes used for coating hash browns. Contaminants from other foods that are processed in the same plant can also add small amounts of gluten. The best gluten free and healthier alternative is Dr. Praeger’s Sweet Potato Hash Browns.
We are going to explore the origins of hash browns as a popular breakfast food, and then touch on several brands that are gluten-free and compare them to a few that are not. You’ll be able to decide for yourself which brand works best for your diet and lifestyle.
Contents
- History of Hash Browns
- Common Ingredients in Hash Browns
- Popular Hash Browns Brands
- Cascadian Farms Hash Browns
- Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns
- Idahoan Fresh Cut Premium Hash Browns
- Hungry Jack Premium Hash Brown Potatoes
- Ore Ida Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes
- Ore Ida Golden Hash Brown Patties
- McDonald’s Hash Browns
- Alexia Organic Hashed Browns Seasoned
- Hamburger Helper Cheesy Hash Browns
- Alternatives to Traditional Hash Browns
- Related Questions
History of Hash Browns
Maria Parloa was an American food author. A recipe for hash brown first appears in her 1887 Kitchen Companion book. Soon after, in the 1890s, hash browns appeared on the breakfast menu of diners in New York City. Fast forward to the 1980s, McDonald’s and Burger King introduced them to their breakfast menu.
Originally called “hashed” brown potatoes, the name was shorted to “hash” brown potatoes that we used today. “Hash” literally means to hack or chop.
Hash browns are also sometimes called country-fried potatoes. They can be cubed, shredded, or in patties. When formed into patties, often a binder is added. Check that binder to make sure that the potatoes are still gluten-free.
Hash brown potatoes are sold in the refrigerated section of your supermarket, in the frozen foods section, and also as a dry good in dehydrated form. To ultimately control the ingredients, pick up a bag of potatoes to shred fresh and choose an oil to fry them in. This way you can control the amount of seasonings and avoid additives and preservatives.
Common Ingredients in Hash Browns
- Potatoes: the best types of potato for making hash browns are generally a russet potato. Many brands use Idaho Potatoes as they are the country’s best. You can also use Yukon golds for a buttery interior. As you’ll see in the alternatives, sweet potatoes are also an option.
- Dextrose: this is a simple sugar derived from corn. It’s added to hash brown potatoes for taste.
- Disodium Pyrophosphate: this is added as a preservative and to keep the potatoes white. Potato starches react with air and turn brown easily. Adding this gives the potatoes a more appealing color.
- Potassium Sorbate: this ingredient is added as a preservative to extend the shelf life of the packaged hash browns. It stops mold, yeast, and fungi growth. It is an odorless and tasteless salt.
- Sodium Bisulfite: this is also a preservative.
- Spices: Sometimes onion, spices, salt, and other flavors are added to hash browns.
Popular Hash Browns Brands
Cascadian Farms Hash Browns
With one ingredient, it can’t get any easier or healthier, even if you shredded potatoes yourself.
Ingredients:
- Organic Potatoes
Nutrition Facts (per ¾ cup):
- 50 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 15mg Sodium
- 330mg Potassium
- 12g Carbohydrates (less than 1g Dietary Fiber)
- 1g Protein
Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns
Simply Potatoes brand is found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. They are designed to be used within several days. The potato recipe is simple with potatoes and some preservatives added for longer shelf life.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Dextrose
- Disodium Pyrophosphate
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Bisulfite
Nutrition Facts (per 2/3 cup):
- 70 calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 55mg Sodium
- 15g Total Carbohydrates (2g Dietary Fiber)
- 2g Protein
- 4mg Calcium
- .3mg Iron
- 396mg Potassium
Idahoan Fresh Cut Premium Hash Browns
Idahoan products are found in the dry goods section of your grocery store. They need to be rehydrated before cooking, but once they are they cook up in as little as 10 minutes. They have a few more ingredients added in their processing preparation. They are still naturally gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Idaho Potatoes
- Sunflower Oil
- Salt
- Dextrose
- Onion Powder
- Monoglycerides
- Calcium Stearoyl Lactylate
- Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate
- Sodium Bisulfite
Nutrition Facts (per 1/3 cup dry):
- 60 calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 95mg Sodium
- 13g Carbohydrates (2g Dietary Fiber)
- 1g Protein
- 11mg Calcium
- 186mg Potassium
Hungry Jack Premium Hash Brown Potatoes
Hungry Jack potatoes are also dehydrated. The package lists them as gluten-free. BHT is listed as an ingredient, which stands for butylated hydroxytoluene. It’s used to prevent oxidation (the potatoes turning brown). The FDA considers this to be “generally recognized as safe” allowing small amounts to be added to foods. This has been a controversial subject that needs more research.
Ingredients:
- Idaho Potatoes (dry)
- Salt
- Dextrose
- Sodium Bisulfite
- BHT
Nutrition Facts (per 1/3 cup dry):
- 80 calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 340mg Sodium
- 135mg Potassium
- 17g Total Carbohydrates (1g Dietary Fiber, 1g Sugar)
- 2g Protein
Ore Ida Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes
Ore Ida potato products are found in the frozen food section. Ore Ida Diced Hash Brown Potatoes have the same ingredients and nutrition, just in diced squares instead of shredded.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Dextrose
- Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate
Nutrition Facts (per 1 1/4 cup):
- 60 calories
- 0g Total Fat
- 30mg Sodium
- 13g Total Carbohydrates (2g Dietary Fiber, 1g Sugar)
- 1g Protein
Ore Ida Golden Hash Brown Patties
Ore Ida makes a frozen hash brown patty as well.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Vegetable Oil (Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, and/or Corn)
- Salt
- Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate
- Dehydrated Onion
- Dextrose
Nutrition Facts (per patty):
- 120 Calories
- 8g Total Fat (1g Saturated)
- 320mg Sodium
- 10g Total Carbohydrates (1g Dietary Fiber)
- 1g Protein
- 20% recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C
- 2% recommended daily allowance of Iron
McDonald’s Hash Browns
Here is information on your drive-through hash brown potatoes. McDonald’s Hash Browns are not gluten-free as they contain wheat and milk.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor (Wheat and Milk Derivatives))
- Salt
- Corn Flour
- Dehydrated Potato
- Dextrose
- Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate
- Extractives of Black Pepper
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- 150 Calories
- 9g Total Fat (1.5g Saturated)
- 320mg Sodium
- 16g Carbohydrates (1g Dietary Fiber)
- 1g Protein
Alexia Organic Hashed Browns Seasoned
This brand is made with Yukon Gold Potatoes. USDA Organic and Non-GMO. Found in the frozen food section of health stores. There are no preservatives or artificial colors.
Ingredients:
- Organic Potatoes
- Organic Seasoning
- Sea Salt
- Organic Dehydrated Onion
- Organic Dehydrated Garlic
- Organic White Pepper
- Organic Autolyzed Yeast Extract
- Organic Sunflower Oil
Nutrition Facts (per 2/3 cup):
- 60 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 310mg Sodium
- 13g Total Carbohydrates (2g Dietary Fiber, less than 1g Total Sugars)
- 2g Protein
- .22mg Iron
- 310mg Potassium
Hamburger Helper Cheesy Hash Browns
Hash browns are not just for breakfast. These are not gluten-free. The nutrition information and ingredients are just what’s in the box. To make the recipe, you would include salt, butter, milk, and ground meat.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Maltodextrin
- Modified Whey
- Modified Corn Starch
- Salt
- Cheddar Cheese
- Milk
- Cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Whey
- Vegetable Oil (Canola, Soybean, and/or Sunflower Oil)
- Citric Acid
- Onion
- Blue Cheese
- Milk
- Salt
- Cultures
- Enzymes
- Natural Flavor
- Yeast Extract
- Coconut Oil
- Color (yellow lakes 5 & 6, yellow 5 & 6, annatto extract)
- Buttermilk
- Butter (Cream, Salt)
- Sugar
- Sodium Phosphate
- Enzyme Modified Blue Cheese
- Milk
- Cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Enzyme Modified Cheddar Cheese
- Milk
- Cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Sodium Bisulfite
- Silicon Dioxide
Nutrition (per 1/2 cup mix):
- 120 calories
- 280mg Sodium
- 27g Total Carbohydrates (2g Dietary Fiber, 2g Sugar)
- 1g Protein
- 120mg Potassium
Alternatives to Traditional Hash Browns
Dr. Praeger’s Sweet Potato Hash Browns
Here’s a yummy alternative to regular hash browns that uses sweet potatoes. They also make Four Potato Hash Browns and Southwest Hash Browns.
Ingredients:
- Sweet Potatoes
- Potato Flakes
- Expeller Pressed Canola Oil
- Light Brown Sugar
- Sugar
- Molasses
- Arrowroot Powder
- Flaxseed Meal
- Sea Salt
Nutrition (per 3 hash browns):
- 170 Calories
- 7g Total Fat (1g Saturated)
- 190mg Sodium
- 25g Total Carbohydrates (1g Dietary Fiber, 14g Total Sugars, 4g Added Sugars)
- 30mg Calcium
- .7mg Iron
- 260mg Potassium
Strong Roots Cauliflower Hash Browns
These vegan hash browns are made in a factor that handles gluten.
Ingredients:
- Cauliflowers
- Potatoes
- Water
- Potato Flakes
- Cornstarch
- Soybean Oil
- Onion
- Salt
- Pepper
Nutrition (per 2 hash browns):
- 160 Calories
- 9g Total Fat (1g Saturated)
- 260mg Sodium
- 19g Total Carbohydrates (2g Dietary Fiber, 0g Sugar)
- 2g Protein
Related Questions
Are Hash Browns Keto Friendly?
No, traditional hash browns are not keto-friendly as potatoes have a lot of carbs. If you are on a keto diet, try making cauliflower hash browns instead. I don’t see any on the market, but there are plenty of recipes to try.
What type of Oil should I use to fry my Hash Browns?
Often, butter is used, but if you are on a vegan diet, try olive or vegetable oil. They can also be fried without oil in a non-stick pan.
Are Hash Browns Healthy?
It depends on your preparation. If you choose a brand with potatoes and little to no other ingredients and fry them without oil, they are a great side dish. If you prepare them with Hamburger Helper or with a lot of oils, then not so much.