Dehydrate Frozen Hash Browns
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Dehydrate frozen hash browns (shredded potatoes) to save a ton of freezer space, make them shelf-stable, and have instant potatoes for breakfast hash browns or casseroles whenever you need them!
Drying frozen has browns (aka shredded potatoes) seems odd to dehydrate, but the benefits can make pantry storage quick and easy!
- Saves a ton of space in your freezer;
- Makes camping meals easier to pack;
- Is much less expensive than purchasing commercially dried hash browns, even including electric costs.
How to Dehydrate Frozen Hash Browns
This is one of the easiest dehydrating projects for beginners. While dehydrating fresh potatoes can be done, it can be time-consuming depending on the process. Baking or boiling first (instead of shredding and blanching) can help.
- Allow bag of shredded potatoes to thaw for about thirty minutes (optional)
- Spread shreds onto dehydrator trays lined with mesh, parchment/baking paper or fruit leather sheets.
- Dry at 125°F/52°C for 3-6 hours.
- Test for dryness.
- Condition.
- Store in an airtight container for up to five years.
- Place dried food into a jar to allow movement. Do not add moisture absorbers or any other desiccant.
- Shake once a day for 5-7 days.
- Look for signs of sticking, clumping, or moisture buildup.
- If you have clumping or sticking to the side of a jar, if it is removed with a gentle shake, it is fine.
- If it takes significant shaking to remove it or break it up, place back into the dehydrator to dry more.
- If you see mold of any kind, throw food away and sanitize the jar.
- Look for signs of sticking, clumping, or moisture buildup.
- Once complete, store in an airtight container in a dark, cool, dry place if possible.
Yield
- 50% volume loss
- 2.8 to .8 ounces weight
Rehydrating
Rehydrating hash browns is as easy as soaking in enough water to just cover the potatoes. I found fifteen minutes was more than sufficient.
If your recipe calls for you to use fresh hash browns that have been squeezed of all moisture, follow that guideline once your shredded potatoes are rehydrated.
In some cases, you can actually cooked straight from the dried state. If your recipe has a lot of liquid in it already, you can let it rehydrate your potatoes (the hash brown breakfast casserole I make can be made the night before to soak), or add a bit more liquid to ensure it has enough liquid.
Darcy’s Tips
- Check the ingredients list on your hashbrowns. Some brands have oil added, which will be fine, but may make shelf-stable storage for the long-term less reliable. Rancidity is an issue, but you’ll know it if it happens.
- Do this same process with O’Brien Potatoes (potatoes, onions, and peppers), and use for breakfast fair or put them into soups!
- While I use a Cosori dehydrator, any dehydrator you have will work! If you need ideas on what to purchase, I can help you decide which dehydrator is best for you.
Uses
Drying frozen hash browns is the best way to save a ton of freezer space. They work just like frozen with a bit of time to rehydrate, and you can make
- Breakfast hash browns
- Hash Brown Casserole
- Hash Brown Waffles
- Potato Soup
Frequently Asked Questions
While they can be dehydrated, the rehydrated version doesn’t perform well, and the oil content makes them unreliably shelf-stable.
Depending on the brand, some hash browns may contain oil
While they can be dehydrated, the rehydrated version doesn’t perform well, and the oil content makes them unreliably shelf-stable.
Dehydrate Frozen Hash Browns
Equipment
Ingredients
- Bag of frozen hash browns
Instructions
- Allow bag of shredded potatoes to thaw for about thirty minutes (optional)
- Spread shreds onto dehydrator trays lined with mesh, parchment/baking paper or fruit leather sheets.
- Dry at 125°F/52°C for 3-6 hours
- Test for dryness
- Condition
- Store in an airtight container for up to five years.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only. Nutrient information for dehydrated foods is based on fresh. Use 1/4 of the servicing size for the same nutrient information. Thus 1 Cup of fresh fruit has the same sugars as 1/4 dried.
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After I go through the conditioning process, can I vacuum seal them instead of storing in canning jars? Most commonly available where I shop is Ore Ida brand but they have oil in them. Any idea of brands that don’t have oil in the ingredients?
Vacuum sealing them in food storage bags? Sure – but know that they may have sharp enough edges to cause micropunctures in the bags. Mylar will work better than plastic food storage bags. You’ll have to check your area to see which brands. The one I use does contain oil, but they last for a long time without any issue. If you want them for 2+ years storage, check your local stores. You can also purchase pre-dried shreds, too.
Thank you.
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