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    The Purposeful Pantry » Dehydrating

    Author: Darcy Baldwin • Published: Mar 12, 2023

    Dehydrate Frozen Hash Browns

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    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!

    Package of frozen hash browns on a dehydrator tray of dried hash browns.

    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.

    1. Allow bag of shredded potatoes to thaw for about thirty minutes (optional)
    2. Spread shreds onto dehydrator trays lined with mesh, parchment/baking paper or fruit leather sheets.
    3. Dry at 125°F/52°C for 3-6 hours
    4. Test for dryness
    5. Condition
    6. Store in an airtight container for up to five years.
    The Before and After of dehydrating frozen shredded hash browns.

    Step Five:

    Don't miss this vital step! Conditioning allows you to catch any areas of moisture before they turn into mold.

    • Simply shake the jar once a day for five days to watch for signs of sticking, moisture buildup, or mold.
    • If you see sticking or moisture, put the potatoes back into the dehydrator to dry more. If you see mold, toss.
    Yield of dried shredded potatoes (hash browns).

    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

    Hashbrown breakfast casserole serving on a plate on top of the casserole platter.
    Hashbrown breakfast casserole on blue plate on a bed of dehydrated hash browns.

    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

    Can frozen hash browns patties be dehydrated?

    While they can be dehydrated, the rehydrated version doesn't perform well, and the oil content makes them unreliably shelf-stable.

    Do frozen hash browns have oil?

    Depending on the brand, some hash browns may contain oil

    Can tater tots be dehdyrated?

    While they can be dehydrated, the rehydrated version doesn't perform well, and the oil content makes them unreliably shelf-stable.

    Package of frozen hash browns on a dehydrator tray of dried hash browns.

    Dehydrate Frozen Hash Browns

    Dehydrating hash browns is super easy and will help you stock your pantry quickly!
    Print PIN THIS! Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Drying Time: 5 hours
    Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 172kcal
    Author: Darcy Baldwin

    Equipment

    • Dehydrator

    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.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 599mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only. Nutrient information for dehydrated foods is based on fresh. Use ¼ of the servicing size for the same nutrient information. Thus 1 Cup of fresh fruit has the same sugars as ¼ dried.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @thepurposefulpantry or tag #thepurposefulpantry!

    ©ThePurposefulPantry. Photographs and content are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe's link is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

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    Darcy Baldwin of The Purposeful Pantry.

    Howdy! I'm Darcy! I've spent twenty years learning how to stretch our budget and stock our family's pantry by dehydrating food. You can do it, too!

    Learn how I can help you →

    You can get my new book, Dehydrating Basics & Journal to help you get started on your dehydrating journey!

    Dehydrating Basics & Journal for Beginners and Beyond front cover
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