Potatoes, hash brown, home-prepared
Whole food · Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Crispy, golden-brown shredded potatoes pan-fried until the edges are delightfully crunchy while the interior stays tender and fluffy. Home-prepared hash browns offer a satisfying textural contrast with a rich, buttery flavor from the cooking fat. Nutritionally, they are a moderate-energy carbohydrate source with a notable fat content from the oil or butter used in frying.
Calorie split: 5% protein · 53% carbs · 43% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for the irresistible combination of a shatteringly crisp exterior and a soft, steamy interior, often enhanced with onions or seasonings. They are a beloved, versatile staple of breakfast culture, serving as a hearty base for eggs or a comforting side dish.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat content from frying can make them calorie-dense, and the refined carbohydrate can cause blood-sugar spikes. To counteract this, pair with protein (like eggs) or healthy fats (avocado) to slow digestion, and consider using a non-stick pan with less oil or an air fryer for a lighter version.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from complex carbohydrates
- Source of dietary fiber, aiding digestion
- Contains potassium, supporting fluid balance
- Offers vitamin B6, important for metabolism
- Can be a base for adding other nutrient-dense toppings
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'hash' comes from the French 'hacher,' meaning to chop, and hash browns as a breakfast item were popularized in American diners in the early 20th century.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 47.3 g |
| Energy | 265 kcal |
| Energy | 1109 kj |
| Protein | 3.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 12.5 g |
| Ash | 2.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 35.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g |
| Sucrose | 0.33 g |
| Glucose | 0.64 g |
| Fructose | 0.52 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 14.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.55 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 35.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 70.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 576 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 342 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.47 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.29 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.25 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.50 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 13.0 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.17 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.03 mg |
| Niacin | 2.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.89 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.47 mg |
| Folate, total | 16.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 16.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 16.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 23.2 mg |
| Betaine | 0.30 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 5.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 16.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.62 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.34 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Phytosterols | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.11 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.12 g |
| Leucine | 0.18 g |
| Lysine | 0.18 g |
| Methionine | 0.05 g |
| Cystine | 0.04 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.13 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.11 g |
| Valine | 0.17 g |
| Arginine | 0.14 g |
| Histidine | 0.07 g |
| Alanine | 0.09 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.73 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.50 g |
| Glycine | 0.09 g |
| Proline | 0.11 g |
| Serine | 0.13 g |
FAQ
How do I get my hash browns extra crispy?
Squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the shredded potatoes using a clean towel or cheesecloth. Use a hot skillet with enough oil or butter, and don't stir them too soon—let a golden crust form before flipping.
Are hash browns gluten-free?
Potatoes are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contamination can occur if prepared in a shared fryer or with utensils that also handle wheat products. Always check for added seasonings or breading.
What's the difference between hash browns and home fries?
Hash browns are typically made from shredded or riced potatoes, while home fries are made from diced or cubed potatoes. Both are fried, but the texture differs: hash browns are crispier throughout, while home fries have a crispy exterior with a softer, chunkier interior.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.65 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 3.2 g fiber · 1.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.59 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.