Potato pancakes and hash browns are two popular potato breakfast dishes that are quite similar. Both are made primarily from shredded or grated potatoes which are then fried until crispy on the outside. This leads many people to wonder – are potato pancakes and hash browns actually the same thing? Or are there differences that set them apart?
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at potato pancakes and hash browns, including their ingredients, cooking methods, serving styles, origins and more. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how these potato breakfast foods are related as well as how they differ.
Ingredients
The primary ingredient in both potato pancakes and hash browns is, unsurprisingly, potatoes. However, the type of potato and exact prep can vary.
Potato Pancake Ingredients
Traditional potato pancakes are made with starchy potatoes like russets or Yukon Golds. The potatoes are peeled, shredded and then squeezed of excess moisture. In addition to potatoes, potato pancakes can contain:
- Onion – Grated onion is often added for flavor and moisture.
- Eggs – Eggs help bind the pancakes together.
- Flour – A small amount of flour is sometimes used to aid binding and crisping.
- Salt and pepper – For seasoning.
- Herbs and spices – Such as parsley, chives, garlic powder, paprika, etc.
Hash Brown Ingredients
Hash browns are most often made with starchy russet potatoes. The potatoes are peeled and grated or shredded. Hash browns typically don’t contain as many extra ingredients as potato pancakes, but basic additions can include:
- Onion – Some recipes call for grated onion.
- Salt and pepper
- Oil or butter – Added for frying.
So in summary, both dishes rely on shredded potatoes, but potato pancakes tend to have more binders, seasonings and mix-ins than hash browns.
Cooking Method
The cooking method is another key difference between potato pancakes and hash browns.
Potato Pancake Cooking Method
After shredding the potatoes and mixing in any extra ingredients, the potato mixture is formed into patties or pancakes. These patties are then fried on both sides until golden brown and crispy. Potato pancakes can be pan-fried or deep-fried. They can also be baked but this isn’t as common.
Hash Brown Cooking Method
Unlike formed potato pancakes, hash browns are cooked loose, without being shaped into patties first. The grated raw potatoes are placed directly into hot oil in a pan and pressed down to form a flat cake. As the bottom crisps up, the top is flipped over to cook and brown the other side.
So in summary:
- Potato pancakes are shaped into patties before frying.
- Hash browns are fried loose in a pan and pressed into a patty as they cook.
Serving Style
Potato pancakes and hash browns also differ in their traditional serving styles:
Serving Potato Pancakes
Potato pancakes are usually served as a plated breakfast, lunch or dinner. A few (2-3) large potato pancakes are neatly arranged on a plate, often stacked. They can be served alone or with sides like applesauce, sour cream, sausage, eggs or smoked salmon.
Some key points about serving potato pancakes:
- Plated meal
- 2-3 pancakes
- Often stacked
- Served with condiments or sides
Serving Hash Browns
Hash browns are more commonly served as a side dish or base for a cooked breakfast. A large portion of shredded hash browns are piled on a plate. The hash browns form a bed or nest for meat, eggs, or other breakfast items to rest on top.
Some key points about serving hash browns:
- Side dish
- Large portion
- Usually topped or mixed with other breakfast items
So in summary, potato pancakes are the main event while hash browns play a supporting role.
Origin
The different traditional origins of each dish also set them apart:
Potato Pancake Origin
Potato pancakes have European origins. They were created as a dish to use up leftover mashed potatoes but soon became popular in their own right. Some cultures with well-known potato pancake dishes include:
- Germany – Kartoffelpuffer
- Eastern Europe – Latkes, placki
- Switzerland – Rösti
- Sweden – Raggmunk
So potato pancakes trace back to old world, European cuisine.
Hash Brown Origin
Hash browns were invented more recently in the United States. The semi-official history is that hash browns were first served at the Wade’s Restaurant in New York in the early 1900s. Their creation is credited to the restaurant’s founder, George Crum.
So in summary:
- Potato pancakes – European
- Hash browns – American
This difference in origin contributes to their status as distinct dishes today.
Key Differences
To summarize the main differences:
| Factor | Potato Pancakes | Hash Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Potatoes, onion, eggs, flour, seasonings | Potatoes, salt, pepper, oil |
| Prep Method | Shredded potatoes formed into patties or pancakes | Shredded potatoes pressed into a pan loose |
| Cooking Method | Fried on both sides | Fried loose and flipped |
| Serving Style | Plated meal with 2-3 pancakes, often stacked | Side dish or base for other breakfast items |
| Origin | Various European cuisines | United States |
Similarities
Despite these differences, potato pancakes and hash browns do share some key traits:
- Primary ingredient is potatoes
- Potatoes are shredded or grated
- Fried until browned and crispy
- Served hot as part of breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner
Their common potato composition and cooking method result in a similar crispy, outside and fluffy, tender inside texture when cooked.
Conclusion
So in the end, are potato pancakes and hash browns the same thing? While they share some core traits, they do have distinct differences that set them apart as individual dishes.
Key differences include more binders and seasonings in potato pancakes, different cooking methods, distinct serving styles and different cultural origins. Potato pancakes originated as their own dish in Europe while hash browns were later invented as an American diner side.
These differences mean that potato pancakes and hash browns cannot be considered identical. However, their similarities, especially in main ingredients and texture, mean they are variations on a theme. You could think of hash browns as a simpler, Americanized version of the potato pancake.
So while not exactly the same thing, potato pancakes and hash browns are close cousins from the same fried potato family. Both can make for a tasty and comforting start to your day.