Quick Answer
Yes, you can substitute french fries for hash browns in many recipes. French fries and hash browns are both made from potatoes, so they can work as substitutes for each other in some cases. However, there are a few differences to keep in mind when swapping french fries for hash browns:
- French fries tend to be thinner and crispier than hash browns.
- Hash browns often have diced or shredded potatoes, while french fries use potato batons/sticks.
- French fries are usually deep fried, whereas hash browns can be pan-fried or baked.
- Hash browns may be more absorbent for soaking up flavors from other ingredients.
- The texture and mouthfeel will be somewhat different between french fries and hash browns.
Adjusting cooking times and methods can help account for these differences. Overall, french fries can work in place of hash browns in most recipes, though the final dish may end up with slightly different textures and flavors.
Examining the Differences Between French Fries and Hash Browns
French fries and hash browns are both beloved potato side dishes, but they have some distinct differences that impact their substitution potential. Here’s a closer look at how these potato preparations differ:
Potato Type
French fries are classically made from russet potatoes, which are starchy, fluffy potatoes that get crispy and golden when fried. Hash browns are more flexible – they can use russet potatoes, but also work well with waxy potato varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Waxy spuds hold their shape better when shredded or diced.
Potato Preparation
French fries are made from potato planks or batons that are cut into long, thick sticks. Hash browns use grated or diced potato pieces that result in a shredded texture. The cuts impact the final moisture, crispiness, and surface area for getting browned and crispy.
Cooking Method
Authentic french fries are deep fried twice – once at a lower temperature, then again at a higher temperature for that iconic outer crunch. Hash browns can be deep fried, but are often pan-fried or baked in the oven. Pan frying or baking gives a crusty exterior with a fluffier interior.
Flavor Profile
Traditional french fries tend to be simpler, gaining flavor from the potato itself, hot oil, and salt. Hash browns are more of a blank canvas, intended to soak up and complement the other ingredients they are served with. Herbs, spices, onions, peppers and more can be mixed into hash browns.
Texture
The outer crispiness and inner fluffy potato contrasts make both fries and hash browns appealing. However, french fries often have a slender, thicker, substantial crisp shell. Hash browns have a shredded texture with a delicate crust and soft potato center.
Tips for Substituting French Fries for Hash Browns
If you want to swap french fries for hash browns, here are some tips to modify the recipe and get optimal results:
- Use french-fry cut potatoes instead of shredding or dicing.
- Parboil the fries briefly before pan frying or baking to soften them.
- Toss the fries in cornstarch or potato starch to get crispy exteriors.
- Increase oven temperature slightly if baking to achieve crispiness.
- Use a bit more oil when pan frying to compensate for deep frying.
- Add any herbs or seasonings mixed into the hash browns directly to the fries.
- Adjust cooking times, as fries may take longer than hash browns to reach doneness.
With a few tweaks to the cutting, cooking method, and seasoning, you can successfully use french fries in hash brown recipes. The potato flavor will still shine through!
Dishes That Work Well with French Fries Instead of Hash Browns
Many classic American breakfast and brunch foods pair perfectly with either french fries or hash browns. Here are some great options for substituting in fries:
Breakfast Bowls
Loaded breakfast bowls with eggs, meats, vegetables, and starch are a perfect place to substitute french fries for hash browns. The mix of ingredients will blend well with the fry texture.
Skillets and Casserole
Skillets like shrimp and grits or chicken fried steak work brilliantly with french fries instead of hash browns. The same goes for breakfast casseroles – the fries hold up well when baked.
Potatoes O’Brien
For recipes like potatoes O’Brien with onions, peppers, and seasonings, french fries can mimic diced or shredded potatoes. The seasoning flavors the fries.
Biscuits and Gravy
Fries make a tasty base for smothering in sausage or sawmill gravy, just like hash browns classically are. The gravy soaks right into the fries.
Breakfast Sandwiches
Using french fries in breakfast sandwiches adds a fun twist to the starch element. They provide crispy texture contrast against cheesy eggs and meats.
Dishes That Are Less Ideal for French Fry Substitution
While french fries can work great in many instances instead of hash browns, there are a few dishes that are less suited for fry substitution:
Hash Brown Casserole
Hash brown casserole relies on shredded potato texture to create the right creaminess when combined with creamy soup and cheese. French fries won’t break down in the same way.
Potato Pancakes
The shredded texture of hash browns is what gives potato pancakes their distinctive texture. French fries won’t bind together in the same way when making patties.
Roasted Potato Dishes
When roasting diced potatoes, the thicker french fry cut won’t cook at the same rate or get as crispy and caramelized as cubed hash browns.
Soup Thickeners
Some potato soups and stews use shredded or diced potatoes as thickeners. The thicker fry cut won’t dissolve and thicken liquid in the same manner.
Fried Potato Skins
While fries work for many fried potato dishes, the thin shape won’t hold up well for twice-baked potato skins, which rely on a thicker wedge shape.
Nutrition Comparison
French fries and hash browns have some nutritional differences to consider when substituting:
| Nutrient | French Fries (100g) | Hash Browns (100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 312 | 93 |
| Fat | 15g | 2g |
| Carbs | 37g | 21g |
| Protein | 4g | 2g |
| Sodium | 79mg | 3mg |
As shown, french fries are significantly higher in calories, fat, and sodium compared to hash browns due to being deep fried. Hash browns have fewer calories overall when baked or pan-fried. Both have similar carbohydrate content.
Cost Comparison
French fries and hash browns have the following approximate costs:
| Potato Type | Average Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Frozen French Fries (32oz bag) | $3-$5 |
| Frozen Hash Browns (32oz bag) | $2-$4 |
| Fresh Russet Potatoes (per pound) | $0.79 |
Frozen french fries tend to cost a bit more than frozen hash browns for the same weight. Of course, making either from scratch with fresh russet potatoes is cheapest. Overall, hash browns are typically the more budget-friendly choice – another reason they are so popular!
Conclusion
While french fries and hash browns aren’t exactly the same, fries can be used successfully in place of hash browns in a wide variety of breakfast and brunch recipes. Adjusting the cut, cooking method, and seasoning is key to getting the right texture and flavor. While hash browns work better in certain dishes, french fries make an excellent substitution in many situations for a touch of novelty while still letting the comforting potato flavor shine through.