HASH browns are a breakfast staple – and we all love a cheeky McDonald’s one.
Of course, you could make your own ones – but supermarkets offer decent frozen ones too that you can pop in the oven or air fryer to get your fix at home.
Lynsey Hope tests supermarket own-brand hashbrowns
Hash browns first started appearing on breakfast menus in New York in the 1890s.
They are made of chopped potatoes and are fried until golden brown.
Mum-of-three and fry-up lover Lynsey Hope, 41, from West Malling, Kent, taste tested some supermarket hash browns.
Here, she gives her verdict:
Tesco Hash Browns (750g)
We loved Tesco’s hash browns
- £1.60
Lynsey says: “If you’re guilty pleasure is a McDonald’s hash brown, then look no further. These taste just the same.
“They crisped up well, have just the right amount of salt and are a lovely texture. Top product from Tesco.
“Plus you can have them all day, whenever you want, not just before 11am. I’ll be buying more.”
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall: 10/10
- Total score: 30/30
Morrisons Hash Browns (750g)
The Morrisons ones looked lovely once cooked
- £1.65
Lynsey says: “Came out of the oven crispy and looked appetising. They did fall apart a bit when I tried to pick them up with a fork.
“Overall though, no complaints. They tasted lovely and really hit the spot with my morning fry up.
“A decent product to have in your freezer and a good price. I’m fast becoming a Morrisons girl.”
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall: 9/10
- Total score: 27/30
Asda Crispy Hash Browns (800g)
These are great when done with an air fryer
- £1.70
Lynsey says: “Asda’s are the perfect size and these crisped up well. They took longer in the oven but tasted even better if you happen to have an air fryer and can cook them in there.
“Good quality. I’d have no complaints about these on my breakfast plate. A good sized bag for your money too.”
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall: 8/10
- Total score: 24/30
McCain Hash Browns (625g)
McCain’s are pricey for how much you get
- £2.50
Lynsey says: “These got crispy very quickly and ended up too hard. You’ll need to cook them for less time than recommended if you want to enjoy them.
“They were a nice size and didn’t contain onion pieces like many others.
“No palm oil, which is an eco plus but they are pricey and you’re getting a smaller bag than you are with all the own brands so they’re not great value.”
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 6/10
- Overall: 6/10
- Total score: 19/30
Hash Browns by Sainsbury’s (700g)
Not quite our favourite, but not too bad
- £1.70
Lynsey says: “The potato in these was quite mushy and they took longer to cook than most others, around 25 minutes. A good size but I would have preferred a bit more seasoning.”
- Taste: 6/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall: 6/10
- Total score: 17/30
Lidl Harvest Basket Hash Browns (750g)
These are definitely our least favourite
- £1.35
Lynsey says: “Much too big. Almost double the size of a McDonald’s hash brown and even after cooking them for the recommended 20 to 25 minutes, they were not as crispy as I’d have liked and needed longer.
“Not enough seasoning. The big size meant that even though they were a good price, there weren’t many in the bag either.”
- Taste: 3/10
- Value: 4/10
- Overall: 3/10
- Total score: 10/30
