The Easy Party Trick Turns Hash Browns Into the Main Event

Does anyone else remember when hash brown patties were hard to come by at the grocery store? My local Trader Joe’s had a one-per-customer limit at some point, and they were often out of stock. Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to be a problem these days. They’re easy to find at just about any market, and every brand I’ve tried tastes pretty much the same.

While they're good on their own, they're even better loaded up with a variety of toppings. A recent trend takes this to the next level, creating a food flight with different flavors.

How to Use Hash Browns for a Food Flight

Food flights are the perfect hack for an indecisive group of diners—everybody is bound to like at least one variety, and you’ll all have fun trying out different combinations. I’ve seen lots of different takes on this trend—from deviled eggs to waffles—but hash browns are my new favorite base for the pile of flavors.

For the crispiest results, I always cook my hash brown patties in the air fryer. After 10 minutes at 400ºF, they’re ready to be topped, warmed through for another two minutes, garnished with a final sprinkle or drizzle, and served hot.

Ways to Top Hash Browns

For my first hash brown flight, I went with three combos that sounded good to me: shaved ham, scrambled eggs, and Swiss cheese with green onions; leftover buffalo chicken dip, cheddar, and celery; and crisp bacon, pickled jalapeños, and hot honey.

Each one was a home run. The ham and egg hash brown would make a great breakfast or brunch on its own. I can imagine the buffalo chicken dip and spicy bacon versions would be perfect for a football-watching spread.

The first time I saw these hash browns was on TikTok. Creator @desswitdamesss seasoned her hash browns with a variety of flavorings and air-fried them. Then, she brushed on ranch-spiked sour cream, more seasonings, chives, and shredded cheese, and air-fried them again for a few minutes. Next, she added scrambled eggs, turkey, and cheese on one hash brown, and turkey, bacon, and pickled jalapeños on another. They go into the air fryer for a third and final round, and then add a final sprinkle of cheese on the former and a dollop of sour cream on the latter.

I went a slightly easier route, but I’m curious to try her versions, too. Here are some other options I'd love to explore:

• Classic “loaded” potatoes: Bacon bits, shredded cheddar, sour cream, and chives
• Caprese: Sliced Roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze
• Reuben: Pastrami, swiss, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing
• Suiza: Shredded chicken, salsa verde, Monterey jack cheese, and sour cream