16 Best Breakfast Potato Recipes

Start Your Day With Perfect Spuds

By
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
A journalist, writer, and author, Lizz Schumer has 10+ years of experience covering food and drink for a wide variety of well-known print and online publications.
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Updated on 08/17/22
Skillet Fried Potatoes Recipe

 The Spruce

One of the best ways we can think of to start off the day features the humble spud. And with several types of hash browns, home fries, and more, you have enough options to try a different preparation every weekend for some time. We rounded up some of our favorites to level up your breakfast, so don't hit snooze on these delicious breakfast potatoes.

  • 01 of 16

    Perfect Home Fries

    Home Fries
    Home Fries. Home Fries Photo: Diana Rattray

    Use a waxy potato variety like red potatoes or round red potatoes for the best crispy home fries. If they're in season, small new potatoes would also work great. Onions add even more flavor, as does just a hint of paprika.

  • 02 of 16

    Homemade Hash Browns

    Golden hash browns in black frying pan
    4kodiak / Getty Images

    Once you try making your own crispy shredded hash browns, you'll say, "Ore Ida who?" Either a box grater or the grate attachment of a food processor would work. The trick to success involves boiling the potatoes until barely tender so they don't fall apart when grating.

    The 9 Best Food Processors of 2023, Tested and Reviewed food processors lab testing hero
  • 03 of 16

    Sweet Potato Hash

    Sweet Potato Hash

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

    Sweet potatoes give this hearty breakfast hash a different twist that takes just 45 minutes to come together entirely. Red bell pepper gives it color and extra nutrients, while smoked sausage makes it substantial enough to hold you over well into the afternoon.

  • 04 of 16

    Skillet Potatoes with Peppers

    Easy Skillet Fried Potatoes

     The Spruce

    Add some red bell pepper, garlic, onion, and a hint of paprika to red skinned potatoes for zesty home fries. Any waxy or medium starchy potatoes would also work, as long as they have enough heft to stay together when skillet frying.

    Continue to 5 of 16 below.
  • 05 of 16

    Hash Brown Casserole

    Hash Brown Casserole

    The Spruce

    Creamy, cheesy, and chock full of shredded hash browns, this hearty casserole makes an excellent brunch side dish for a large gathering or potluck. Scramble up some eggs, fry some bacon or sausage, and you have yourself a meal.

  • 06 of 16

    Grilled Hash Brown Potatoes

    Grilled Hash Brown Potatoes
    Craig McCausland/E+/Getty Images

    These foil packet hash brown potatoes work great for camping, tailgating, or any outdoor get-together. Squeeze out as much water as you can before assembling the packets, or else they'll steam instead of browning. For variation, add cheese, herbs, or even some diced ham or bacon.

  • 07 of 16

    Slow Cooker Hash Browns

    Slow Cooker Hash Brown Casserole
    Diana Rattray

    For a late brunch, potluck lunch or breakfast-for-dinner, these creamy slow cooker hash browns make a wonderful make-ahead dish. They come out creamy, cheesy, and starchy. To lighten them up a bit, use a low-fat condensed soup.

  • 08 of 16

    Potato and Ham Hash

    Ham and Potato Hash
    Diana Rattray

    Because they include both diced ham and potatoes, this simple Southern potato hash can also serve as a main dish if you pair it with some scrambled eggs or top it with an over-easy egg. Add extra veggies like broccoli and cauliflower with cheese for a heartier dinner side, or swap out the ham for bacon or sausage.

    Continue to 9 of 16 below.
  • 09 of 16

    Hash Browns with Onion

    Homemade Hash Brown Potatoes

    The Spruce

    Adding a little sweet onion to your hash browns gives them a slightly sweeter flavor that complements your breakfast or brunch perfectly. They also make a great base for a hash brown casserole or hash, as well as a delicious side for any roast supper.

  • 10 of 16

    Hash Brown Latkes

    Hash Brown Latkes Recipe

     The Spruce

    Squeeze as much water out of your shredded potatoes as you can before forming and frying these fried potato latkes for the crispiest edges. Serve with sour cream, applesauce, and a sprinkle of chopped dill or chives for a side dish that tastes a little more special than basic hash browns.

  • 11 of 16

    Irish Potato Pancakes

    Boxty
    Boxty Irish Potato Pancakes. Photo: Diana Rattray

    Irish potato pancakes taste similar to latkes, except these use both fresh shredded potatoes and leftover mashed. We like ours with a pat of butter, but some people also serve them with applesauce or sprinkled with some powdered sugar. Try them for breakfast or really any time of day.

  • 12 of 16

    Muffin Tin Potato Stacks

    Cheesy Muffin Tin Potato Stacks

    Vera Lair/Stocksy United

    A muffin tin makes the perfect pan for these adorable potato and cheese stacks. Try making them ahead for an easy breakfast or brunch that looks—and tastes—like you did a lot more work than these actually require.

    Continue to 13 of 16 below.
  • 13 of 16

    Air Fryer Potatoes

    air fryer potatoes with parsley garnish and parmesan cheese on the side
    Diana Rattray

    For a lighter twist on the classic skillet fried potatoes, try this air fryer version that comes out crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Paprika, garlic powder, and just a hint of Parmesan cheese give them a delicious flavor that tastes great for breakfast or any time.

  • 14 of 16

    Hash Brown Breakfast Bites

    Easy and Crispy Hash Brown Breakfast Bites

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Use either tater tots or frozen hash browns for these quick and easy breakfast bites. Egg, potato, and a little spinach make them a whole meal in each mouthful. Mix things up by adding different veggies and even some chopped ham or crumbled sausage or bacon.

  • 15 of 16

    Classic Potato Pancakes

    Classic Potato Pancakes
    Diana Rattray

    Potato pancakes make a great main dish with a side of breakfast meat, but you can also make them a little smaller for a side. For a special presentation, top them with some smoked salmon and a poached egg for a special Benedict stack.

  • 16 of 16

    Kosher Potato Kugel

    classic potato kugel

    The Spruce 

    This Shabbat staple uses eggs, potato, and onion for a classic breakfast bake. It comes out tender inside and crispy outside, and a slice of it goes just as well alongside a brisket or some eggs and sausage. Once you master this recipe, try adding variables like veggies, too.