How to Make Hash Browns That Taste Like They Came From Waffle House

As a Louisiana native, I know the magic of a 3 a.m. Waffle House run. There’s nothing like sliding into that sticky booth under fluorescent lights and digging into a plate of scattered hash browns—onions sizzling in greasy perfection—while waffles the size of my head keep me company on the side. It’s an experience, not just a meal.

Sadly, I don’t live near a Waffle House anymore, but the craving for those hash browns is real. When the longing hits, I find myself considering wild ideas, like a road trip solely for breakfast, but then my practical side kicks in. So, it’s up to me to recreate the magic at home and thankfully, another Louisiana native understands and has come through for me.

Content creator Austin Dennis shared this Waffle House-inspired scattered hash browns recipe on TikTok (@austindennis88) and I can already picture the kitchen chaos that's about to go down as I recreate this Waffle House dupes.

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What's So Great About Waffle House Hash Browns?

Waffle House scattered hash browns are crispy, golden-brown shredded potatoes cooked on a hot griddle and spread (or “scattered”) across the surface to ensure an even, crunchy texture. The “scattered” style differs from hash browns cooked in a compact mound, as scattering allows for maximum crispiness—a hallmark of Waffle House perfection.

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How to Make Waffle House Hash Browns at Home

To make these at home, you'll need diced onion, frozen shredded potatoes, diced ham, and sliced cheese. Cook the potatoes in oil and butter on a griddle. Shape them into a square to cook and season them well.

Meanwhile, cook the onions off to the side. Once both the hash browns and onions are browned, put the onions on top of the potatoes. Then add diced ham and sliced cheese on top and cover them until the cheese melts.

That is all it takes to get those delicious scattered hash browns that we all love!

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Variations to Make These Hash Browns Perfect

Waffle House offers a legendary lineup of toppings for these scattered delights. Some people like them smothered with sautéed onions or mushrooms, and others like them covered, meaning they are topped with melted cheese. You can also get them loaded with meat, like bacon or ham. It seems Autin combined all of these styles.

Personally, I like them made with scrambled eggs, jalapeño peppers and bacon.

Some people have even been known to finish the hash browns off with chili or smothered in rich sausage gravy, and all of these are options you can do at home!

These variations make the scattered hash browns more than just a side—they’re a full-blown meal that can be spicy, savory—or a little bit of everything!

And knowing how to make them will help with my Waffle House cravings—and save me lots of money in gas.

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