Loaded Hash Browns with Eggs (Print)

Crispy hash browns topped with fried eggs, creamy avocado, and cottage cheese for a satisfying protein-rich breakfast.

# Ingredient List:

→ Hash Browns

01 - 3 cups frozen shredded hash browns, thawed and excess moisture removed
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

05 - 4 large eggs
06 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
07 - 1 large ripe avocado, halved, pitted, and sliced
08 - 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese
09 - 2 green onions, roots trimmed and thinly sliced
10 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
12 - Hot sauce, for serving
13 - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the thawed hash browns, spreading into an even, compact layer. Season evenly with salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes until the bottom develops a deep golden-brown crust. Flip in sections and cook another 5-7 minutes until both sides are crisp and potatoes are tender throughout. Transfer immediately to serving plates.
02 - While hash browns cook, melt butter in a separate nonstick skillet over medium heat. Crack eggs into the pan, keeping them separated. Cook until whites are fully set and edges become crisp, but yolks remain runny, about 3-4 minutes. Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
03 - Arrange sliced avocado and a generous scoop of cottage cheese directly on each portion of crispy hash browns while they're still hot.
04 - Carefully transfer a fried egg atop each plated portion, allowing the residual heat to warm the avocado and cottage cheese slightly.
05 - Scatter green onions, cherry tomato halves, and fresh cilantro over the plates. Pass hot sauce at the table. Serve immediately while hash browns retain their crunch and eggs remain hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything you want for breakfast happens on one plate, no sides needed
  • The hot crispy hash browns against cool creamy avocado creates this ridiculous texture situation
02 -
  • Don't crowd the pan with hash browns or they'll steam instead of getting that crunch that makes this dish work
  • Hot eggs on cool cottage cheese is weirdly perfect, so don't let the cheese come to room temperature first
03 -
  • Pat your hash browns completely dry with paper towels before cooking if they seem watery, moisture is the enemy of crispiness
  • Let your skillet get properly hot before adding any food, that's the secret to restaurant-style browning

Go Back