How to cook frozen diced potatoes in the oven without them being burnt or undercooked requires some understanding about baking time and temperature. As easy as this process may seem, you need to pay close attention to the color of the potatoes, as this will indicate their doneness. Keep on reading to know more useful tips about cooking frozen diced potatoes.
What is frozen diced potatoes?
Frozen diced potatoes are already pre-cooked and finely diced before being put in a frozen state. These dices will save you lots of time preparing meals, especially in busy kitchens. Most importantly, they provide a uniform consistency all year round and have a long shelf life. These potato chunks can be used in gratins, soups, stews, or other potato dishes.
Nowadays, you can easily find famous brands who make diced hash brown potatoes, such as Ore-Ida, Grown in Idaho, Great Value, Cavendish, Western Family…
How to cook frozen diced potatoes in the oven step by step
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 210-degrees C or 425-degrees F.
Step 2: Bake the diced potatoes following one of the methods below:
Method 1
Arrange the frozen diced potatoes on a non-stick baking tray (you don’t need to thaw them before baking). Make sure the potatoes are formed in a single layer to cook evenly—Bake at the same cooking temperature for about 10 minutes.
Flip the diced potatoes to the other side after 7 – 10 minutes of baking. Then continue cooking the potatoes for another 10 minutes until the potatoes turn golden brown and become crispy.
Method 2
Some people want the crispness of their frozen potatoes to be more apparent. Cover the baking sheet with a touch of olive oil for this to work. Then transfer the baking tray with potatoes in the oven and heat up for about 5 minutes or under.
After that, arrange the frozen potatoes on the baking tray and let the potatoes coat in hot oil. Be careful as the tray is still hot. Bake for approximately 25 – 30 minutes. You can also tell they’re cooked through when they’re lightly browned. Remember to turn the potatoes around halfway through cooking time.
Step 3: Serve your baked diced potatoes immediately as breakfast or a tasty side dish. Diced potatoes also pair well with some salad or sauce.
Related article: Frozen Chicken Nuggets by Air Fryer with Perfect Tips
Other ways to cook frozen diced potatoes
Cook diced potatoes on the stove
Step 1: Heat up cooking oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. The oil needs to be preheated in an uncovered skillet.
Step 2: Add frozen diced potatoes to the preheated oiled skillet. Spread the potatoes and make them form into a single layer to cook more evenly. Fry each side of the potatoes for about 4 minutes at 350-degrees F (or 175-degrees C). The total cooking time is about 8 minutes.
Cook diced potatoes in the air fryer
Step 1: In a bowl, mix your desired amount of frozen diced potatoes with pepper, salt, and oil. Add a little olive oil to your cooking tray’s surface or air fryer basket. You can also opt for the cooking spray to substitute olive oil.
Step 2: Arrange the potatoes in an even layer. Then bake at 400-degrees F (or 200-degrees C) for approximately 12 minutes.
Step 3: Flip them to the other side and bake for another 8 – 10 minutes. Bake the potatoes longer if you want to enjoy a less crispy texture.
Microwave diced potatoes
Step 1: Pour out the number of frozen potatoes you want. Then form a single layer of the potatoes on a microwaveable plate.
Step 2: Cook the potatoes in the microwave on full power for approximately one minute. After each minute of cooking, remember to give the potatoes a shake.
Step 3: Microwave the potatoes for approximately 10 minutes in total.
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Seasoning
Frozen diced potatoes can be quite bland on their own, so adding seasoning is essential to make them flavorful and delicious. Here are some tips to add flavor and enhance the taste of your frozen diced potatoes:
- Use herbs and spices: Add some herbs and spices to your potatoes to give them a more complex flavor. Popular options include garlic, rosemary, paprika, thyme, and black pepper. You can also use a pre-made seasoning blend that complements the dish you’re making.
- Add oil or butter: Adding oil or butter to your potatoes before baking will help them become crispy and golden brown. You can use any oil of your choice, such as olive oil, vegetable oil, or coconut oil. Butter adds a rich flavor and creaminess to the potatoes.
- Balance seasoning and oil: Be careful not to add too much seasoning or oil to your potatoes, as this can result in an overpowering taste or a greasy texture. Start with a small amount and add more gradually until you achieve the desired flavor and texture.
- Toss the potatoes: To ensure even coating of seasoning and oil, toss the potatoes in a bowl before placing them on the baking sheet. This will help distribute the seasoning and oil evenly, resulting in a more consistent flavor and texture.
- Experiment with different seasoning blends: Don’t be afraid to try out different seasoning blends to find the one that you like best. You can also mix and match different herbs and spices to create your own custom seasoning blend.
By using these tips, you can transform bland frozen diced potatoes into a flavorful and satisfying dish that your family and friends will love.
Serving suggestions
Once your frozen diced potatoes are perfectly baked, it’s time to serve them up! Here are some serving suggestions to inspire you:
- Side dish: Baked frozen diced potatoes make a great side dish for almost any meal. Serve them alongside grilled or roasted meats, vegetables, or tofu. You can also sprinkle some fresh herbs or grated cheese on top for an extra flavor boost.
- Breakfast hash: Baked frozen diced potatoes are perfect for breakfast too! Fry them up with some bacon or sausage, onions, and bell peppers for a hearty and satisfying breakfast hash. Top with a fried egg for added protein.
- Base for toppings: Baked frozen diced potatoes make a great base for toppings. You can top them with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or cheese for a quick and easy appetizer or snack. You can also use them as a base for loaded potato skins, nachos, or a potato bar.
- Potato salad: Baked frozen diced potatoes make a great addition to potato salad. Toss them with some chopped celery, red onion, and hard-boiled eggs, then add a creamy dressing like mayonnaise or yogurt.
- Creative serving presentations: Get creative with how you serve your baked frozen diced potatoes! Serve them in a skillet, on a platter, or in individual ramekins. You can also add some garnishes like chopped parsley, chives, or diced tomatoes to make them look more appetizing.
By trying out these serving suggestions, you can enjoy baked frozen diced potatoes in a variety of delicious and creative ways. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish or using them as a base for toppings, these potatoes are versatile and easy to customize to your liking.
Tips for cooking frozen diced potatoes in the oven
Defrosting the diced potatoes before cooking (optional): When you need to cook frozen diced potatoes, just simply microwave, boil or fry them until they’re fork-tender. There’s no need to thaw the frozen potatoes before you cook them. However, if you’re not pressed for time, thawing the frozen potatoes also has an upside. Because this way, the extra moisture in the frozen potatoes will be eliminated.
How to cook frozen diced hash brown Ore-Ida potatoes? There are various ways to cook frozen diced hash brown Ore-Ida potatoes. You can cook them in the oven, in an air fryer, in a skillet or electric skillet, in the microwave…
Variety of dishes you can make with frozen diced potatoes: Frozen diced potatoes can be used as an ingredient in various recipes. For example, you can make a hash brown egg casserole dish featuring diced potatoes, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Yankee red flannel hash, scalloped taters, or country brunch skillet are also some of the great ideas for your meal.
There you have the answer to cooking frozen diced potatoes in the oven. A bag of frozen diced potatoes will shorten your cooking time significantly. Feel free to share with Bourbono your experience in cooking frozen potatoes and what dishes you’ve made out of them.
