I don't really know what to call this bread besides Hash Brown Sandwich Bread. It's literally a hash brown made in a waffle maker and used as sandwich bread. This recipe has only one ingredient and is gluten-free, grain-free, and vegan! It has been a game-changer for me to have this sandwich bread since being on a grain-free diet.
I have seen people make breakfast sandwiches using two pieces of hash browns as the bread. So it got me thinking, why can't I use hash browns as my bread for my everyday sandwiches? Hash browns, if made at home, are grain-free, seed oil-free and you can get them ultra-crispy.
Finding a good grain-free bread
Now that I'm on a strict paleo diet, grains are not apart of my daily diet. I have tried so many grain-free loaves of bread hoping to find one that I can use for breakfast, sandwiches, etc. Finding substitutions for everyday food items I was eating before my diet is not easy. I have been able to find grain-free bread at the grocery store, but it's always so disappointing. Not only is it very expensive (I'm talking about $10 for a small loaf!) the bread is very crumbly and they all tend to be extremely eggy. If you're grain-free and vegan, this isn't going to work.
How to make hash brown sandwich bread
- The first step is to shred your potatoes and mix them with salt and pepper. The potatoes are then spread out onto a greased waffle maker and cooked until crispy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Lastly, the hash brown bread cools for a bit before adding all your favorite sandwich ingredients. Super easy and simple!
Are grains healthy?
This seems to be the million-dollar question nowadays. Are grains healthy and can they be apart of a healthy diet? The answer is both yes and no. It is complicated.
What are lectins?
Every animal and plant has a self-defense mechanism to help it survive. Plants, since they do not move and can't physically defend themselves from an animal or person consuming it, they need to get creative on how to survive. Lectins are a protein found in legumes and grains that cause gastrointestinal discomfort in the animal that consumes them. These symptoms include but are not limited to gas, bloating nausea, and diarrhea. An excess amount of lectins in a person's diet can lead to intestinal permeability which can result in large particles that typically should not cross the barrier to 'leak" into the blood stream resulting in leaky gut syndrome.
What is leaky gut syndrome?
As I said above, leaky gut syndrome is when the intentional lining becomes permeable and larger particles that should not cross the barrier cross into the bloodstream. The gaps and cracks are a result of the tight junctions which are in charge of controlling that barrier do not work properly. That malfunction can cause food proteins and bacteria to travel elsewhere in the body causing issues.
I have tested positive for leaky gut syndrome. I am currently on a protocol to eliminate all grains, legumes, and nightshades unless peeled and cooked. Having a functional medicine approach to healing my rheumatoid arthritis means I take my gut health pretty seriously. My goal is to be able to heal my gut lining so I can consume these foods in moderation in the future without causing aches and pains in my joints.
How to get rid of lectins in food
The good news is there are ways to help reduce the lectin load of food while still being able to enjoy it. Nightshades such as tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes should be peeled and then pressure cooked or slow-cooked for a long period of time to help reduce the lectin load of the food. Legumes and grains should be soaked for a minimum of 8 hours. Soaking helps not only reduce the lectin content but will also speed up the cooking process.
The good news about grains
Grains are a wonderful source of fiber. They also contain lots of B vitamins and minerals such as iron. If you do not have a leaky gut and do not have any gastrointestinal issues after consuming grains, it sounds like they can be apart of your healthy diet.
If you do have a leaky gut and this has been confirmed by a doctor, try cutting them out of your diet for a period of time to see if symptoms improve. I do not recommend doing this without the supervision of a doctor just to make sure you are meeting all of your daily nutritional needs.
The waffle maker that I use
The waffle maker that I use is from Cuisinart. It was not expensive and is very easy to clean. It has an adjustable dial, like a toaster, so your waffle or hash brown sandwich bread doesn't get too brown. I barely need to use any oil on the waffle maker to get a really nice crunch to my waffles and bread.
A couple of notes about hash brown sandwich bread
Can I use frozen hashbrowns?
Yes! I recommend thawing the frozen potatoes and squeezing out excess liquid with a cheesecloth before cooking. Buying frozen hash browns can help save time when making this bread.
Storing hash brown sandwich bread
Storing in the refrigerator
You can easily store this bread in the fridge for up to three days. Since it will have been stored and is not freshly made, the bread will not be crispy. You can easily reheat it in the oven or place it in the waffle maker to get that freshly cooked texture.
Storing in the freezer
Just like storing in the fridge, this recipe can also be stored in the freezer. Place in a freezer-safe bag with excess air removed for up to three months in the freezer. Take one out about thirty minutes before consuming so it has time to thaw. Like I said above, you can easily reheat in the oven or in the waffle maker to get that freshly cooked texture.
Looking for more grain-free and vegan recipes? Make sure to check out this Arugula and Potato Salad, Chocolate Brownie Batter, and minty Grasshopper Pie.
Hash Brown Sandwich Bread
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes
Instructions
- Wash and dry the russet potatoes. Grate with a cheese grater or in a food processor if you have one.
- Place the grated potatoes in a bowl of water and rinse to remove excess starch. Once rinsed, place the shredded potatoes inside some cheesecloth and squeeze out all the excess liquid. Removing this liquid is key to ensure crispy hash browns.
- Heat up the waffle maker and lightly spray with cooking oil such as avocado oil. Once hot, place the shredded potatoes on top and spread them out into a thick and even layer. Close the lid and cook for about five minutes or until ultra-crispy and brown.
- Once cooked, remove from the waffle maker with some tongs and allow to cool slightly before adding all your favorite sandwich toppings. Enjoy!
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Renee
I really like this as bread replacement. I made a croque monsieur and it was the breakfast sandwich of my dreams.
lovecheflaura
What a great idea to make a Croque Monsieur! Glad you enjoyed it!