If you skip this step and put them directly into freezer bags you will end up with a solid brick of smashed potatoes. Dont put to many on the tray or they will stick together as they freeze, and you want to be able to easily break them apart. Note If youre having a bad day or feeling a little frustrated, then go ahead and pack them on the cookie sheet. When theyre frozen solid take them out of the freezer, get a big metal spatula, hammer, pickaxe, or splitting maul are all acceptable and goggles, then start hacking and hacking at the potatoes to break them up. After the hash browns are evenly dispersed in your hair and around the kitchen, take a deep breath. Disclosure I am not a doctor or a therapist of any kind, I only share tips that work for me. Place them in the freezer until frozen through. This takes about an hour and a half. Break them apart, scoop them into a labeled freezer bag, and store in the freezer. There you have it Homemade frozen hash browns ready for breakfast or any recipe that calls for frozen hash brownsIt sounds time consuming, but its mostly time spent doing other things theres always plenty to do while the spuds are cookingcoolingfreezing etc.