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Dairy Free Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole Copycat Recipe

Name: Dairy Free Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole Copycat Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 serving homemade Dairy Free Cream of Chicken Soup (10.5 ounces); 32 ounces frozen hash browns; ½ cup vegan butter melted and cooled; 16 ounces dairy free sour cream; 1 small white onion chopped; 1 ½ cups dairy free Colby Jack cheese shreds; ½ cup dairy free mild cheddar cheese shreds; Salt and black pepper to taste

ByAnna Luther January 4, 2024January 4, 2024

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·★★★★★5 from 38 reviews

Indulge in the homestyle charm of Cracker Barrel’s classic Hashbrown Casserole without the dairy with our Dairy-Free Crockpot Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Copycat Recipe!

This slow-cooked sensation captures the essence of the beloved original, delivering rich, cheesy flavor without a hint of dairy.

Perfect for those with lactose sensitivities or anyone craving a dairy-free twist on a comfort food favorite.

Let your slow cooker do the work as it transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, dreamy dish that’s sure to become a dairy-free delight for your taste buds.

Cracker Barrel Copycat Dairy Free Cheesy Potatoes with a fork taking a creamy bite

I’ve been dairy free for nearly a decade! Looking for more of my dairy free favorites? Check out my favorite dairy-free recipes here.

Be sure to check out the regular version of this recipe too: Crockpot Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole Copycat Recipe here

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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS DAIRY FREE CROCKPOT CRACKER BARREL COPYCAT RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
VARIATIONS
STORAGE
MAKING YOUR OWN DAIRY FREE CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
RELATED
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS DAIRY FREE CROCKPOT CRACKER BARREL COPYCAT RECIPE

Cracker Barrel Copycat Dairy Free Cheesy Potatoes in a bowl with seasoning

This hashbrown casserole is is both super easy to make dairy free and also not so easy. You’re taking the main flavor ingredients and substituting them for dairy-free versions. Anytime you do that, you’re going to alter the texture and taste.

The great news is that the final product is absolutely delicious!

When my family and I made Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole in the regular recipe AND a dairy-free version on the same day and compared, this is what we found:

The dairy-free version is creamier (if you can believe that)
The dairy-free version is tangier – this is most likely due to the dairy free sour cream
The dairy-free version tasted a little different. It wasn’t bad in any way, just different. We all agreed that we wouldn’t notice the difference if we didn’t have both recipes in front of us to taste back and forth.
The dairy-free version took longer to cook – nearly an entire hour longer. Keep this in mind as you plan your meal!

INGREDIENTS

FROZEN HASHBROWNS

These are easily found in the freezer section of your grocery store. You’ll need 32 ounces, which is roughly one bag.

VEGAN BUTTER

You can use whatever brand you prefer. We like Full Circle or Earth Balance.

DAIRY FREE CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP

You’ll need to make your own dairy free Cream of Chicken soup for this recipe. Don’t worry, it’s super easy and will only take you 10 minutes. Follow this recipe to make your dairy free cream of chicken soup.

DAIRY FREE SOUR CREAM

We love the VIOLIFE brand, but you can also use Kite Hill, Tofutti, Elmhurst or any other brand that you prefer.

WHITE ONION

DAIRY FREE CHEESE SHREDS – IDEALLY COLBY JACK AND MILD CHEDDAR CHEESE

We love the VIOLIFE brand, but you can use the brand that you can find.

SALT AND PEPPER

INSTRUCTIONS

Cracker Barrel Cheesy Potatoes Recipe ingredients, shredded cheese, melted butter and chopped onion on a turqoise cutting board.

Step 1: Prepare your ingredients. Shred your cheese, melt your butter and chop the onion. You’ll also make your Dairy Free Cream of Chicken Soup.

Cracker Barrel Cheesy Potatoes Recipe, ingredients in crockpot

Step 2: Dump all ingredients into the crockpot.

Cracker Barrel Cheesy potatoes recipe stir in crockpot

Step 3: Mix well. (You may want to mix in a large bowl and then pour into your crockpot if you run out of room)

Cracker Barrel Cheesy potatoes recipe in crockpot after cooking

Step 4: Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours. Enjoy!

HINT: If you’ve made our regular recipe, you’ll see that this version cooks longer. You’ll need that extra cooking time for the dairy-free version.

VARIATIONS

MAKE THIS YOUR FAVORITE EASY HASHBROWN CASSEROLE EVER!

Have extra oven space? Take this Cracker Barrel copycat recipe to the next level by pouring your cooked, cheesy hash into a baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs or crushed potato chips on the top of the casserole and bake at 350°F for 10 – 15 minutes until the topping is brown and crispy. Yum!

MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE

When you make your own cream of chicken soup using our recipe, you’ll also be creating a gluten free version of this yummy hashbrown casserole.

STORAGE

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. You could use an airtight container, gallon-size ziploc bags, or a casserole dish covered in aluminum foil. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake in the oven at 350°F for 35-40 minutes or until heated through.

MAKING YOUR OWN DAIRY FREE CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP

Homemade Gluten Free, Dairy Free Cream of Chicken Soup in a glass mason jar on a wooden cutting board with a white spatula.

One of the bases of this recipe is a dairy free Cream of Chicken Soup. We have a super simple recipe that takes just 10 minutes. You’ll combine chicken broth, vegan butter, gluten free or regular flour and some salt. Easy peasy.

>>Click here for our Dairy Free Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hashbrowns in the Dairy Free Crockpot Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole?

While frozen hashbrowns are recommended for convenience, you can substitute fresh, shredded potatoes. Ensure they are well-drained to prevent excess moisture in the dish. Just know that making a substitute for the main ingredient will impact the overall taste and texture of the dish.

Is it possible to make this hashbrown casserole ahead of time and reheat it?

Absolutely! Prepare the dish in advance, refrigerate, and reheat when ready to serve.

Can I customize the ingredients, like adding extra dairy free cheese or vegetables?

Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipe by adding more cheese, sautéed vegetables, or even crumbled bacon for extra flavor.

What can I serve with the Dairy Free Crockpot Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole?

This casserole is basically the easiest side dish you’ll ever make. It pairs will with a variety of dishes, like scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, salad, as well as a variety of meats.

How do I prevent the hashbrown casserole from sticking to the slow cooker?

Grease the slow cooker insert thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray or vegan butter to prevent sticking. You can also use slow cooker liners for easy cleanup.

Can I make a gluten-free version of this recipe?

Yes. I’ve been gluten free for nearly a decade! Be sure to use gluten free flour when you make your homemade Dairy Free Cream of Chicken Soup, and this recipe is gluten free!

Can I freeze leftovers of the Dairy Free Crockpot Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole?

Yes, you can freeze leftovers in airtight containers. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Can I double this recipe?

This comes nearly to the brim of my 6qt crockpot, so you’ll want to make sure you have a SUPER large crockpot if you’re doubling this recipe.

I can’t find Dairy Free Colby Cheese Shreds. What other types of dairy free cheese should I use?

While Colby is key to replicating the signature Cracker Barrel taste, you can use any dairy free cheese shreds to match your cheese preferences. I would start with cheddar and potentially combine mozzarella. (Those two are typically easily found in the dairy free section of your supermarket.)

Can I use nutritional yeast to enhance the cheesy flavor in this dairy-free copycat recipe?

Absolutely! Nutritional yeast is a popular dairy-free cheese substitute that can add a deliciously cheesy flavor to your dish. Adjust the quantity to your taste preferences.

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