Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.

In a large bowl, combine the thawed, dried hash browns, shredded cheese, and seasoning. Mix well.

Add the raw breakfast sausage. Using your hands (it’s the best tool!), mix and knead until everything is uniformly and thoroughly combined. You should see no streaks of sausage or dry patches of hash browns.

Step 2: Shape & Bake
Using a small cookie scoop (1-1.5 tbsp) or your hands, roll the mixture into tight, 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared sheet about 1 inch apart.

For ULTRA-CRISPY results: Lightly spray the tops of the bites with cooking spray or brush with a tiny bit of oil.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are deeply golden brown, crispy on the outside, and the sausage is cooked through (internal temp of 160°F/71°C).

Step 3: The Air Fryer Shortcut (For Maximum Crisp)
Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).