French Onion Funeral Potatoes take the classic cheesy hash brown casserole to a whole new level with a savory twist—crispy homemade fried onions. While traditional funeral potatoes are often topped with crushed cornflakes, this version swaps that out for golden, crunchy fried onions, and the result is nothing short of amazing! Whether you’re making them for a holiday feast, potluck, or family dinner, these comforting potatoes are always a crowd favorite.
💡 What Are Funeral Potatoes?
Funeral Potatoes—also called Company Potatoes or Holiday Potatoes—are a cheesy, creamy potato casserole typically made with hash browns, sour cream, cheese, and a crunchy topping. They’re often served at gatherings (including funerals), which is how they got their memorable name. This version adds French onion flair with sautéed onions in the sauce and a crispy fried onion topping for extra flavor and texture.
🧀 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Potatoes:
- 32 oz frozen cubed hash browns, thawed
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1½ cups sour cream
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried mustard
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup whole milk
For the Crispy Onions:
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced and separated into rings
- 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
👩🍳 How to Make French Onion Funeral Potatoes
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Make the Potato Base
In a large bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, melted butter, shredded cheddar, and sour cream. Stir to combine and set aside.
3. Cook the Sauce
In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add diced onions and cook until softened (3–5 minutes), then add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, cayenne, and mustard and cook for another minute.
Slowly whisk in chicken broth and milk. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens.
4. Assemble the Casserole
Pour the creamy sauce over the potato mixture and stir well. Transfer everything to the prepared baking dish and bake for 45–50 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
🔥 How to Make Crispy Fried Onions
While the casserole is baking:
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep saucepan to 350°F (175°C).
- In batches, fry the sliced onions for 2–5 minutes, until pale golden and crispy.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season with kosher salt.
- Once the casserole is baked, sprinkle the fried onions on top and serve!
⏱️ Make-Ahead Tips
- To prep ahead: Assemble the casserole (without the onion topping) and refrigerate up to 24 hours. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months—just thaw overnight before baking.
- Fried onions: Can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
🥶 Storage & Reheating
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3–4 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes or microwave individual servings.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
French Onion Funeral Potatoes are the ultimate side dish for:
- Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner
- Potlucks and family reunions
- Roasted chicken, ham, or pork chops
- Comfort food nights
Final Thoughts
This French Onion twist on classic Funeral Potatoes is irresistibly cheesy, creamy, and packed with savory depth thanks to the sautéed onions and homemade fried topping. Whether you’re sharing it at a gathering or keeping it all to yourself (we won’t judge!), this casserole is pure comfort in every bite.