• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peanut Blossom
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Book Club
  • Cookbooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • HOLIDAYS
  • BOOK CLUB
  • COOKBOOKS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • HOLIDAYS
    • BOOK CLUB
    • COOKBOOKS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Cheesy Cornflake Potatoes {Oven or Crock Pot}

    Published: Mar 22, 2022 · Modified: Feb 24, 2023 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Share
    • Email Friend!
    Jump to Recipe - Pin Recipe
    A photo collage shows the ingredients and the finished potato casserole.

    Cheesy cornflake potatoes, or "funeral potatoes," are made with hash browns and cheddar cheese and have a buttery corn flakes topping. You can bake them in the oven or in the Crock Pot using my special tricks for keeping them crispy!

    The funeral potatoes recipe has been baked and a spoon has scooped out a serving from the baker.

    I firmly believe some of the best recipes come from classic American church potlucks. Generations of women have known just the right way to comfort fellow parishioners at funeral brunches and celebratory picnics alike.

    The best example ever of a church casserole?? These cheesy cornflake potatoes, otherwise known widely as "funeral potatoes."

    Prepared hash brown potatoes from the refrigerator section are mixed with a creamy sauce, shredded cheese, and then baked with a buttery cornflakes cereal topping that gets amazingly crispy in the oven.

    You could also use my clever twist to make funeral potatoes in the Crock Pot, this makes them even easier to add to a holiday buffet menu.

    My family loves to serve these cheesy potatoes as part of an Easter brunch or Christmas dinner but they would make a hearty addition to any special meal all year long.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Mix the Shredded Potato Base
    • Add the Cornflake Topping
    • How to Make Crispy Funeral Potatoes in the Crock Pot
    • Make Ahead Tips
    • Variations
    • More Potato Side Dishes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    The ingredients to make funeral potatoes are on the counter.

    A few prepared ingredients along with some fresh chopped onion give this potato casserole oodles of flavor:

    • Shredded hash browns potatoes: I used the kind you find in the fridge section of the grocery store. If you prefer to use frozen, you'll want to let them thaw first.
    • Sour cream: I like cooking with Light sour cream, but regular works great, too.
    • Cream of chicken soup: If you prefer not to use a canned recipe, you could always make your own cream of chicken soup substitute from scratch.
    • Shredded cheddar cheese: This is the classic flavor for cheesy potatoes but you could substitute Monterey jack or Swiss cheese, too.
    • Fresh onion: I love the way a real onion tastes in this casserole but in a pinch you could add dried onion powder.
    • Butter
    • Cornflakes cereal
    • Hot sauce or cayenne pepper: Just a dash gives a boost of flavor but doesn't make the potatoes spicy.
    • Seasoned salt
    • Fresh cracked pepper

    Mix the Shredded Potato Base

    First, prepare the potato base of the casserole.

    In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, hash browns, shredded cheese, diced onion, and seasonings.

    The shredded cheese, cream of chicken soup, hashbrown potatoes, and other ingredients are in a mixing bowl.

    Spread the mixture evenly in a 9 x 13-in baking dish. (For Crock Pot instructions, see the section below.)

    The potatoes have been spread in a 9 x 13 baking dish in an even layer.

    Add the Cornflake Topping

    Melt the butter in a microwave safe measuring cup and add the cornflakes cereal. Mix together with a fork until the cereal is coated in butter.

    The crushed cornflakes have been mixed with melted butter in a measuring cup.

    Sprinkle the corn flakes evenly over the potatoes and bake at 350°F for 40 - 50 minutes or until the potatoes are bubbling hot and the cornflakes are golden brown and crispy.

    The potato casserole has been topped with cornflakes and baked in a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.

    See how easy that is?? No wonder all those church ladies turned to this recipe: delicious AND quick to prepare.

    How to Make Crispy Funeral Potatoes in the Crock Pot

    If you want a totally hands-free casserole to add to your buffet, a slowcooker comes in really handy.

    You can bake the cheesy potatoes perfectly in a Crock Pot with this tip but the trick is knowing how to keep the cornflake topping from getting soggy.

    If you tried to place the cornflakes over the potatoes in the slowcooker, the steam from the potatoes will add too much moisture to the cereal topping.

    Instead, I recommend following the same trick I use for my Crockpot green beans casserole:

    First, spray the bowl of your slowcooker with cooking spray. Then add the layer of potatoes. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 - 4 hours or on LOW for 5 - 6 hours.

    DO NOT put the cornflakes on top. Instead, combine the cereal and melted butter as directed but then spread the cereal out on a large baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes or until the cereal topping is crispy.

    Place the cornflakes in a serving bowl with a spoon right next to the slowcooker for your guests to spoon hot cheesy potatoes and the top with freshly crispy cornflakes as desired.

    • A serving of crispy green bean casserole is in a blue dish with a fork.
      Crispy Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

    Make Ahead Tips

    You can prepare the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance with these tips:

    • Spread the potatoes in the baking dish, cover and keep refrigerated.
    • Let the chilled potatoes come to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
    • Wait to combine the cornflakes and butter and sprinkle over the potatoes until just before baking.

    Alternatively, you could bake the entire casserole, let it cool and the refrigerate covered overnight. The cheesy potatoes reheat beautifully if you let them come to room temperature before baking again.

    I don't recommend trying to freeze this dish, the cream and melted cheese could easily separate during the thawing process.

    Variations

    This classic cheesy potatoes casserole is perfect as-is, but it would be a fun side dish to play around with a few tasty variations:

    • Herby Potatoes: Mix in some fresh parsley, chives, or thyme with the potato mixture.
    • Spicy Potatoes: Mix in a little diced red pepper and add a couple shakes more of hot sauce or some crushed red pepper flakes to the potato base before baking.
    • Veggie Potatoes: Add some chopped baby spinach and frozen corn kernels to the potato base before baking.

    More Potato Side Dishes

    A festive family meal needs a delicious potato side dish. These easy potato recipes are just perfect:

    • A platter of homemade potato latkes next to cups of sour cream and applesauce with spoons.
      Make-Ahead Potato Latkes
    • A baking dish filled with the finished sweet potato casserole with pecan topping.
      Make Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole
    • A silver Crockpot has finished mashed potatoes that are sprinkled with fresh chives and two pats of butter.
      Creamy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
    • A metal baking sheet has chopped and roasted sweet potatoes scattered on it.
      Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    📖 Recipe

    The funeral potatoes recipe has been baked and a spoon has scooped out a serving from the baker.

    Cheesy Cornflake Potatoes

    4.75 from 4 votes
    This easy cheesy potato casserole has a crispy cornflake topping. Otherwise known as "funeral potatoes," it is a popular holiday side dish or church potluck recipe.
    TOTAL TIME 50 minutes minutes
    PREP TIME 10 minutes minutes
    COOK TIME 40 minutes minutes
    YIELD 12 servings
    PIN RECIPE FOR LATER PRINT RECIPE NOW

    Ingredients
      

    • 20 ounces hash browns thawed
    • ½ onion minced
    • 2 cups sour cream
    • 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
    • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter divided
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or 2 shakes of hot sauce
    • 1 teaspoon seasoned or kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 2 cups corn flakes cereal

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    • In a large mixing bowl combine the hash browns, minced onion, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and shredded cheese.
    • Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and add it to the potato mixture along with the cayenne pepper or hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
    • Spread the potato mixture in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
    • Melt the second 4 tablespoons of butter in a microwave safe measuring cup. Stir the cornflakes into the butter with a fork until evenly combined. Sprinkle evenly over the potatoes.
    • Bake the potato casserole for 40 - 50 minutes. Serve warm.

    CROCK POT INSTRUCTIONS:

    • Prepare the potato base as directed. Spray a slowcooker pot with cooking spray. Spread the potatoes evenly in the pot. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 - 4 hours or on LOW for 5 - 6 hours.
    • Combine the cornflakes and butter as directed. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet.
    • Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes or until crispy.
    • Place them in a serving bowl with a spoon right next to the Crock Pot for guests to top their own servings of potatoes.

    Recipe Notes

    MAKE AHEAD TIPS:
    The casserole can be prepared 24 hours ahead of time and kept covered and refrigerated. Wait to combine the cornflakes and butter until just before baking. Let the potatoes thaw on the counter for 30 minutes before baking, top with fresh cornflakes topping, and bake.
    Alternatively, the entire casserole can be baked fully the day before and refrigerated. Let thaw for 30 minutes before reheating.
    COURSESide Dishes
    CUISINEAmerican
    AUTHORTiffany Dahle

    Save This Recipe to Your Recipe Box

    Find this delicious recipe next time you visit by saving it to your very own recipe box on my site. All your favorites stored in one easy place!

    SAVE THIS RECIPESaved!
    A photo collage shows the ingredients and the finished potato casserole.

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • A white bowl is filled with sliced zucchini squash covered in cheddar cheese and bread crumbs.
      Old Fashioned Squash Casserole
    • A white baking dish has baked zucchini gratin with breadcrumbs on top.
      Grated Zucchini Gratin
    • A white bowl is filled with classic macaroni salad that has onions, red pepper, and celery peeking out of the dressing.
      Southern Macaroni Salad
    • A serving of fried green tomatoes has a bowl of pimento cheese for topping.
      Southern Fried Green Tomatoes {Oven or Air Fryer}

    Reader Interactions

    Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

    More about me →

    What's Trending Now

    • A wicker picnic basket with white flowers and a bottle of water with fresh fruit sits on a picnic blanket outside.
      What to Pack for a Picnic: 45 Easy Recipes
    • The photo collage shows several one pot dinner ideas using a skillet or dutch oven.
      55 One Pot Dinner Ideas for Busy Nights
    • A bottle of Mike's Hot Honey is in a photo collage next to 3 recipes it could be used in.
      20 Hot Honey Recipes You Have to Try
    • A white bowl is filled with classic macaroni salad that has onions, red pepper, and celery peeking out of the dressing.
      Southern Macaroni Salad

    Popular

    • A freezer-friendly metal pan holds an 8x8-inch apple crisp with crumble topping.
      Freezer Friendly Apple Crisp
    • A stack of the best books for book club in 2023
      Best Book Club Picks 2023
    • A taco salad made with mini frozen tacos.
      10-minute Trader Joe's Meals
    • A photo collage shows a table set with ground beef taco fillings and tortilla shells on a pan next to alternative taco tuesday recipes ideas.
      30 Taco Tuesday Recipes for a Family Fiesta
    • A collage of easy dinners for busy nights.
      30 Quick Dinners for Busy Nights
    • A photo collages shows several easy dinner ideas kids could make.
      Easy Dinner Ideas for Yo-Yo Nights {You're On Your Own!}
    • A meal train dinner kit featuring supplies for tacos sits in an aluminum tray for delivery.
      30 Clever Meal Train Ideas with Recipes
    • Harry Potter themed snacks are in a platter with a witch hat sitting next to an open copy of a Harry Potter book.
      21 Harry Potter Snacks for Movie Night

    Footer

    As Seen On

    The Taste of Home Logo
    The Pioneer Woman Logo
    The Country Living Logo
    The Buzzfeed logo
    The Good Housekeeping Logo

    About

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Contact
    Privacy Policy
    Disclaimer
    Terms of Service

    Favorites

    Bread Recipes
    Soup Recipes
    Quick Dinner Recipes
    Harry Potter Fan Club
    Reading with Kids

    Holidays

    Easter Recipes
    Catholic Celebrations
    Thanksgiving Recipes
    Christmas Recipes

    Recipes

    Appetizers
    Dinners
    Main Dishes
    Salads
    Side Dishes
    Desserts
    Brunch
    Homemade Pantry

    ↑ back to top

    Copyright © 2023