Air-Fryer Hash Browns: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Hash browns are a breakfast staple, but getting that perfect crispy texture can be tricky. Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, yielding extra crispy hash browns with less oil and mess. Frozen hash browns can go straight from the freezer into the air fryer, and homemade hash browns can be made from scratch with just a few simple ingredients. The air fryer's high temperature and air circulation ensure that hash browns come out perfectly crispy every time.

Air fryer temperature and time

The cooking time and temperature for air fryer hash browns vary depending on the type of hash browns being cooked, the brand of air fryer, and personal preferences for crispiness. However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed.

For frozen shredded hash browns, preheat your air fryer to around 350-370 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 20-23 minutes. It is recommended to flip the hash browns and spritz them with oil about 5 minutes before the end of the cooking time.

For frozen hash brown patties, preheat your air fryer to around 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 14-16 minutes. It is recommended to flip the patties halfway through the cooking time.

It's important to note that different air fryer models may require adjustments to the cooking time and temperature, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your hash browns while they're cooking to avoid overcooking or burning.

Additionally, it is generally advised to cook hash browns from frozen rather than thawed, as this helps achieve a crispier texture.

Ingredients

Hash browns can be made in an air fryer using either frozen shredded potatoes or frozen hash brown patties.

Frozen Shredded Potatoes

• Frozen shredded hash browns
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Oil (e.g. canola oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil)
• Onion powder or paprika (optional)

Frozen Hash Brown Patties

• Frozen hash brown patties
• Oil (e.g. avocado oil, olive oil, or cooking spray)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Garlic powder and onion powder (optional)

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes

First, decide whether you want to use frozen or fresh potatoes. If using frozen, you can skip this step. If using fresh, peel and grate the potatoes. Then, add the shredded potatoes to a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Allow the potatoes to soak for at least 10 minutes, but ideally about 30 minutes. This helps to remove the excess starch so your hash browns won't be sticky or gummy.

Step 2: Remove excess water

After soaking the potatoes, drain and rinse them well. Transfer the shredded potatoes to a clean lint-free kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Pat the potatoes dry and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Season the potatoes

Season the potatoes with your choice of oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as paprika or dried herbs.

Step 4: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F (177-204°C). The ideal temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model, so you may need to adjust accordingly.

Step 5: Place the potatoes in the air fryer

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single, even layer. Make sure they are not overlapping or stacked, as this will affect the cooking time and crispiness. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Air fry the potatoes

Air fry the potatoes for about 10 minutes, then use a spatula to divide them into four equal sections and flip each section carefully. Air fry for an additional 10 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy. If you prefer your hash browns extra crispy, you can add an additional 2-4 minutes to the cooking time.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy

Remove the hash browns from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can serve them as flat patties or crumble them for shredded hash browns. Enjoy!

Tips:

• If using frozen hash browns, there is no need to add oil as they already have some on them. However, if they are not crisping to your liking, you can give them a quick spritz of cooking spray halfway through cooking.
• If using fresh potatoes, it is important to soak them to remove excess starch. This step cannot be skipped!
• You can serve your hash browns with a variety of toppings and sauces, such as ketchup, syrup, hot sauce, grilled onions, peppers, bacon, or cheese.

Tips and tricks

Pre-cooking

Before you start cooking, it's important to prepare your air fryer and the hash browns. Preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, just turn it on for a few minutes to heat up.

Use frozen shredded hash browns for best results. Freshly shredded potatoes can be used, but they will need to be soaked in water to remove excess starch, rinsed, dried, and formed into patties before cooking. Frozen hash browns are also quicker and easier to prepare.

Cooking

When cooking, ensure the hash browns are in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket. This will ensure they cook evenly and don't become soggy. Avoid stacking or overcrowding the basket.

Spray the basket with a little cooking spray, such as avocado oil, to prevent sticking. You can also spray the hash browns with cooking oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste.

Cook for around 10-23 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and desired crispiness. Flip the hash browns halfway through the cooking time. For extra crispy hash browns, add an additional 2-4 minutes to the cooking time.

Post-cooking

Hash browns are best served immediately while hot and crispy. However, if you have leftovers, let them cool and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350-400°F for 4-6 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.

Troubleshooting

If your hash browns aren't getting crispy, there may be too much moisture. Ensure you cook them from frozen and don't add any extra oil. Also, make sure your air fryer is preheated before adding the hash browns.

Serving

Hash browns are a versatile side dish that can be served at any time of day. They're a great breakfast side, especially alongside eggs, bacon, avocado, and fresh fruit. You can also serve them with a main meal, such as meatloaf, bean chili, or sandwiches.

Get creative with your toppings and sauces! Try crumbled hash browns in a casserole, or serve them in a sandwich with grilled onions, peppers, bacon, and cheese. For a sweeter option, top with fresh fruit or syrup.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage Instructions:

Leftover hash browns can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Most sources recommend storing them for up to 3-5 days, while one source suggests they can be stored for up to 4 days.

It is not recommended to refreeze cooked hash browns that were previously frozen.

Reheating Instructions:

To reheat your hash browns, use the air fryer whenever possible as it will help maintain the crispy texture. Place the cold hash browns in the air fryer at around 350-370°F (180-190°C) for about 3-6 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy.

You can also reheat hash browns in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes, or in the microwave, although they may become slightly mushy.

Frequently asked questions