Air Fryer Hash Browns: Can You Make Them?

Yes, you can cook hash browns in an air fryer! They're a popular breakfast side and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare them. They're also a versatile food that can be enjoyed at lunch or dinner.

You can use frozen or fresh shredded hash browns, but frozen hash browns are said to crisp up better than fresh potatoes because they contain less moisture. If you're using fresh potatoes, it's important to soak and dry them first to remove the excess starch, which can make them sticky and prevent crispness.

To cook hash browns in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer, add a single layer of hash browns, and spray with oil. Then, simply air fry for around 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, and spritzing with a little more oil if needed.

How to make hash browns in an air fryer from scratch

Ingredients:

• 3-4 medium potatoes (Yukon gold or russet potatoes)
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder (optional)
• Cayenne (optional)

Instructions:

• Peel the potatoes.
• Shred the potatoes using a box grater, food processor, or shredder.
• Soak the shredded potatoes in a large bowl of ice-cold water to remove the starch.
• Drain the potatoes and remove as much water as possible by squeezing the shredded potatoes with paper towels.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (or 175°C) for 5 minutes.
• Brush the air fryer basket with oil.
• Toss the dried shredded potatoes with oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add cayenne and onion powder, if desired.
• Place the seasoned shredded potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket.
• Air fry at 350°F (or 175°C) for about 5 minutes.
• Flip the potatoes and lightly brush with oil.
• Air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the desired level of browning is achieved.
• Serve immediately.

Tips:

• Frozen hash browns can be used instead of fresh potatoes, but be sure to thaw them before placing them in the air fryer.
• For extra crispy hash browns, cook for an additional 2-4 minutes.
• If you don't have olive oil or avocado oil, other types of cooking oil such as canola oil or vegetable oil can also be used.
• For easier cleanup and to prevent food from falling through the basket, use a parchment liner or silicone liner.

Why you'll love this air fryer method

Air-frying hash browns is a quick and simple way to get wonderfully crispy hash browns. They are golden brown, crispy, and perfect with eggs and hot sauce. They are also a healthier option than deep-fried hash browns as they use much less oil.

The air fryer method is also less messy and requires less effort than other methods. You can simply toss the hash browns in the air fryer and let them cook without having to move them around or flip them too much. This makes it a perfect hands-off recipe when you have other things on the stove or in the oven.

Air-fried hash browns are also a great option for a quick breakfast side that the whole family will love. You can use pre-made frozen hash browns or make them from scratch with freshly grated potatoes. Either way, you'll end up with delicious, crispy hash browns that are hard to resist!

Some additional benefits of using an air fryer for hash browns include:

• The ability to cook hash browns in a single layer, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.
• The option to add your favourite seasonings, such as garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, or paprika.
• The convenience of storing and reheating leftovers in the air fryer.

Air fryer hash browns ingredients

Air fryer hash browns are a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast side dish. They are also a great snack and can be served at any time of the day.

Ingredients:

To make air fryer hash browns, you will need the following ingredients:

• Frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (freshly shredded potatoes can also be used, but frozen is recommended for crispiness)
• Olive oil or cooking/vegetable/avocado oil spray
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Optional ingredients:

• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Diced onions

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F.
• Spread the frozen hash browns in a single layer inside the air fryer basket.
• Spray the hash browns with oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper (and any optional seasonings) to taste.
• Air fry for a total of 20-23 minutes, flipping the hash browns and spritzing them with a little oil about 5 minutes before they are done.
• Serve immediately, and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Tips:

• For best results, use frozen shredded hash brown potatoes and do not thaw them before cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. It is recommended to stack the hash browns slightly as they will shrink while cooking.
• Flip the hash browns a few minutes before they are done to ensure even cooking.
• Use any type of oil you prefer.
• Use a parchment liner to prevent a mess and stop small pieces from falling through the basket.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat in the air fryer.

How to cook frozen hash browns in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen shredded hash browns
• Oil (e.g. olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Utensils

• Air fryer
• EVO Oil Sprayer or similar
• Parchment liner (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350–380 °F.
• Spread the hash browns in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. Spray the hash browns with oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Air fry for 10–23 minutes, flipping halfway through. You may want to spritz the hash browns with a little more oil at this point.
• Serve immediately.

Tips

• Use frozen shredded hash browns for best results.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer.
• Use a parchment liner to prevent a mess and stop small pieces from falling through the basket.
• If you're using an air fryer with large holes in the basket, use a silicone liner or parchment paper to stop the hash browns from falling through.
• You can add extra spices like onion powder or paprika for a more seasoned flavour.

Tips for cooking air fryer hash browns

Air fryer hash browns are a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast or dinner side. Here are some tips to ensure you get perfect results:

Use frozen shredded hash browns

For the best results, use frozen shredded hash browns. Freshly shredded potatoes can be used, but they will need to be dried out thoroughly first. Frozen hash browns are also much quicker and easier to prepare. Simply take them straight from the freezer and put them into the air fryer.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer

Make sure the hash browns are in an even layer in the air fryer basket and do not stack them. Overcrowding will cause sogginess and prevent them from crisping up. If you are making a large batch, cook them in multiple batches.

Flip them regularly

For even cooking, flip the hash browns regularly. This will ensure they cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.

Use oil

Coat the hash browns in a thin layer of oil before cooking. This will help them to crisp up and turn a golden brown colour. It will also prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.

Season generously

Season the hash browns with salt and pepper, as well as garlic powder and onion powder if you have them. You can also add cayenne for a spicy kick.

Reheat in the air fryer

If you have any leftovers, reheat them in the air fryer at 350-370˚F for 4-6 minutes. They will turn crispy and golden again in no time!

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