Air-Fryer Hash Browns: Quick, Crispy, Golden Treats

Hash browns are a beloved breakfast side dish, but they can be time-consuming to prepare and tend to require a lot of oil. Air fryers offer a convenient, faster, and healthier alternative to frying hash browns, yielding a crispy and evenly cooked result. Frozen hash browns, shredded potatoes, and diced potatoes can all be cooked in an air fryer, with the option to add various seasonings to elevate the flavor.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature and timing for cooking hash browns in an air fryer depend on the type of potatoes and hash browns you are using. Here is a detailed guide:

Frozen Hash Browns:

If you are using frozen hash browns, there is no need to preheat the air fryer. Simply place the desired amount of frozen hash browns in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single, even layer. Avoid overcrowding, as this can lead to sogginess. Spray the hash browns with a generous amount of cooking spray or oil to ensure crispiness and prevent sticking.

Air fry the hash browns at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. For extra crispiness, open the air fryer halfway through the cooking time and stir the hash browns gently to ensure even cooking. Then, continue air-frying for another 6-8 minutes.

Fresh Hash Browns:

For fresh hash browns, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes. Peel and grate your desired amount of potatoes, and then soak and dry them thoroughly to remove excess starch. Season the potatoes with your desired spices and a small amount of oil or cooking spray.

Spread the seasoned potatoes in an even layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for about 8 minutes. Open the air fryer, stir the potatoes gently, and then continue cooking for an additional 6-8 minutes, or until they reach your desired crispiness.

Reheating Hash Browns:

To reheat leftover hash browns, simply place them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4-6 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy again.

Dehydrated Hash Browns:

Dehydrated hash browns require rehydration before air frying. Open the carton and fill it with hot tap water to the indicated line. Wait 12 minutes, and then pour off the excess water. Preheat a non-stick skillet to medium heat, and pour in the rehydrated hash browns, smoothing them out. Drizzle cooking oil over the potatoes, ensuring they are well-coated.

Transfer the hash browns to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Air fry at your desired temperature and time, following the general guidelines above for fresh or frozen hash browns.

Tips for Crispy Hash Browns:

• Use a non-stick spray or oil to prevent sticking and promote crispiness.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent sogginess.
• Stir the hash browns halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• Adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of crispiness.

Frozen vs fresh potatoes

Hash browns are a breakfast favourite and can be made in an air fryer with fresh or frozen potatoes. While frozen potatoes are convenient and save time, fresh potatoes allow you to control the ingredients and seasonings used.

Frozen Potatoes

Frozen potatoes are a convenient option as they are already parboiled or blanched and can be cooked directly from frozen. They are also quick and easy to prepare, making them a perfect choice when short on time. Frozen potatoes are usually pre-seasoned, but you can add additional seasonings like salt and pepper to suit your taste. It is important to note that frozen potatoes should not be thawed and then refrozen, so only cook the amount you need.

Fresh Potatoes

Using fresh potatoes allows you to control the ingredients and seasonings used in your hash browns. To prepare fresh potatoes, start by peeling and grating them. Soak the grated potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch, then rinse and dry them thoroughly. Add your desired seasonings, such as paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and mix well.

Air Frying

Once your potatoes are prepared, whether frozen or fresh, the cooking process in the air fryer is similar. Preheat your air fryer if desired, then spray the basket with a non-stick coating or oil to prevent sticking. Spread the potatoes in an even layer, ensuring they do not overlap to avoid sogginess. Air fry at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F for 8 to 20 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer's brand, wattage, and the amount of potatoes you are cooking.

Potato varieties

Hash browns are a popular breakfast side dish that can be cooked in an air fryer for a crispy texture. While the ingredients for this dish are simple, the type of potatoes used can make a difference in the final texture.

There are two main categories of potatoes: starchy and waxy. Starchy potatoes, like Russets, have a lower moisture content than waxy potatoes, which makes them ideal for browning and achieving a crispy texture. Russets are classic Idaho potatoes with a textured, brown skin. The trade-off with using waxy potatoes is that you won't get the same lacy, crunchy edges. However, waxy potatoes like red new potatoes hold their shape better due to their higher moisture content.

If you want your hash browns to be extra crispy, opt for starchy potatoes like Russets or Idahoes. These potatoes will produce ultra-crispy results. If you're looking for a potato that will stick together more easily in the pan, go for a waxy potato like new potatoes, Yukon Golds, or red potatoes. These potatoes have more moisture and will hold together better, but they won't crisp up as nicely as starchy potatoes.

Yukon potatoes are also a good option for air fryer hash browns as they yield excellent results. They are smaller than Russets and have a waxy skin instead of a hard brown skin.

Sweet potatoes can also be used to make hash browns, although they are less starchy than Russets. Their low-moisture content makes them ideal for achieving crispness, especially when sprinkled thinly in the pan. The sweetness of the hash browns can be balanced out with a splash of acidic hot sauce.

To ensure crispy hash browns, it is essential to remove as much moisture from the potatoes as possible before frying. This can be done by rinsing and drying the grated potatoes or using a potato ricer to squeeze out the excess moisture.

Oil and seasoning

Oil is an essential ingredient in achieving the perfect level of crispiness in your hash browns. It also helps to prevent the potatoes from sticking to the basket of your air fryer. Avocado oil, olive oil, and cooking spray are all good options. You can either brush the basket with oil or spray it on. If you are using a spray, ensure that you are spraying both the basket and the potatoes generously so that the oil fully coats the bottom and edges of the basket and the potatoes themselves.

When it comes to seasoning, the most popular choice is salt. Other seasonings that you can use include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper, and cayenne. You can also add herbs like rosemary or parsley. If you want to add a little kick to your hash browns, you can try using a Creole seasoning blend.

Serving suggestions

Hash browns cooked in an air fryer are a versatile dish that can be served in numerous ways. They are a great breakfast or brunch option, and can be served as a side or incorporated into other dishes.

A traditional breakfast combination is to serve hash browns with eggs, bacon, and toast. You can also add sausages, and a dollop of sour cream to elevate the dish. If you want to keep things simple, just serve them with some over-easy or sunny-side-up eggs. For a healthier option, you can serve them with avocado toast, or fresh vegetables.

If you want to get creative, you can incorporate hash browns into a breakfast burrito, or as a base for a loaded breakfast bowl. Top your hash browns with cheese, sour cream, avocado, salsa, or jalapeños. You can also add cheese to the potato mixture before cooking for some gooey, melty goodness. For a herby twist, incorporate dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley into the seasoning mixture.

Frequently asked questions