Air-Fryer Hash Browns: Shredded, Cooked, Crispy

Hash browns are a popular breakfast side dish, but they can be tricky to get right. Soggy, mushy, or overcooked hash browns are a common problem, but one solution is to use an air fryer. Air fryers are a great way to cook shredded hash browns, yielding a crispy exterior and tender interior. They are also healthier than deep-fried hash browns, requiring less oil, and are faster and less messy than cooking them on a stovetop.

Cooking Shredded Hash Browns in an Air Fryer

Hash brown ingredients and preparation

Hash browns are a popular breakfast side dish and can be made in an air fryer for a faster, healthier, and crispier result. The key to achieving the perfect hash browns is to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking.

Ingredients

The main ingredient in hash browns is potato. Russet potatoes are the most common choice due to their starch content, which allows them to crisp up better than waxy potatoes. Yukon potatoes are also a good option as they have slightly less starch, resulting in hash browns that are more individual crispy potato wisps.

Other ingredients include:

• Butter or oil (avocado oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or bacon grease)
• Salt and pepper
• Onion powder or fresh onions
• Garlic powder

Preparation

The potatoes should be peeled and grated using a box grater or food processor. It is important to remove excess moisture from the grated potatoes, which can be done by squeezing them with paper towels, using a potato ricer, or soaking them in ice water for 20 minutes and then draining and squeezing out the water.

For air fryer hash browns, preheat the air fryer to 350-375˚F. Spread the potatoes in a thin, even layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring it is well-coated with oil or non-stick spray. Spritz the potatoes with oil and add seasonings, then cook for 8 minutes. Open the basket, stir the potatoes gently, and break up any clumps. Close the basket and cook for another 6-8 minutes until crispy and golden brown.

For stovetop hash browns, melt butter or heat oil in a skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the shredded potatoes and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl and let them cool. Add the remaining ingredients and combine until a thick dough forms. Shape the mixture into rectangular hash browns and refrigerate for at least two hours. Add more oil to the pan and cook the hash browns for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden. Drain on a wire rack to remove excess oil.

Air fryer settings and cooking time

The cooking time and temperature settings for shredded hash browns in an air fryer vary across different sources and depend on the type of potato used. Here is a summary of the various methods:

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Spread the shredded potatoes in an even layer in the air fryer basket. Spray or toss the potatoes with olive oil or avocado oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Air fry for 10 minutes. Flip the hash browns and air fry for another 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Spread the hash browns in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray the hash browns with cooking oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Air fry for about 15 minutes. Flip the hash browns, spritz them with a little more oil, and air fry for another 6 to 8 minutes.
• Preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Toss the frozen hash browns with olive oil, melted butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Spread the hash browns in an even layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes. Flip the hash browns and cook for an additional 7 to 10 minutes, or until the desired crispness is achieved.
• Preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Spread the hash browns in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray the hash browns with cooking oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Air fry for about 23 minutes. After about 18 minutes, flip the hash browns, spritz them with more oil, and continue cooking.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spread the hash browns in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes. Flip and spritz the hash browns with avocado oil, then cook for an additional 7 to 10 minutes or until the desired crispness is achieved.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Spread the hash browns in the air fryer basket. Cook for 16 to 18 minutes. Stir the hash browns halfway through to ensure even cooking.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific air fryer model and the desired level of crispness. Additionally, some recipes recommend using frozen shredded hash browns, while others suggest starting with freshly grated potatoes.

Serving suggestions

Shredded hash browns cooked in an air fryer are a versatile dish that can be served at breakfast, brunch, or as a side for lunch or dinner.

For breakfast, air fryer shredded hash browns can be served with eggs, cooked in a variety of ways, including over easy, sunny side up, scrambled, or as an omelette. They can also be served with bacon, sausage, toast, and fresh fruit. For a vegan option, try tofu scrambled eggs or a tofu quiche.

For brunch, air fryer shredded hash browns can be served with an omelette, bacon, avocado toast, bagels, or corned beef hash. They also pair well with sweet cream pancakes, French toast sticks, or a bagel breakfast casserole.

As a side for lunch or dinner, air fryer shredded hash browns can accompany a range of dishes, including burgers, chicken sausage, Italian sausage, chicken cutlets, or steak. They can also be served as a side with meatloaf, bean chili, lentil sloppy joes, jackfruit pulled pork sandwiches, or soup.

For a more indulgent option, load your air fryer shredded hash browns with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, bacon bits, hot sauce, or guacamole. They can also be served with a dipping sauce on the side.

Air fryer shredded hash browns are best enjoyed fresh and hot, straight out of the air fryer, but leftovers can be stored and reheated.

Reheating hash browns

Shredded hash browns can be cooked in an air fryer and the process is quite simple. You can use frozen shredded hash browns or shred fresh potatoes yourself. If you are shredding fresh potatoes, you can freeze them and then use them for the recipe.

To cook shredded hash browns in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F. Spread the hash browns in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. Spray the hash browns with cooking oil and sprinkle them with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Air fry them for about 18 minutes, flip and move them around, spritzing them with a little more oil, and then air fry for another 5 minutes.

Now, to reheat hash browns, the process is quite similar. Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F and cook the hash browns for 3 to 5 minutes. You can use a silicone liner or a parchment round to prevent the hash browns from falling through the basket and to help with cleanup.

Some other ways to reheat hash browns include using a toaster oven, a regular oven, a pan, or a griddle. However, it is best to avoid using a microwave, as it can make them soggy.

Health benefits of hash browns

Shredded hash browns can be cooked in an air fryer, and many people prefer this method because of how crispy they get. They get crispier than cooking them on the stove or in the oven, they cook much faster, and they use much less oil than deep frying.

Now, onto the health benefits of hash browns. Potatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B. However, it is important to note that the cooking method can impact the nutritional value. For example, boiling potatoes can cause water-soluble vitamins like vitamin B, vitamin C, and potassium to leach out into the water. Frying can further deplete the micronutrient content. Therefore, while potatoes themselves have health benefits, the way they are prepared for hash browns may reduce these benefits.

That being said, hash browns are not necessarily unhealthy, especially if cooked in an air fryer instead of deep frying. Air-fried hash browns can be part of a balanced diet, and they are a good option for a warm, filling meal. Additionally, you can add vegetables like broccoli or tomatoes to your hash browns to increase their nutritional value.

When it comes to the type of potatoes used for hash browns, Yukon potatoes are recommended as they have slightly less starch than Russet potatoes, resulting in crispier hash browns. The lower starch content also helps keep the strands of potatoes separated, which is ideal for those who prefer their hash browns to be like individual wisps of crispy potato.

Frequently asked questions