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

Hash browns are a breakfast staple, but getting that perfect crispy texture can be tricky. Enter the air fryer—a fast, simple way to get wonderfully crispy hash browns with minimal effort.

Air-fried hash browns are a convenient and tasty solution for a quick breakfast or side dish. Frozen hash browns can go straight from the freezer into the air fryer, eliminating the need for peeling, grating, or prep work. The air fryer transforms them into crispy, golden treats with fluffy interiors, making them ideal for busy mornings or whenever you crave a savoury snack.

Not only do air fryers save time, but they also require less oil than traditional frying methods, resulting in a healthier dish. So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to make hash browns, give your air fryer a go!

Preheat your air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making hash browns. It helps to create a hot cooking environment, which is key to achieving the desired crispy texture of your hash browns. Here are some detailed instructions on how to preheat your air fryer for making hash browns:

First, ensure that your air fryer is clean and free of any residue from previous cooking sessions. Plug in your air fryer and turn it on. Adjust the temperature dial or settings to reach the desired temperature, which is typically between 350°F and 400°F (175°C to 200°C) for hash browns. Allow the air fryer to heat up for a few minutes until it reaches the set temperature.

Some air fryers may have a preheat setting, which you can select to initiate the preheating process. If your air fryer does not have this setting, simply turning it on will suffice. You can also refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions on preheating.

Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, it is ready for cooking. You can proceed with the next steps of your hash brown recipe, such as preparing the hash brown mixture, seasoning, and arranging them in the air fryer basket.

Remember that preheating your air fryer is crucial for achieving the best results with your hash browns. It ensures that your hash browns cook evenly and helps to create that desirable crispy texture. By following these instructions, you'll be on your way to making delicious, crispy hash browns in your air fryer!

Use frozen hash browns

Frozen hash browns are a great option for a quick and easy breakfast or side dish. They can be cooked in an air fryer in just a few minutes, and the results are crispy, golden-brown potatoes with a fluffy interior. Here's a step-by-step guide to making delicious frozen hash browns in your air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Frozen Hash Browns

Use your favourite brand of frozen hash browns for this recipe. Look for hash browns that have potatoes as the only ingredient to avoid any additives or gluten. You can also use shredded hash browns or hash brown patties, but the cooking time may vary slightly.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating between 370-400°F (180-200°C). This step is important to ensure your hash browns get crispy.

Step 3: Arrange the Hash Browns in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the frozen hash browns in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking and crispiness. If you are using hash brown patties, leave a little space between each patty. You can also use a silicone liner or parchment paper to line the air fryer basket and prevent sticking.

Step 4: Cook the Hash Browns

Cook the hash browns for 7-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. For hash brown patties, cook for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. For shredded hash browns, cook for 17-18 minutes, shaking or tossing every 5-6 minutes.

Step 5: Flip and Cook for a Few More Minutes

After the initial cooking time, flip the hash browns and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. You can also spritz the hash browns with a little oil at this point to keep them from drying out.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Once the hash browns are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and season with salt and pepper or your favourite seasonings. Serve immediately as a delicious side dish or breakfast accompaniment.

Tips for Perfect Frozen Hash Browns:

• Use frozen shredded hash browns for the best results. Fresh potatoes can become mushy and don't get as crispy.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
• Flip the hash browns halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
• Use a light coating of oil to help the hash browns crisp up, but don't use too much.
• Preheating the air fryer is essential for achieving crispy hash browns.
• You can reheat leftover hash browns in the air fryer at 350°F (175-180°C) for a few minutes until heated through and crispy.

Enjoy your perfectly crispy and delicious frozen hash browns!

Oil the air fryer basket

Oiling the air fryer basket is an important step in ensuring your hash browns don't stick and come out crispy.

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350-370˚F. Then, spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with a generous amount of olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking oil of your choice to fully coat the bottom and edges of the basket. You can also use an EVO Oil Sprayer for this step.

Now you're ready to spread your shredded frozen potatoes in a single layer in the basket. Spray the top of the potatoes generously with your chosen oil to fully coat them, and follow with your desired seasoning.

Season the hash browns

Seasoning your hash browns is a key step in the cooking process, as it adds flavour and ensures your hash browns are delicious. The seasoning can be added before or after cooking, depending on your preference.

The most common seasonings for hash browns are salt and pepper, to taste. However, you can also add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried herbs, cayenne pepper, or chilli powder. If you're feeling creative, you can even add cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar for a sweet twist.

If you're making homemade hash browns from scratch, you can add the seasonings to a bowl and mix them with the grated potatoes before placing them in the air fryer. This ensures an even coating of seasoning on each piece of potato.

If you're using frozen hash browns, you can sprinkle the seasonings on top of the potatoes after spraying them with oil and before placing them in the air fryer. This will give your hash browns a nice crispy coating of seasoning.

You can also season your hash browns after cooking. This is a good option if you want to add a fresh sprinkle of herbs or a generous crack of black pepper to your dish. Simply remove the hash browns from the air fryer, season to taste, and serve.

Experimenting with different seasonings is a great way to customise your hash browns and find your perfect flavour combination.

Reheat in the air fryer

If you have any leftover hash browns, you can reheat them in the air fryer to restore their crispy texture. Place the hash browns in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until heated through and crispy. You can also reheat them in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes, or use a microwave, though they may become a little mushy.

To reheat in the air fryer, follow these steps:

• Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
• Place the desired amount of hash browns in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
• Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
• Season with salt and pepper, or your desired seasonings, and serve immediately.

Reheating hash browns in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to restore their crispy texture and flavour. Enjoy your crispy hash browns!

Frequently asked questions