Air Fryer Frozen Hash Browns: Quick, Crispy Breakfast

Hash browns are a popular breakfast side dish, but cooking them in a pan can result in a mushy mess. Air fryers offer a quick, easy, and hands-off way to cook frozen hash browns, with minimal clean-up required. They also produce perfectly crispy hash browns every time, without the need for large amounts of oil.

How long to cook frozen hash browns in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to make frozen hash browns crispy and delicious, and it only takes a few minutes! Here's a step-by-step guide on how long to cook frozen hash browns in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. This is an important step as it ensures even cooking and helps to get those hash browns nice and crispy. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer is between 370 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Prepare the Hash Browns

Take your frozen hash browns and spread them out in the air fryer basket or tray. It's important not to overcrowd the basket as this can affect the cooking process. A single layer of hash browns is best, and if you're using patties, leave a little space between each one. You can spray the hash browns with cooking oil at this point for some extra crispness, but it's not necessary as frozen hash browns usually already contain some vegetable oil.

Step 3: Air Fry

Now it's time to air fry those hash browns! Place the basket into the preheated air fryer and let them cook. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispiness and the type of hash browns you're using (shredded or patties).

For hash brown patties, air fry for about 7-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. If you like them extra crispy, you can air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes.

For shredded hash browns, air fry for about 17-23 minutes, flipping and moving them around after about 18 minutes. You can spritz them with a little oil at this point to keep them from drying out.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once your hash browns are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve them fresh and hot! You can enjoy them as a side dish with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They go well with eggs, bacon, sausage, or even ketchup or sour cream on the side.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Hash Browns in an Air Fryer:

• Use frozen shredded hash browns for the best results.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. It's important to allow air to circulate for even cooking.
• Flip the hash browns halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.
• If you want them extra crispy, add a few minutes to the cooking time.
• You can season the hash browns with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor.
• For easy cleanup and to prevent the hash browns from falling through the air fryer basket, use a parchment liner or silicone liner.

So, there you have it! By following these simple steps and adjusting the cooking time based on your preferences, you can enjoy delicious, crispy frozen hash browns straight from your air fryer.

How to get the perfect crispy texture

To get the perfect crispy texture for your frozen hash browns in an air fryer, there are several steps you can follow. Firstly, it is important to use frozen shredded hash browns to avoid soggy or mushy potatoes. You can use any brand of frozen shredded hash browns, but some recommend using those with only one ingredient: potatoes, to avoid additives and gluten.

Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to between 370-400°F. Place the hash browns in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, ensuring they are not stacked or overlapped, as this will prevent them from getting crispy. You can add a light spray of cooking oil, such as avocado or olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or other spices to taste.

Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer, but on average, it should take around 15-20 minutes for the hash browns to become crispy. Flip the hash browns halfway through the cooking process and spritz with a little more oil if needed. For extra crispy hash browns, you can add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Best oils to use

When making frozen hash browns in an air fryer, you don't need to use a lot of oil to get the best crispy texture. In fact, some recipes suggest that you don't need to add any extra oil at all, as frozen hash browns usually already contain some vegetable oil.

However, if you want to add a little extra, olive oil, avocado oil, and olive oil spray are all recommended. You can also use canola oil, vegetable oil, or even a cooking spray.

To apply the oil, you can either spritz the hash browns with an oil sprayer, or toss them in a bowl with the oil and spices before placing them in the air fryer.

Best frozen hash brown brands

Yes, you can cook frozen hash browns in an air fryer. In fact, it is the best way to cook them at home, giving them a crispy texture without the grease and extra oil of deep frying.

Frozen hash browns are a great time-saving option for a quick and easy breakfast. Here is a list of some of the best frozen hash brown brands available:

Kroger Country Style Shredded Hash Browns

Kroger's store-brand hash browns were ranked the best by Mashed.com. The shreds are separated, giving a crispy shell and a soft interior. They have a mellow potato flavour and are available in a 2-pound bag for $4.00.

Great Value Shredded Hash Browns

Walmart's Great Value shredded hash browns were ranked second-best by Mashed.com. The super-shredded pieces cook up loose, allowing more of the shreds to become crispy. They can be pressed together to form semi-patties, giving you the option to customise your hash browns. A 26-ounce bag is available for $3.48.

Glacier Gold Hash Brown Patties

This lesser-known brand was a pleasant surprise for Mashed.com. They have a rich flavour and a delicate, even texture. The 10-count pack was found at Albertsons.

Great Value Seasoned Hash Brown Patties

Great Value's seasoned hash brown patties were ranked third-best by Mashed.com. They have a light seasoning and a crispy, tender texture. A 10-patty box is available for less than $4.00.

Ore-Ida Shredded Hash Browns

Ore-Ida is a well-known brand of frozen vegetables and potatoes. Their shredded hash browns were ranked seventh-best by Mashed.com due to their soft texture, which made it challenging to cook them evenly. However, they may still be a good option for those who prefer mashed browns. A 30-ounce bag costs $5.50.

McCain Quick Cook Hash Brown Patties

McCain's hash brown patties are available in grocery stores and were ranked sixth-best by Mashed.com. They are convenient as they cook in nine minutes and don't require flipping. However, the taste and texture are similar to tater tots, which may not be preferable for some. A 12-patty bag is available at Albertsons for about $5.00.

Other brands worth mentioning include Lamb Weston, Trader Joe's, Giant, and Signature Select Country Style Shredded Hash Browns.

When cooking frozen hash browns in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 370-380°F, spread the hash browns in a single layer, spray with cooking oil, and cook for about 16-23 minutes, flipping halfway through.

How to reheat hash browns in an air fryer

Reheating hash browns in an air fryer is simple and quick. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Hash Browns

Preheat your air fryer to 370–380 °F. While the air fryer is heating up, take your frozen hash browns out of the freezer and let them sit for a couple of minutes. You can use shredded hash browns or patties, but they should be frozen, not thawed.

Step 2: Arrange the Hash Browns in the Air Fryer

Spread the hash browns in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. If you are using patties, do not let them overlap or stack. Leave a little space between each patty to ensure even cooking. For shredded hash browns, you can stack them slightly as they will shrink while cooking.

Step 3: Add Oil and Seasonings (Optional)

Lightly spray or spritz the hash browns with cooking oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil. You can also use an oil sprayer for this step. Then, sprinkle your desired seasonings on top. Recommended seasonings include garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika.

Step 4: Air Fry the Hash Browns

Close the air fryer and cook the hash browns for about 10 minutes. Then, open the air fryer and flip the hash browns. Close the air fryer again and cook for an additional 6 to 10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like them. For extra crispy hash browns, add another 2 to 4 minutes to the cooking time.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Once the hash browns are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer with a spatula and serve immediately. You can also crumble the hash brown patties for shredded hash browns if desired.

Tips:

• If you are using an air fryer with larger holes in the basket, consider using a silicone liner or parchment paper to prevent the hash browns from falling through and to make cleanup easier.
• If your hash browns are not crisping to your liking, give them a quick spritz of cooking spray halfway through the cooking process.
• Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, so adjust the timing as needed.

Frequently asked questions