Air Frying Frozen Hash Browns: A Quick Breakfast Solution

Cooking frozen hash brown patties in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and convenient way to make a delicious breakfast side dish. It's also a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it requires little to no oil. The air fryer gives you perfectly crispy hash browns without the grease, and it's faster than using an oven since there's no need to preheat.

How long to cook frozen hash brown patties in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen hash brown patties in an air fryer. In fact, it is best to cook them from frozen as they will have a better structure.

• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (194°C) or 400°F.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. You can also spritz a little oil on the hash browns directly and sprinkle salt to taste.
• Place the frozen hash brown patties in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap or stack, as this can cause soft or soggy spots.
• Air fry the hash browns for 5 minutes, then remove the basket and flip them over.
• Return the basket to the air fryer and air fry for another 4 minutes.
• Check the doneness of the hash browns. If needed, continue air frying for an additional 1 to 3 minutes, or until they are golden, crispy, and warmed through.
• Remove the hash brown patties from the air fryer and serve as desired.

The total cook time for the hash brown patties is around 10-12 minutes, but this may vary depending on your air fryer and how crispy you like your hash browns. Be sure to keep an eye on them, especially the first few times you try this method, and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Do you need to defrost hash brown patties before air frying?

You do not need to defrost hash brown patties before putting them in the air fryer. In fact, it is recommended that you cook them from frozen to help them maintain their structure.

To cook frozen hash brown patties in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to between 380°F and 400°F. Place the frozen hash brown patties in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer, ensuring they do not overlap. Spritz the patties with oil for a crispier texture, although this is not necessary as the patties usually contain enough oil already. Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the patties and air fry for another 2-8 minutes, depending on how crispy you like them.

Do you need oil to cook hash brown patties in an air fryer?

You can cook hash brown patties in an air fryer without using oil. The air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it doesn't require the use of heavy oil to achieve a crispy texture.

Most frozen hash brown patties are already coated in oil from their original cooking process, so adding more oil is unnecessary. Simply preheat your air fryer, place the frozen patties in a single layer, and cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. If you prefer your hash browns extra crispy, you can leave them in the air fryer for a few minutes longer.

However, if you find that your hash brown patties are becoming too dry, you can spritz them with a small amount of oil using a sprayer to add some moisture back into them. Additionally, you can lightly spritz the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil before adding the patties to ensure they don't stick.

How to season hash brown patties for the air fryer

Cooking frozen hash brown patties in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, crispy results. But what if you want to take things to the next level and season your hash brown patties? Here's how to do it:

Choosing Your Seasonings

The great thing about hash brown patties is that they are a blank canvas for a whole range of different seasonings. You can keep things classic with salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or dried herbs like thyme or rosemary. You can also experiment with adding grated onions to your mix.

Preparing Your Potatoes

If you're making your hash brown patties from scratch, you'll first need to grate your potatoes. Use a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment. Once your potatoes are grated, place them in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. This step is important, as it will help you achieve crispy hash brown patties.

Seasoning Your Hash Brown Mix

Once your potatoes are grated and dried, it's time to add your seasonings. Transfer your grated potatoes to a bowl and season them with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Mix well to ensure that your seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the potato mixture.

Shaping Your Patties

Take a handful of the seasoned potato mixture and press it firmly together to form a patty shape. You can make your patties as big or small, thick or thin, as you like. Just remember that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your patties.

Cooking Your Seasoned Hash Brown Patties

Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F (190°C for a few minutes). Lightly spray your hash brown patties with oil on both sides to promote crispiness. Then, place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Set the cook time for 10-12 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Checking for Doneness

After the initial cooking time, check your hash brown patties to see if they are done to your liking. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside. If they need a little longer, cook for a few additional minutes until they reach your desired level of crispiness.

Serving Your Seasoned Hash Brown Patties

Once your hash brown patties are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve them as a delicious side dish for breakfast or any meal. You can also get creative with your toppings, such as ketchup, hot sauce, sour cream, or chopped fresh herbs.

Tips for Perfect Hash Brown Patties

• Soak grated potatoes in water to remove excess starch and prevent browning.
• Thoroughly squeeze out moisture after soaking to prevent soggy hash browns.
• Don't be shy with the seasonings—potatoes can handle a lot of flavour.
• Preheating your air fryer is essential for a crispy exterior.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Experiment with different cooking times and temperatures to find what works best for your patties and your air fryer.

How to store leftover hash brown patties

If you have leftover hash brown patties, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. They can also be frozen for up to three months.

To freeze the patties, first allow them to cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes, or until solid. This will help to prevent them from sticking together. After this, wrap the patties tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil, or place them in an airtight freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

When you're ready to eat, you can reheat the patties directly from frozen. You can air fry them, pan-fry them, or bake them in the oven until heated through and crispy. You could also microwave them for a minute or two, but they won't be as crispy.

Frequently asked questions