Air Fryer Shredded Potatoes: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Yes, you can put shredded potatoes in an air fryer! In fact, it's a common and easy way to make hash browns, a popular potato dish that can be eaten any time of the day. The air fryer yields extra crispy hash browns with minimal effort and mess.

Hash browns from scratch

Making hash browns from scratch in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect, crispy hash browns.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 medium potatoes (russets are recommended, but you can also use Yukon gold)
• Salt
• Oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter)
• Pepper
• Optional seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, or smoked paprika

Method:

• First, peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters. You can also leave the peel on if you prefer, but be sure to scrub the potatoes well first.
• Shred the potatoes using a box grater or a food processor with a shredder disk.
• Place the shredded potatoes in a colander and press or squeeze to release as much water out of them as possible. This step is important for achieving crispy hash browns.
• Dry the potatoes thoroughly using paper towels or a clean dish towel.
• Place the dried potatoes in a large bowl and add your chosen oil, along with salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Mix well.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (175-200°C). Brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
• Spread the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Air fry for about 5-10 minutes, then flip the potatoes. You can brush them with a little more oil at this point if desired.
• Air fry for another 2-10 minutes, depending on how brown and crispy you like your hash browns.
• Once cooked to your liking, remove the hash browns from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips:

• For extra crispy hash browns, cut the potatoes to an even thickness for even cooking.
• Making a cross in the potatoes before placing them in the air fryer can help with flipping and removing them.
• You can also make hash browns with sweet potatoes, following the same method.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer.

Frozen hash browns

How to Cook Frozen Hash Browns in an Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spritz the air fryer basket with a little cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. Place the frozen hash browns in the basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Spritz the tops of the hash browns with cooking spray or oil and season with salt and pepper, or your chosen herbs and spices.

Air fry for 10-20 minutes, flipping the hash browns over halfway through. For extra crispy hash browns, add a few minutes to the cooking time.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Check the hash browns regularly, especially the first time you cook them, to ensure they don't overcook.
• For frozen hash brown patties, spritz with oil and season with salt to taste.
• Frozen shredded hash browns can be cooked at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.

Fresh hash browns

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds of russet potatoes (about 2 medium-sized potatoes)
• 2 tablespoons of oil (vegetable oil, canola oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil)
• ½ teaspoon of sea salt
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon of onion powder
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper

Method

• First, peel and grate the potatoes.
• Place the shredded potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Allow them to soak for at least 10 minutes, but ideally for about 30 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes and remove as much excess water as possible. You can use a clean lint-free kitchen towel or cheesecloth to squeeze out the water.
• Pat the potatoes dry and place them in a large mixing bowl.
• Add the oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the potatoes. Mix well.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 360°F.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with a cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket, pressing them down lightly to form an even, single layer.
• For extra crispy hash browns, spray the top of the potatoes with cooking spray.
• Air fry for 14-18 minutes, or until the hash browns are golden brown and crispy.
• Serve immediately while hot and crispy!

Tips:

• Russet potatoes are best for hash browns as they have a drier, fluffier texture. However, Yukon gold potatoes can also be used and will yield crispier results.
• Soaking the potatoes helps to remove excess starch and ensures crispy hash browns.
• Make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly after soaking to remove as much moisture as possible.
• For a simple seasoning, use a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
• You can also add other seasonings like paprika, cayenne pepper, or herbs.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. It's important to have a single layer of potatoes so that they cook evenly and get crispy.
• If you want to make hash brown patties, use Russet potatoes as the strands will stick together more easily.

Storage and Reheating:

• Fresh hash browns are best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• To reheat, place the hash browns back in the air fryer at 360°F for about 5 minutes, or until crispy again.

Hash browns in the oven

Ingredients

• 20-22 oz frozen hash browns, shredded
• 3 tablespoons olive oil or vegan butter, melted
• 1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (optional)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional)

Method

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Cover a sheet pan with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray, or use parchment paper.
• In a bowl, add your frozen hash browns, shredded cheese (if using), onions, and seasoning. Toss to mix.
• Now add olive oil (or vegan butter) to the mixture and mix well, trying to spread the oil through the mixture.
• Lastly, add melted butter (if using) and mix again.
• Spread the mixture out on your lined baking sheet in an even layer.
• Bake in the oven for 28-45 minutes, until the hash browns are crispy and golden.

Tips

• If you are using foil, spray it generously with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• If you prefer, you can use fresh potatoes and shred them yourself. If you do this, it is recommended that you soak the shredded potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes, then dry them thoroughly before continuing with the recipe.
• For extra crispy hash browns, you can broil them for a few minutes at the end of the cooking time.

Reheating hash browns

Storing Hash Browns:

Before reheating, it is important to properly store leftover hash browns. Place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for 3-5 days.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

When you are ready to reheat, start by preheating your air fryer. Set the temperature to between 350°F and 390°F. The exact temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.

Place Hash Browns in the Air Fryer:

Take the desired amount of hash browns out of the refrigerator and place them in the air fryer basket. Spread them into a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and sogginess.

Reheat:

Cook the hash browns for 4-6 minutes at 350°F or until they are warmed through and crispy. If you are reheating a larger portion, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly.

Serve:

Once the hash browns are heated to your desired temperature and crispness, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions