Air Fryer Hack: Frozen Hash Browns, Quick And Crispy!

Cooking frozen hash brown patties in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, crispy, and fluffy breakfast. With an air fryer, you can achieve the perfect combination of a golden, crunchy exterior and a soft, tender interior in less than 15 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your hash brown patties will cook evenly and efficiently. By preheating your air fryer to 400°F, you create the optimal environment for achieving that desirable golden, crispy exterior and fluffy, tender interior. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to guide you through the process:

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Set the Temperature: Start by setting your air fryer to 400°F. This temperature setting is crucial for achieving the perfect crispiness.
• Allow Time for Preheating: Give your air fryer a few minutes to reach the desired temperature. The preheating time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, but it usually takes around 5 minutes.
• Prepare the Basket: While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the basket. Remove the basket and lightly spritz or spray the bottom with a neutral, non-aerosol, or oil-based cooking spray. This step helps prevent sticking and ensures that your hash brown patties will release easily.
• Don't Overcrowd: When placing the frozen hash brown patties into the basket, ensure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This arrangement allows for proper air circulation and even cooking. If you need to cook more patties, it's best to work in batches.
• Maintain Temperature: Once the air fryer reaches 400°F, maintain this temperature throughout the cooking process. Adjust the settings as needed to keep the air fryer at the desired temperature.
• Monitor the Process: Keep an eye on your hash brown patties during cooking. Depending on your air fryer model and the size of the patties, the cooking time may vary slightly. Check on them regularly to ensure they don't overcook or undercook.
• Flip Midway: After a few minutes of cooking, use a spatula to flip the patties. This ensures even cooking and browning on both sides.
• Adjust Timing as Needed: The total cooking time for your hash brown patties will likely be around 10-12 minutes. However, don't rely solely on time. Keep a close eye on them, and adjust the timing as needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness.
• Don't Stack: Avoid stacking or overlapping the patties during cooking. This ensures that hot air circulates effectively and results in evenly cooked, crispy patties.
• Serve Immediately: For the best texture and taste, serve your hash brown patties immediately after cooking. They are at their crispiest and most delicious straight out of the air fryer.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• No Need to Thaw: Cook your hash brown patties directly from frozen. There's no need to thaw or bring them to room temperature before placing them in the air fryer.
• Oil Usage: Most frozen hash brown patties already contain oil, so additional oil is usually unnecessary. However, if you prefer a crispier texture, you can lightly spritz or spray the tops of the patties with oil before cooking.
• Salt to Taste: Depending on your preference, you can sprinkle salt on the patties after cooking. This adds a flavourful touch, especially if you're aiming for a fast-food-style taste.
• Customise Your Batch Size: The number of hash brown patties you cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer. Remember not to overcrowd the basket, and cook in batches if needed.
• Clean the Air Fryer: After cooking, let the air fryer cool down and clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Regular cleaning ensures that your air fryer remains in optimal condition.

Use cooking spray or oil

While it is not necessary to use oil or cooking spray when cooking frozen hash brown patties in an air fryer, it can help to make them crispier. If you're after that golden, crispy texture, then it's worth adding a little oil or spray.

Some frozen hash brown patties already contain oil, so check the ingredients before adding more. If you do decide to add oil, use a neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. You only need a small amount, and it's best to use a spray to ensure an even coating.

If you don't want to use oil, you can simply spritz the hash browns with a little water before cooking. This will help them develop a crispy texture.

It's also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. The hot air needs to be able to circulate around the patties to cook them evenly and make them crispy. Cook the hash browns in a single layer, and if your air fryer is small, you may need to cook them in batches.

Finally, don't forget to preheat your air fryer. This will help ensure your hash browns cook evenly and achieve the perfect crispiness.

Cook for 10-12 minutes

So, you've got your air fryer preheated and you've placed your frozen hash brown patties inside—now what? Well, now you wait. Depending on your desired level of crispiness, you'll want to leave the patties in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes.

It's important to keep an eye on your hash browns while they're cooking, especially if this is one of your first few times making them. Different air fryers will cook at different rates, so you'll want to make sure your hash browns don't come out under- or over-cooked.

If you're cooking a larger batch of hash browns, you'll also want to keep in mind that you shouldn't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cooking in batches is recommended to ensure that your hash browns cook evenly and come out crispy.

While you're waiting, you can prepare any dips or seasonings you'd like to enjoy with your hash browns. Some popular dips include ketchup, hot sauce, cashew sour cream, avocado crema, and vegan BBQ sauce. As for seasonings, flaky salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are all tasty options.

Once your hash browns are golden brown and crispy, they're ready to be enjoyed! Serve them up as a delicious side dish or snack, and enjoy that crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

Flip the patties halfway through

Flipping the hash brown patties halfway through the cooking process is an important step to ensure even cooking and browning. Depending on the air fryer model and the desired level of crispiness, the total cooking time can vary from 8 to 15 minutes. Flipping the patties after the first half of the cooking time allows for even heat distribution and browning on both sides of the patties.

When using an air fryer, it is crucial to avoid overcrowding the basket. This ensures that hot air can circulate properly and cook the food evenly. Therefore, it is recommended to cook the hash brown patties in batches if you are preparing a large quantity.

Additionally, it is not necessary to defrost the hash brown patties before placing them in the air fryer. Cooking them straight from frozen yields the best results. Simply place the desired number of patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature, usually around 400° Fahrenheit, and let them cook for the recommended time.

For optimal results, it is suggested to spritz or spray the hash brown patties with a small amount of oil, such as avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. This adds to the crispiness of the patties and enhances the flavor. However, this step is optional, as the patties may already contain oil from their original cooking method.

In conclusion, flipping the hash brown patties halfway through the cooking process is a crucial step to ensure even cooking and browning. By following the recommended cooking instructions and making adjustments based on your air fryer model and preferences, you can achieve perfectly cooked and crispy hash brown patties every time.

Serve with salt, ketchup, or other seasonings

There are many ways to season your air fryer hash brown patties. The simplest option is to sprinkle salt on the patties. You can also add freshly ground black pepper. If you want to add more flavour, you can sprinkle on some garlic powder or onion powder. If you like spicy food, you can add some paprika or chilli powder.

You can also dip your hash browns in ketchup, hot sauce, cashew sour cream, avocado crema, or vegan BBQ sauce.

Frequently asked questions