Air Fryer Hash Browns: Quick, Crispy Potato Delight

Hash browns are a breakfast staple, but the traditional stovetop or oven methods can be time-consuming and often lead to unevenly cooked potatoes. Enter the air fryer—a faster, easier, and healthier way to cook hash browns to crispy perfection. Whether you're using frozen hash browns or making them from scratch, the air fryer yields delicious results with minimal effort.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for air-frying hash browns depend on the type of potatoes and the style of hash browns you want to make. Here is a guide to help you achieve the perfect hash browns:

Air Frying Frozen Hash Browns

Frozen hash browns are convenient and easy to work with. Here's what you need to do:

• Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F.
• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Place the frozen hash browns in a single layer in the basket. If you are cooking shredded hash browns, you can stack them slightly as they will shrink during cooking.
• Lightly spray or brush the hash browns with oil. This helps them crisp up and turn golden brown. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.
• Sprinkle your desired seasonings on the hash browns. This could include salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder.
• Air fry for about 15-20 minutes for shredded hash browns or patties. For diced potatoes, air fry for about 18-20 minutes.
• Halfway through the cooking time, flip or toss the hash browns to ensure even cooking.
• If needed, add a few more minutes of cooking time until the hash browns reach your desired level of doneness.

Air Frying Fresh Hash Browns

Making hash browns from scratch with fresh potatoes requires a few extra steps, but the results are worth it!

• Peel the potatoes or scrub them thoroughly if you plan to leave the peel on.
• Grate or shred the potatoes using a box grater or shredder.
• Soak the shredded potatoes in cold water for about 20 minutes to remove the starch. This step is important for achieving crispy hash browns.
• Drain the potatoes and rinse them with cold water.
• Dry the potatoes very well using paper towels or a clean dish towel. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
• Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika to taste.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
• Spread the seasoned potatoes in an even layer in the basket. It's okay if they overlap slightly.
• Air fry for a total of 14-20 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.
• Halfway through the cooking time, gently stir or flip the hash browns to ensure even cooking.

With these temperature and timing guidelines, you'll be able to make delicious, crispy hash brown potatoes in your air fryer every time!

How to prepare potatoes

Preparing potatoes for hash browns in an air fryer is simple. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Potatoes

The type of potatoes you choose can impact the crispiness of your hash browns. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their drier and fluffier texture, making them ideal for achieving a crispy exterior. Alternatively, Yukon potatoes are slightly smaller, with a waxy skin and less starch, resulting in crispy individual strands of potatoes.

Step 2: Peeling and Grating the Potatoes

For Russet potatoes, it is recommended to peel them before grating. However, Yukon potatoes can be peeled or left unpeeled, depending on your preference. Use a box grater or a food processor with a grating disk to grate the potatoes into shreds or strands.

Step 3: Soaking and Drying the Potatoes

After grating, place the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 10 minutes, or ideally, about 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, which can make the hash browns sticky and gummy. Drain and rinse the potatoes, then transfer them to a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to remove as much moisture as possible. Make sure to pat the potatoes dry before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4: Seasoning the Potatoes

In a large mixing bowl, season the potatoes with your choice of oil and spices. You can use vegetable oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or even refined coconut oil. For seasonings, a simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper is classic and versatile. However, feel free to experiment with other spices like paprika, rosemary, or smoked paprika to take your hash browns to the next level.

Step 5: Arranging the Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick spray or olive oil to prevent sticking. Spread the seasoned potatoes into a single, even layer in the basket. It's okay if they overlap slightly, but avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Now you are ready to air fry your hash browns according to your recipe instructions! Remember to stir or flip them halfway through the cooking process for even browning and crispiness. Enjoy your delicious, crispy hash brown potatoes!

The best potatoes for hash browns

When it comes to making the perfect hash browns, the type of potato you choose is crucial. The desired outcome is a dish with a crunchy, outer layer of browning, and this is achieved by selecting potatoes with the right amount of starch and moisture content.

Starchy vs. Waxy Potatoes

There are two main categories of potatoes: starchy and waxy. Starchy potatoes, such as Russets (also known as Idaho potatoes), have a lower moisture content and are ideal for achieving the desired crispiness in hash browns. However, they may be more prone to falling apart. On the other hand, waxy potatoes, like new potatoes, red potatoes, and Yukon Golds, have higher moisture content and will stick together better during cooking, but may not crisp up as nicely.

Tips for Choosing the Right Potato

• If you're looking for extra crispy hash browns, opt for starchy potatoes like Russets. Their lower moisture content makes them perfect for browning and crisping.
• While Yukon Golds are an all-purpose potato, they fall somewhere in the middle of the starch spectrum. They can be used for hash browns but won't yield the same crispiness as Russets.
• The skin of a potato can be a telltale sign of its starch content. Smooth-skinned potatoes, like Russets, indicate a higher starch content, while waxy potatoes tend to have textured or smooth waxy skin.
• If you're unsure about the potato varieties at the store, a good rule of thumb is to choose potatoes with textured skin, like Russets, for hash browns. If those aren't available, Yukon Golds are a suitable alternative.
• Sweet potatoes can also be used for hash browns. While they are less starchy than Russets, their low moisture content allows them to crisp up nicely when thinly sliced.

Preparing the Potatoes

Once you've selected the right type of potato, there are a few key steps to follow to ensure your hash browns turn out perfectly:

• Shred or grate the potatoes using your preferred method.
• Rinse the shredded potatoes in cold water until the water is clear to remove excess starch.
• Dry the potatoes thoroughly. This step is crucial, as moisture is the enemy of crispiness. You can use paper towels or a salad spinner to remove as much moisture as possible.
• Season the potatoes with salt and pepper, and any other desired spices, before cooking.
• If you're making hash brown patties, form the potatoes into thin, even layers before placing them in the air fryer or skillet.

By choosing the right type of potato and following these preparation tips, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, crispy hash browns that your family and friends will love!

Oil and seasoning

Oil is essential for achieving the perfect level of crispiness in your air fryer hash brown potatoes. It also adds flavour and prevents sticking. You can use a variety of oils, such as olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. The amount of oil you use will depend on your desired level of crispiness, but it is generally recommended to be generous when coating the air fryer basket and the potatoes themselves.

When it comes to seasoning, salt and pepper are the most common choices, but you can also experiment with other spices and herbs to enhance the flavour of your hash browns. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (including smoked paprika for a smoky flavour), rosemary, and cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Simply sprinkle your chosen seasonings over the potatoes before placing them in the air fryer.

Reheating and storing

Leftover hash browns can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated air fryer set to 350–370°F for 3–6 minutes.

Frequently asked questions