Air Fryer Hash Browns: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Hash browns are a popular breakfast side dish, but they can be soggy, greasy, and time-consuming to make. However, using an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to achieve crispy and golden brown hash browns. This guide will teach you how to make delicious hash browns in an air fryer, with tips on ingredients, preparation, cooking, and storage.

Choosing the right potatoes

• Potato Variety: The most common types of potatoes used for hash browns are Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes. Russet potatoes have a drier and fluffier texture, making them ideal for hash browns as they can form a crispy outer layer. Yukon Gold potatoes, on the other hand, are slightly smaller with a waxy skin. They contain less starch than Russets, resulting in hash browns with more separated strands that get crispier.
• Fresh vs. Frozen: You can choose to use either fresh or frozen potatoes for your hash browns. Fresh potatoes will require more preparation, such as peeling, grating, and soaking to remove excess starch. Frozen hash browns are convenient as they are already prepared and can be cooked directly from the freezer. However, fresh potatoes will give you more control over the ingredients and the final texture.
• Starch Content: The starch content in potatoes can affect the crispiness of your hash browns. High-starch potatoes, like Russets, can help the strands stick together, making them ideal for hash brown patties. On the other hand, low-starch potatoes, like Yukon Golds, will yield hash browns with more individual crispy strands. Soaking or rinsing your potatoes can also help reduce their starch content and improve crispiness.
• Size and Shape: When making hash browns from scratch, consider the size and shape of your potatoes. Larger potatoes will yield more hash browns, but ensure you have a grater or food processor that can handle the volume. Also, think about the shape you want for your hash browns. For patties, grate or shred the potatoes into thin, even strands. For a more rustic texture, you can cut the potatoes into small cubes or chunks.
• Taste and Seasoning: Different types of potatoes have distinct flavours that can enhance your hash browns. Russet potatoes have a more neutral flavour, making them versatile and suitable for various seasonings. Yukon Gold potatoes, on the other hand, have a naturally buttery taste that can add richness to your dish. Consider the seasonings you plan to use and choose a potato variety that will complement those flavours.

Remember, the key to choosing the right potatoes for your air fryer hash browns is understanding the characteristics of different varieties and how they will affect the taste, texture, and cooking process. By selecting the right type of potatoes, you can ensure your hash browns turn out crispy, golden, and delicious every time!

Preparing the potatoes

Select the Right Potatoes

When making hash browns in an air fryer, it's important to choose the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their drier and fluffier texture. They have a harder brown skin compared to other varieties. Alternatively, Yukon Gold potatoes are also a great option as they have slightly less starch, resulting in crispier hash browns.

Peel and Grate the Potatoes

Before grating the potatoes, it's recommended to peel them first. This ensures that the skin doesn't end up in your hash browns. You can use a box grater or a food processor to grate the potatoes. If you're using a box grater, go for the largest grating side.

Soak the Potatoes

Once you've grated the potatoes, it's essential to soak them in cold water for at least 10 minutes, but preferably around 30 minutes. This process helps remove excess starch and ensures that your hash browns won't be sticky or gummy. After soaking, drain and rinse the potatoes well.

Dry the Potatoes

After soaking and rinsing, it's crucial to remove as much moisture as possible from the potatoes. Transfer the shredded potatoes to a clean lint-free kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out any remaining water. Make sure to pat the potatoes dry before moving on to the next step.

Season the Potatoes

Now it's time to add some flavour to your hash browns! Season the potatoes with your choice of oil, such as vegetable oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. Then, add your preferred seasonings. A simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper is a classic option, but you can also experiment with other spices like paprika or ground black pepper.

Form the Potatoes into Patties (Optional)

If you prefer your hash browns in patty form, this is the step to do it. Squeeze out any remaining water from the seasoned potatoes and form them into patties. You can do this by hand or use a mould to ensure uniform size and shape.

Air Frying Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, which can range from 350°F to 400°F, depending on your preference and the model of your air fryer. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking, and then place the potatoes or patties inside, ensuring they are in a single layer with no overlap.

Cooking time can vary depending on the model of your air fryer and your desired level of crispiness, but generally, it should take around 10-20 minutes. For extra crispy hash browns, consider adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Don't forget to flip the potatoes or patties halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

And that's it! You're well on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy hash browns made right in your air fryer.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking temperature and time for hash browns in an air fryer will depend on whether you are using fresh or frozen hash browns, and whether you are cooking them as a patty or in shredded form.

For frozen hash brown patties, cook at 380°F (194°C) for 10 minutes, then flip each one and cook for another 6-8 minutes. If you like your hash browns a little darker, add a minute or two. If you like them a little softer, remove them a minute or two earlier.

For frozen shredded hash browns, cook at 370°F for 23 minutes. After about 18 minutes of cooking, flip and move the hash browns around, spritzing them with a little more oil.

For fresh shredded hash browns, cook at 350°F for a total of 20 minutes. After 10 minutes, use a spatula to divide the hash browns into four equal sections and flip each section carefully. Then cook for another 10 minutes.

If you are cooking fresh hash browns as a patty, cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through. For crispier patties, add an additional 2-4 minutes of cooking time.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer hash browns are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Breakfast Side Dish: Hash browns are a classic breakfast item and can be served alongside eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, and fresh fruit. For a vegetarian option, try silken tofu scrambled eggs or a vegan tofu quiche.
• Dinner Side Dish: Hash browns also make a great side dish for dinner. Pair them with meatloaf, bean chilli, lentil sloppy joes, jackfruit pulled pork sandwiches, or a cozy soup.
• Casserole: Crumble the hash browns and use them as a base for a casserole. Add your favourite ingredients, such as cheese, vegetables, or meat, and bake until golden.
• Sandwich: Hash browns can also be served in a sandwich. Try them with a fried egg, bacon, and cheese for a hearty breakfast sandwich.
• Dipping Sauce: Enjoy your hash browns with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ketchup, syrup, hot sauce, sour cream, or guacamole.
• Toppings: Add some extra flavour and texture to your hash browns by topping them with grilled onions and peppers, bacon, cheese, fresh fruit, or avocado.
• Main Course: Make the hash browns the star of the show by loading them up with toppings and serving them as a main course. Try shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, bacon bits, hot sauce, or guacamole.

Storing and reheating instructions

Leftover hash browns can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply place them back into the air fryer at 350–370°F for 3–6 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy.

If you wish to freeze your hash browns, let them cool completely, then transfer them to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. For convenient storing, it is recommended to break the hash browns into single servings. Place the potatoes in the freezer and flash freeze for 1 to 2 hours, or until frozen solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen at 360°F for 5–8 minutes, or until hot and crispy.

Frequently asked questions