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

Air fryer hash browns are a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast side dish. They are also a great snack and can be served with a variety of toppings and sauces. Making hash browns in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it requires less oil, and they turn out crispier than cooking them on a stove.

Choosing the right potatoes

Type of Potatoes

The type of potatoes you choose will impact the final texture and crispiness of your hash browns. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their drier and fluffier texture, which makes them ideal for achieving that crispy exterior. Their higher starch content also helps the strands stick together, making them suitable for hash brown patties. However, if you prefer individual crispy potato strands, Yukon Gold potatoes are a better option. They are slightly smaller, with a waxy skin and less starch, resulting in hash browns that are crispier and have better strand separation.

Fresh or Frozen

When it comes to convenience, frozen hash browns are a great option as they are readily available and save you the effort of shredding and preparing fresh potatoes. Look for frozen hash browns that have potatoes as the only ingredient, ensuring they are free from unnecessary additives and preservatives. However, if you prefer to start from scratch, fresh potatoes can be peeled, grated, and prepared as per the recipe instructions.

Soaking and Drying

Whether you use fresh or frozen potatoes, removing excess starch is crucial for achieving the perfect crispiness. For fresh potatoes, soak the shredded potatoes in cold water for at least 10 minutes, and ideally up to 30 minutes. This process helps remove excess starch. After soaking, it's important to squeeze out as much excess water as possible using a lint-free kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Make sure to pat the potatoes dry before proceeding with the recipe.

Oil and Seasonings

The right oil and seasonings can enhance the flavour and crispiness of your air fryer hash browns. While olive oil is a popular choice, other options such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil will also work well. As for seasonings, keep it simple with salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. These basic seasonings will allow you to create versatile hash browns that can be paired with various dishes.

Preparing the potatoes

First, select the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are a great option as they have a drier, fluffier texture, which makes them ideal for crispy hash browns. Alternatively, you can use Yukon gold potatoes, which are smaller and have a waxy skin. If you're using Yukon gold potatoes, you can choose to peel them or leave the skin on. For Russet potatoes, it's best to peel them.

Once you've selected your potatoes, it's time to grate them. Use a box grater or a food processor to shred the potatoes into thin, even strips. If you're using a box grater, go for the largest grating side. After grating, place the shredded potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Let them soak for at least 10 minutes, but preferably about 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch and prevents the hash browns from becoming sticky or gummy.

After soaking, drain and rinse the potatoes well. Transfer them to a clean lint-free kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. It's important to get them as dry as you can before the next step. Once they're sufficiently dry, transfer the potatoes to a large mixing bowl.

Now it's time to season the potatoes. Drizzle some oil over the potatoes and add your desired seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or add some garlic powder and onion powder for extra flavour. Give the potatoes a good mix to ensure they're evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

At this point, your potatoes are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. Then, spread the potatoes in an even layer in the basket, lightly pressing them down to form a single, flattened layer. If desired, you can spray the top of the potatoes with a bit more cooking spray for extra crispness.

Now, you're ready to air fry your hash browns! Set the 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. Cook the hash browns for about 14 to 23 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispness. For best results, stir or flip the hash browns halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

And that's it! You've successfully prepared the potatoes for air fryer hash browns. Now you can enjoy delicious, crispy hash browns as a side dish or a tasty breakfast treat.

Adding seasoning

When it comes to seasoning, a simple blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder can enhance the flavour of your hash browns without overwhelming the natural taste of the potatoes. You can also experiment with other spices like paprika or herbs like parsley or chives to add a unique twist to your dish.

The type of salt you use can make a difference as well. If you're using kosher salt, for instance, you may need to increase the amount to about 3/4 to 1 teaspoon, whereas a smaller quantity of regular salt will suffice.

Additionally, seasoning your hash browns is not just about the spices and herbs. Oil plays a vital role in both the taste and texture of your hash browns. Avocado oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, and canola oil are all excellent choices. Coconut oil is also an option, but be aware that it might impart a hint of coconut flavour to your dish.

The technique for adding oil is also important. Spraying the hash browns with oil, either before or during the air-frying process, helps to ensure even distribution and prevents the potatoes from drying out.

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and adjust the seasoning to your taste. You can always add more spices or herbs, but it's difficult to remove them if you've added too much. Start with a smaller amount and taste-test your hash browns before deciding if you need to add more.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to find the right balance between enhancing the natural flavours of the potatoes and adding your own unique twist. Happy cooking!

Cooking in the air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to make hash browns that are crispy and golden brown. They are also a healthier option than deep-frying, as they use much less oil. The air fryer method is also much faster than oven-baked hash browns, taking only about half the time.

When cooking hash browns in an air fryer, it is best to use frozen shredded hash browns. Spread the hash browns in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. You can spray the hash browns with cooking oil and sprinkle them with seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.

Preheat your air fryer to between 350˚F and 400˚F. The cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer model, but it should take around 10-23 minutes for the hash browns to be fully cooked. Flip the hash browns halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

If you are making hash browns from scratch, start by peeling and grating the potatoes. Soak the shredded potatoes in cold water for at least 10 minutes to remove the excess starch, then squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Pat the potatoes dry, add seasonings, and transfer them to the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the top of the hash browns with cooking spray and air fry at 360˚F for 14-18 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.

Tips for Air Frying Hash Browns:

• Use frozen shredded hash browns for best results.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Spread the hash browns in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
• Flip the hash browns halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.
• If using fresh potatoes, be sure to soak and dry them thoroughly to remove excess starch and prevent sogginess.
• Spray the hash browns with oil to help them crisp up and prevent sticking.

Storing and reheating

When you're ready to reheat your hash browns, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F to 370°F for about 3 to 6 minutes, and they'll be hot and crispy again.

If you want to freeze your hash browns for longer storage, let them cool completely, then transfer them to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Break them into single servings, if desired, and place them in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours or until frozen solid. After that, transfer the hash browns to a freezer bag or airtight container, where they'll stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Reheating frozen hash browns is just as easy as reheating refrigerated ones. Put them directly into the air fryer at 360°F for 5 to 8 minutes, and they'll be hot and crispy once more.

Frequently asked questions