Air-Fryer Corned Beef Hash: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Canned corned beef hash is a convenient, tasty meal that can be made even better with an air fryer. While it's usually served as a side dish or cooked with a fried egg on top, it can be a delicious breakfast or brunch meal on its own. The best part about canned corned beef hash is that it's already cooked, so you're just reheating it and making it crispy. Air fryers are perfect for this because they cook food evenly and make it crispy without the need for oils or butter.

Preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Not only does it ensure your food cooks evenly, but it also helps to achieve the desired level of crispiness.

For cooking canned corned beef hash, you should preheat your air fryer to a temperature within the range of 375-400°F (190-200°C). This temperature range is ideal for getting that crispy texture that corned beef hash is famous for.

Different air fryer models may have varying preheat settings, so it's always a good idea to consult your air fryer's manual for specific instructions. However, the general process involves turning on the air fryer and setting the desired temperature.

Once the air fryer reaches the set temperature, it will typically make a sound or display an indicator light to let you know it's ready for cooking. This preheating process usually takes just a few minutes, depending on your air fryer's model and specifications.

After preheating, you can proceed with placing the corned beef hash in the air fryer basket, spreading it out evenly, and following the remaining cooking instructions for a delicious, crispy treat.

Prepare the air fryer basket

To prepare the air fryer basket, first line the bottom and sides of the basket with foil. You can then spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the corned beef hash in the basket, spreading it out evenly.

If you are adding eggs to your hash, you will need to make some wells in the mixture before adding them. Carefully break an egg into each well and cook until the eggs are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Cook for 10 minutes

Now it's time to cook your canned corned beef hash! Place your corned beef hash in the air fryer basket, ensuring it is evenly spread out. If you are adding eggs, you will need to make a small well in the hash for each egg. However, if you are not adding eggs, you can cook the hash directly in the basket without the need for a cake tin or container.

Set your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or 400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on your model) and cook for 10 minutes. Remember to shake the basket halfway through to prevent the hash from burning and ensure even cooking.

At this point, you can increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the hash is crispy and golden brown. The total cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispiness.

If you are adding eggs, create a well in the hash and crack an egg into each well. Cook for a further 3-5 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked to your preferred doneness.

And that's it! Your canned corned beef hash is now ready to be served and enjoyed.

Increase the temperature and cook for another 5 minutes

Once you've cooked your hash for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, it's time to increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for another 5 minutes. This additional cooking time at a higher temperature is what will give your corned beef hash that desirable crispy texture.

Depending on your desired level of crispiness, you may want to cook it for a little longer. Keep an eye on it, as you don't want it to burn. The corned beef is already cooked, so you're simply aiming for the right texture.

If you're adding eggs, now is the time to do it. Make a small well in the hash and carefully crack an egg into it. Cook for around 3-5 minutes or until the eggs are cooked to your liking.

If you're not adding eggs, you can serve the hash as it is, or add some extra vegetables like diced peppers, tomatoes, or mushrooms. You could also replace the corned beef with leftover cooked sausage, black pudding, or chorizo for a different flavour.

Serve with eggs

To serve corned beef hash with eggs, you can either cook the eggs in the hash or separately.

Cooking Eggs in the Hash

First, make 2-4 wells in the hash and carefully crack an egg into each well. For eggs cooked sunny-side up, cook for 3-5 minutes or until the eggs are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Cooking Eggs Separately

If you prefer, you can cook the eggs separately in a pan. To do this, heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil. Carefully crack the eggs into the pan and cook until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny, or until the eggs are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Tips

• Corned beef hash is typically served for breakfast or brunch, but it can also be a quick and easy weeknight meal.
• If you want a less salty dish, use low-sodium canned corned beef and be sparing with any additional salt you add.
• If you want a crispier hash, increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• For a more substantial meal, serve the corned beef hash and eggs with baked beans and a slice of toasted bread.

Frequently asked questions