Hash browns are a breakfast staple, but making them at home can be a hassle. That's where the air fryer comes in—it's a quick, easy, and mess-free way to cook hash browns, and they come out perfectly crispy every time! All you need are frozen hash browns and a little oil, and you're good to go. This method is also healthier than pan-frying, as it uses less oil.
How to Make Frozen Hash Browns in an Air Fryer
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Cook Time | 10-18 minutes |
Total Time | 13-23 minutes |
Prep Time | 2-5 minutes |
Serving | 2-7 servings |
Temperature | 375-400°F (194-200°C) |
Oil | Avocado, Olive, Vegetable, or Canola |
Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika |
Hash Brown Type | Shredded or Patties |
What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F/194-200°C
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in achieving the perfect crispiness for your hash browns. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to manually preheat it by turning it on for a few minutes, or you can simply set it to 380°F - 400°F/194°C - 200°C and let it heat up to the desired temperature. This step ensures that your air fryer is nice and hot when you're ready to cook, promoting even cooking and browning of your hash browns.
While your air fryer is preheating, you can take this time to prepare your hash browns. Take them out of their packaging and spread them out on a clean, dry surface. If you're using frozen hash brown patties, it's best to keep them frozen until you're ready to cook. This helps them maintain their structure and ensures they don't become soggy.
If you want your hash browns to be extra crispy, you can lightly spray them with cooking oil or use a brush to apply a thin layer of oil. You can also season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or any other seasonings of your choice. However, if your hash browns are pre-seasoned, be sure to taste before adding more salt.
Once your air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you're ready to cook your hash browns! Place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they're not overcrowded. This allows for proper airflow and even cooking. If needed, cook your hash browns in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Now, simply follow the remaining steps in your chosen recipe, and you'll have perfectly crispy and delicious hash browns to enjoy!
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Use frozen shredded hash browns to avoid sogginess
Using frozen shredded hash browns is a great way to ensure your hash browns are crispy and not soggy. This is because frozen hash browns contain less moisture, and the drier they are, the crispier they will be.
Frozen shredded hash browns are also a convenient option as they can be cooked straight from frozen. This means there is no need to spend time thawing them, and you can simply season and cook them in your air fryer.
To ensure your hash browns are extra crispy, it is recommended to use a generous amount of oil when cooking. This will help to ensure the potatoes are dry and will also prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
When cooking frozen shredded hash browns in an air fryer, it is also important not to overcrowd the basket. This will ensure that the potatoes cook evenly and have a chance to get crispy. If you are cooking a large batch, it is best to cook them in multiple batches.
By following these simple tips, you can easily avoid sogginess and enjoy perfectly crispy hash browns from your air fryer!
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Use cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking
To prevent your hash browns from sticking to the air fryer, you can use cooking spray or oil.
If using cooking spray, spritz the air fryer basket with a little cooking spray. You can also spritz the hash browns with cooking spray before placing them in the air fryer. If you don't have cooking spray, you can put some avocado oil on a paper towel and use that to coat the air fryer basket.
If using oil, you can coat the air fryer basket and the potatoes with oil. You can also spray the hash browns with oil when you turn them halfway through cooking to get them even crispier.
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Cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking halfway through
When it comes to cooking your hash browns, you'll want to aim for a nice, even crisp. This means taking a few simple but important steps.
First, make sure that your air fryer is preheated to the correct temperature. This is usually around 375-400°F (194-200°C). You should also ensure that your hash browns are in a single layer inside the fryer basket, with a little space between each one. This is important because it allows the air to circulate properly, ensuring that your hash browns cook evenly.
After placing the hash browns in the basket, close the air fryer and let them cook for about 10-15 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time—at the 5-7 minute mark—open the air fryer and give the basket a good shake or, using a spatula or tongs, flip the hash browns. This will help ensure that they cook evenly on both sides.
Once the hash browns have cooked for the full 10-15 minutes, they should be nice and crispy. However, if you prefer your hash browns a little darker, you can always add another minute or two to the cooking time. On the other hand, if you like them a little softer, simply remove them a minute or two early.
And that's it! By following these simple steps, you'll have perfectly cooked, crispy hash browns that are perfect for breakfast or any other meal.
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Season while hot from the air fryer
Seasoning your hash browns while they're hot from the air fryer is an important step in achieving the perfect flavour and texture. By seasoning them straight after cooking, you allow the flavours to absorb into the crispy, golden potatoes.
There are a variety of seasonings you can use to elevate your hash browns. A simple combination of salt and pepper is a classic option, but you can also get creative and experiment with other spices. Some popular choices include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add some fresh herbs or a dash of your favourite hot sauce for an extra kick.
When seasoning your hash browns, be sure to taste as you go to ensure you don't over-season them. It's also important to check the packaging of your frozen hash browns to see if they are pre-seasoned. If they already contain salt or other spices, you may want to adjust the amount of additional seasoning you add.
Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to do it while your hash browns are still hot. This way, the spices will stick to the potatoes and enhance their flavour. So, once your hash browns are done cooking, don't wait too long before adding your favourite seasonings and digging in!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 8-12 minutes to cook frozen hash browns in an air fryer.
Set your air fryer to 380°F (194°C) for the most wonderfully crispy and warm hash brown patties.
No, it is best to cook hash browns from frozen. Defrosting them can make them soggy.
Yes, you can add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to your hash browns.