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

Hash brown patties are a delicious breakfast treat, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy texture on the outside and soft, fluffy texture on the inside. You can cook them straight from frozen, with no need to defrost, and they'll be ready to eat in less than 15 minutes. You can also add a spritz of oil and a sprinkle of salt to taste, to make them even crispier and more flavoursome.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making hash brown patties. It ensures that your food cooks evenly and efficiently. Here's a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer for making those delicious, crispy hash brown treats:

First, set the temperature. For hash brown patties, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to around 400° Fahrenheit or 200° Celsius. This temperature will give you that perfect golden crispiness on the outside while keeping the inside nice and fluffy.

Next, let's talk about timing. Depending on your air fryer model, it can take around 5 to 6 minutes to preheat fully. So, turn on your air fryer and set the timer for 5 minutes at the desired temperature. This preheating step is crucial, so don't skip it or rush it!

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your hash brown patties. Take them straight from the freezer and arrange them in a single, even layer on a flat surface. Don't stack or overlap them, as this can lead to uneven cooking. You can also spritz a little oil on the patties and sprinkle some salt to taste, giving them that extra crispy, tasty edge.

Once the air fryer has preheated, it's time to place the basket inside. Lightly spritz the bottom of the basket with a neutral or avocado oil to prevent sticking. You can also use a paper towel or two with some oil on it to coat the basket if you don't have cooking spray.

Now, carefully place your prepared hash brown patties into the basket, ensuring they remain in a single layer with a little space between each patty. This arrangement will allow the hot air to circulate properly and cook your patties evenly.

Close the air fryer and let the magic happen! Your patties will be cooked to perfection in no time, thanks to your preheating efforts. Remember, always follow the specific instructions for your air fryer model, as cooking times and temperatures may vary slightly.

Use cooking spray

When making hash brown patties in an air fryer, using cooking spray is optional. Frozen hash brown patties already contain oil from their original cooking, so you can cook them without adding more oil. However, if you want to make them crispier, you can spritz them with a little oil using a sprayer. If you don't have a sprayer, you can put some oil on a paper towel and use that to coat the air fryer basket.

If you decide to use cooking spray, it's important to use a neutral oil spray that is safe for air fryers. Aerosolized cooking sprays can damage the coating on the air fryer basket. Avocado oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil are all good options, and you can find decent cooking spray versions of these oils to easily coat the basket.

When using cooking spray, lightly spritz the bottom of the air fryer basket before placing the hash brown patties in a single, even layer. You can also spritz the tops of the patties for a crispier texture.

Cook in a single layer

When cooking hash brown patties in an air fryer, it is important to arrange the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This is to ensure that the hot air can circulate evenly around each patty, cooking them uniformly. If the patties are stacked or overlapped, they will not cook as evenly and may end up with soft or soggy spots.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the hash brown patties in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. For example, if you are cooking four hash brown patties, you may only be able to fit three in a single layer. In this case, you would need to cook the patties in two batches, so that each patty has enough space around it for the air to circulate.

When arranging the patties in the air fryer basket, leave a little space between each one. This will help ensure that the air can circulate properly and that the patties cook evenly.

Once the patties are in a single layer in the air fryer basket, you can spritz them with a little oil if desired. This will give them an extra crispy texture. You can also season the patties with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice, before placing the basket in the air fryer.

After arranging the patties in the basket and adding any desired seasonings, place the basket in the preheated air fryer and cook according to your recipe instructions. For example, some recipes recommend cooking the patties at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, while others suggest cooking at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for a total of 12-14 minutes, flipping them once.

Flip halfway through

Flipping your hash brown patties halfway through the cooking process is an essential step in ensuring they cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness on both sides. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

After preheating your air fryer to around 400°F, it's time to cook the patties. Place your frozen hash brown patties in a single, even layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. This arrangement allows hot air to circulate around each patty, promoting even cooking.

Now, set the timer for the initial cooking duration. Depending on your desired level of crispiness, set the timer for 4 to 10 minutes. If you're unsure, start with a shorter duration, as you can always add more time later. Once the timer goes off, it's time to flip!

Open the air fryer and use a plastic spatula or plastic-tipped tongs to carefully flip each hash brown patty. Close the air fryer again and set the timer for the remaining cooking time, typically 4 to 8 minutes for a total cooking time of around 8 to 15 minutes.

Keep a close eye on your patties during the final minutes of cooking. You're aiming for a golden, crispy exterior. Once they've reached your desired level of doneness, carefully remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Remember, every air fryer is unique, so don't be afraid to adjust the cooking time and temperature slightly to suit your particular model. Enjoy your freshly cooked hash brown patties!

Season to taste

Seasoning your hash brown patties is a great way to add extra flavour to your breakfast. You can season your hash browns either before or after air frying them.

If you want to season your hash browns before air frying, place them in a single layer in the basket of your preheated air fryer and sprinkle with your chosen seasoning. You can also spritz them with a little oil first, which will make them crispier.

If you want to season your hash browns after cooking, transfer them to a plate and season to taste.

Some seasoning suggestions include:

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Chilli powder

Frequently asked questions