Air Fryer Hash Browns: Quick, Crispy, Golden Perfection

Hash browns are a popular breakfast side dish, but getting them crispy can be a challenge. Air fryers offer a simple and quick way to cook hash browns that are golden brown and crunchy. This guide will take you through the steps to make delicious hash browns using an air fryer, as well as some tips and tricks to get the best results.

Choosing the right potatoes

Type of Potatoes

The type of potatoes you choose can significantly impact the crispiness and texture of your hash browns. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their drier and fluffier texture, making them ideal for hash browns. Their higher starch content helps the potatoes crisp up nicely in the air fryer. However, Yukon Gold potatoes are also an excellent option, especially if you want to avoid peeling. Yukon Golds have a waxy skin and slightly less starch, resulting in hash browns with a crisp exterior and tender interior.

Fresh vs. 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 make hash browns from scratch, opt for fresh potatoes and follow the necessary preparation steps before air frying.

Soaking and Drying

Whether you're using fresh or frozen potatoes, removing excess starch is crucial for achieving the perfect crispness. For fresh potatoes, peel and grate them, then soak the shredded potatoes in cold water for at least 10 minutes, preferably 30 minutes. This process helps remove excess starch. After soaking, it's essential to squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to remove the excess water, and make sure the potatoes are thoroughly dried before proceeding.

Seasonings

While potatoes are the star ingredient, the right seasonings can elevate the flavour of your hash browns. Keep it classic with a simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. You can also experiment with other seasonings like paprika or herbs to add a unique twist to your dish.

Oil

Using the right type of oil is essential for achieving the perfect crispness and preventing sticking. Oils with higher smoke points, such as vegetable oil (canola oil), olive oil, avocado oil, or refined coconut oil, work best for air frying. You can also use cooking spray for even distribution and to ensure every strand of potato gets coated.

Preparing the potatoes

First, select the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are a great option as they have a drier, fluffier texture, which helps make the hash browns crispy. You can also use Yukon gold or gold potatoes; while they have a slightly higher starch content, they will still work well. Peel the potatoes, as this will ensure the hash browns have a consistent texture and appearance. However, if you are using Yukon gold potatoes, you can leave the peel on if you prefer.

Next, grate the potatoes. Use a box grater or a food processor to shred the potatoes into thin, even strips. The more consistently sized the potato strips are, the better your hash browns will cook. Once grated, place the potatoes in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Allow them to soak for at least 10 minutes, but ideally around 30 minutes. Soaking helps to remove excess starch, which can make the hash browns gummy and prevent them from crisping up.

After soaking, drain the potatoes and rinse them well. Then, transfer the shredded potatoes to a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. It's important to get them as dry as you can, as this will help them crisp up in the air fryer. Once they're dry, transfer the potatoes to a large mixing bowl.

At this point, you can season the potatoes. Drizzle them with your preferred oil—options include vegetable, olive, avocado, or coconut oil. Then, add your desired seasonings. A simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper is classic and tasty. However, feel free to get creative and experiment with other seasonings like paprika or dried herbs.

Now your potatoes are ready for the air fryer! Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then transfer the potatoes into the basket and press them down lightly to form an even, single layer. For extra crispy hash browns, spray the top of the potatoes with a little more cooking spray.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for air fryer hash browns will vary depending on whether you are using frozen or fresh potatoes, as well as the specific model of your air fryer.

For frozen hash browns, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. The cooking time will be around 10-23 minutes, depending on the desired crispiness and the model of your air fryer. It is recommended to flip the hash browns halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

If you are using fresh potatoes, it is important to first soak and rinse the grated potatoes to remove excess starch. This will help ensure crispy hash browns. Pat the potatoes dry before adding them to the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F and cook for 14-18 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.

When cooking hash browns in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that they are in a single, even layer. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to sogginess and uneven cooking. Additionally, spraying the basket and potatoes with a light coating of oil can help achieve the desired crispiness and prevent sticking.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer hash browns are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for how to enjoy them:

• As a classic breakfast side: Air fryer hash browns make a great addition to any breakfast plate. Serve them alongside eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, and fresh fruit for a well-rounded meal.
• As a dinner side: These hash browns also work well as a side dish for dinner. Pair them with meatloaf, bean chili, lentil sloppy joes, sandwiches, or a cozy soup.
• As a snack: Air fryer hash browns can be enjoyed as a quick and crispy snack on their own.
• In a casserole: Crumble the hash browns and use them as a base for a breakfast casserole.
• In a sandwich: Try using hash browns as a sandwich filling, paired with your favourite ingredients.
• With toppings: Get creative and add toppings to your hash browns such as grilled onions and peppers, bacon, cheese, sour cream, or guacamole.
• With a dipping sauce: Make the hash browns the star of the show and serve them with a dipping sauce on the side.
• With fruit: For a lighter option, serve the hash browns with fresh berries or halved citrus fruits.
• With coffee: For a simple breakfast, pair hash browns with a cup of coffee.

No matter how you serve them, air fryer hash browns are a delicious and crispy treat that can be enjoyed at any time of day.

Storing and reheating

It is not recommended to refreeze hash browns that have been previously frozen.

To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer. Set the temperature to between 350°F and 400°F and cook for about 3 to 6 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat in the oven or the microwave, but they will not get as crispy.

Frequently asked questions