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

Hash browns are a breakfast favourite, but getting them crispy can be a challenge. Enter the air fryer. This handy kitchen appliance can make your hash browns extra crispy, with minimal effort and mess. Plus, it's a healthier alternative to deep-frying or using a significant amount of oil in a frying pan. In this article, we'll teach you how to make perfect hash browns in your air fryer, with tips on getting them crispy, the best type of potatoes to use, and more.

Choosing the right potatoes

When making hash browns, the goal is usually to get them as crispy as possible. To do this, you'll want to use a potato variety with a high starch content and low moisture content.

Starchy vs Waxy Potatoes

There are two main categories of potatoes: starchy and waxy. Starchy potatoes, such as Russets (also known as Idaho potatoes), have a lower moisture content and are ideal for achieving a crispy, browned texture. Waxy potatoes, on the other hand, have a higher moisture content and tend to hold their shape better, but won't crisp up as nicely.

The Best Potato Varieties for Hash Browns

For the perfect hash browns, opt for starchy potatoes like Russets. These potatoes will give you those coveted crispy, lacy edges. If you can't find Russets, Yukon Golds are a suitable alternative. They fall somewhere in the middle of the starch spectrum, so they won't yield the same level of crispness as Russets, but they'll still make decent hash browns.

Preparing the Potatoes

To ensure your hash browns are extra crispy, it's essential to remove as much moisture as possible from the potatoes before cooking. You can do this by rinsing the grated potatoes until the water is clear, then draining and squeezing out the excess liquid. Additionally, consider using a potato ricer, orange or lemon press, or a tea towel to extract more moisture from the potatoes.

Preparing the potatoes

Choosing the Right Potatoes

Select the right type of potatoes for the best results. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their drier and fluffier texture, making them ideal for hash browns. Alternatively, Yukon Gold potatoes are also a great option as they have slightly less starch, resulting in crispier hash browns.

Grating the Potatoes

Peel the potatoes and grate them using a box grater or a food processor. If you use a box grater, opt for the largest grating side. This step will create the shredded potato texture needed for hash browns.

Soaking the Potatoes

Once you have grated the potatoes, transfer them to a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Let them soak for at least 10 minutes, but ideally around 30 minutes. Soaking helps remove excess starch, which is crucial for achieving crispy hash browns.

Drying the Potatoes

After soaking, drain and rinse the potatoes thoroughly. Transfer the shredded potatoes to a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. It is important to get them as dry as you can before the next step.

Seasoning the Potatoes

Place the dried potatoes in a large mixing bowl and season them with your desired spices. You can use a simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, or get creative with other seasonings like paprika or parsley. Don't be afraid to experiment and find your perfect combination!

Layering in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 350-370°F. Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Layer the seasoned potatoes in the basket, ensuring they are in a thin, even layer. It is okay if they overlap slightly, but avoid creating large hills of potatoes.

Now you are ready to air fry your hash browns! Follow the cooking instructions provided by your air fryer, stirring the potatoes gently halfway through the cooking process. Enjoy your delicious, crispy hash browns as a side dish or a tasty breakfast treat!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for making hash browns in an air fryer will depend on whether you are using fresh or frozen hash browns, and whether you are cooking hash brown patties or shredded hash browns.

If you are using frozen hash brown patties, cook them for 10-12 minutes at 400°F. If you want them extra crispy, cook them for an additional 2-4 minutes. You can also flip them halfway through the cooking time.

If you are making hash brown patties from scratch, form the mixture into patties and then air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

For frozen shredded hash browns, cook for a total of 23 minutes at 370°F, flipping and spritzing them with oil for the last 5 minutes. You can also flip them with 5 minutes left so that they cook evenly.

If you are making shredded hash browns from scratch, air fry at 360°F for 14-18 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.

Adding flavour

While the simplicity of the air fryer hash brown recipe is appealing, you may want to add some extra flavour to your dish. Here are some ideas to elevate your hash browns:

Seasonings

A simple way to add flavour is to use seasonings. In addition to salt and pepper, you can try garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or parsley. These seasonings can be added before or after cooking the hash browns in the air fryer. If you want a more subtle flavour, add the seasonings before cooking, allowing them to cook into the potatoes. For a stronger flavour, sprinkle the seasonings on top of the cooked hash browns.

Fresh Herbs and Spices

Chopped fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or green onions can add a bright, fresh flavour to your hash browns. You can also try adding some spice with diced jalapeños or other peppers. Fresh ingredients like these can be added after cooking, providing a colourful and tasty garnish to your dish.

Cheese

Cheese is always a delicious addition to potatoes. Try sprinkling shredded cheese on top of your hash browns before serving. Cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of Italian cheeses would all work well. You could even make a cheese sauce to pour over the hash browns for an extra indulgent treat.

Bacon

Crispy bacon bits are a classic breakfast side dish and would pair perfectly with air fryer hash browns. Cook some bacon until crispy, and then chop it into small pieces. Sprinkle the bacon bits on top of your hash browns, or mix them in for a savoury treat.

Dips and Sauces

Serve your hash browns with a variety of dips and sauces to elevate your breakfast or brunch. Ketchup, hot sauce, syrup, sour cream, or guacamole would all make tasty accompaniments to your crispy potatoes. You could even get creative and make a special sauce, like a spicy mayo or a creamy herb dip.

Serving suggestions

Hash browns are a versatile dish that can be served at any meal. They are a great side dish, especially for breakfast, and can be paired with a variety of foods. Here are some serving suggestions:

Breakfast

Hash browns are a popular breakfast side dish, often served with eggs. They can be paired with scrambled, fried, poached, or boiled eggs, and the combination of hash browns and eggs creates the quintessential American breakfast. For a heartier breakfast, you can make a breakfast sandwich with English muffins, sausage, and egg, or use hash browns instead of bread. Another option is a Croque Madame, where you spread a mixture of mayo and Dijon mustard on a hash brown, top it with ham and grated cheese, and then broil it. Finish it off with a poached or fried egg.

Hash browns also go well with breakfast meats such as bacon, ham, and sausage. You can sandwich a slab of ham between two hash browns, adding a bit of mayo for extra flavour. The combination of hash browns with smoky and salty bacon or savoury sausage is a great way to start your day.

For a Mexican-themed breakfast, you can make hash brown nachos by topping your hash browns with chilli, cheese, pico de gallo, avocados, and jalapenos. You can also cut hash browns into bite-sized pieces and add them to a breakfast burrito or quesadilla.

If you're looking for something sweet to pair with your hash browns, French toast is a great option. The sugary and cinnamon notes of the French toast create an exciting contrast with the salty, crispy hash browns.

For a lighter breakfast option, you can serve hash browns with Greek yogurt topped with fresh fruit, or with a refreshing hot beverage like coffee or hot chocolate.

Lunch and Dinner

Hash browns can also be served as a side dish for lunch or dinner. They go well with meat dishes such as corned beef, pot roast, or meatloaf. The starchiness of the hash browns complements the saltiness of the meat. You can also top your hash browns with last night's pot roast and ladle over some gravy for a filling feast.

Hash browns can also be used as a pizza crust. Top them with marinara sauce, pepperoni, ham, and mozzarella, and then broil until the cheese melts. You can also top regular pizza dough with your favourite toppings and uncooked hash browns, and bake until the crust is golden brown.

Other side dishes that pair well with hash browns include stuffed mushrooms, sausage and veggies, Brussels sprouts with bacon, grilled cheese sandwiches, and oven-roasted tomatoes.

So, whether you're enjoying hash browns for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from!

Frequently asked questions