Air-Fried Sweet Potato Hash Browns: Quick, Easy Breakfast!

Sweet potato hash browns are a delicious and healthy breakfast option that can be easily prepared in an air fryer. With just a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can create a crispy and flavourful dish that is perfect for a quick and convenient meal. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make sweet potato hash browns in an air fryer, including preparation tips and serving suggestions. By the end, you'll be a pro at making this tasty breakfast treat!

Preparing the sweet potatoes

Firstly, select two large sweet potatoes and peel them. The number of sweet potatoes may vary depending on the desired batch size, but for a standard batch, two large sweet potatoes should suffice. Peeling the sweet potatoes ensures that the skin doesn't affect the texture or taste of the final product.

After peeling, grate the sweet potatoes using a box grater or a hand grater with the finest setting. Grating the sweet potatoes is an essential step to create the shredded texture needed for hash browns. If you have a food processor with a shredder disk, you can also use that to quickly shred the potatoes.

Once grated, place the sweet potatoes in a bowl of very cold water. This step helps remove excess starch from the potatoes, preventing them from becoming gummy. Swirl the potatoes in the water a few times, then drain them and gently squeeze out any remaining moisture with a paper towel or your hands. Removing as much moisture as possible is crucial for achieving crispy hash browns.

Next, add the shredded sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. At this stage, you can also add other ingredients like onions or almond flour, depending on your preference. Onions add a flavorful kick to the hash browns, while almond flour can be used as a binding agent. You can grate or finely dice the onions to ensure they combine well with the sweet potatoes.

After mixing the ingredients, it's time to season the mixture. You can use various seasonings, such as salt, pepper, smoked paprika, dried dill weed, garlic powder, or thyme. Choose the seasonings that align with your taste preferences and mix them thoroughly into the sweet potato mixture.

Once the sweet potatoes are prepared and seasoned, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Follow the subsequent steps for cooking in the air fryer, and you'll have delicious, crispy sweet potato hash browns ready to be served!

Preparing the air fryer

Firstly, ensure your air fryer is clean and ready for use. If it's your first time using the appliance, refer to the manufacturer's instructions for any specific recommendations.

Before adding your ingredients, it's important to spray the inside of the air fryer basket generously with a cooking spray. This step is important as it prevents your hash browns from sticking to the surface. You can use a brand of your choice, but a good cooking spray will ensure your hash browns don't stick.

Now, let's talk about temperature. For sweet potato hash browns, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is consistent across various recipes and ensures your hash browns get that crispy texture we all love.

When your air fryer has preheated, it's time to add your ingredients. Depending on the specific recipe you're following, you'll likely have a mixture of shredded or cubed sweet potatoes, onions, spices, and other ingredients. Place this mixture into the air fryer basket, spreading it evenly in a single layer.

It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Depending on the quantity of your ingredients, you may need to cook in batches. This ensures that your hash browns cook evenly and get that desired crispy texture.

Once your ingredients are in the air fryer, you're ready to start cooking! Depending on the recipe and the desired level of crispness, the cooking time may vary between 12 to 20 minutes. However, it's important to keep an eye on your hash browns and stir or shake the basket every 5 to 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.

That's it! By following these steps, you'll have prepared your air fryer for making delicious sweet potato hash browns. Now, you can sit back, relax, and wait for that crispy, golden goodness to emerge. Enjoy your homemade treat!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking temperature for sweet potato hash browns in an air fryer should be set to 400°F (200°C). This is a consistent temperature across various recipes.

The cooking time can vary depending on the recipe and the desired level of crispiness. Some recipes suggest cooking for 12 to 16 minutes, checking and stirring after 10 minutes, and then every 3 minutes until the desired level of crispness is achieved. Other recipes recommend cooking for 20 to 30 minutes, checking the hash browns at least 3 times during the cooking process and stirring/spraying with olive oil if needed.

For sweet potato hash brown patties, the cooking time is usually around 5 minutes per side at 400°F, or until crispy and cooked through. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the patties.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that some recipes call for pre-cooking the hash browns in a pan before transferring them to the air fryer to achieve the perfect level of crispness.

Adding other ingredients

There are several ways to customise your sweet potato hash browns and make them your own. Here are some ideas for adding other ingredients:

Onions

Grated or diced onions can be added to the hash brown mixture. This adds flavour and texture to the dish. If you're concerned about the onions burning, try to cut them into thicker pieces. You can also use onion powder or green onions as a substitute.

Eggs

Eggs are a great binding agent for hash browns, helping them hold together during cooking. Simply add one or two eggs to your mixture, depending on the quantity of potatoes you're using.

Flour

A small amount of flour, such as almond or all-purpose flour, can be added to the hash brown mixture to help bind the ingredients together. Be sure to mix it well to avoid clumps.

Seasonings

There are endless possibilities when it comes to seasoning your hash browns. Smoked paprika, black pepper, dill, thyme, garlic powder, and chilli powder are all great options to enhance the flavour of your dish. You can also try using seasoning blends like everything bagel seasoning.

Bacon

Adding some crispy bacon bits to your hash browns can take them to the next level. You can cook the bacon separately and crumble it over the top, or toss it in with the sweet potatoes before air frying.

Bell Peppers

For a savoury twist, try adding some finely chopped bell peppers to your hash brown mixture. Red bell peppers will add a nice pop of colour and a subtle sweetness to the dish.

Feel free to experiment with other ingredients as well, such as Greek yoghurt, avocado slices, cilantro, or even a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Get creative and make your sweet potato hash browns truly unique!

Serving suggestions

Sweet potato hash browns made in an air fryer are a delicious breakfast or brunch option. They are best served crispy and pair well with a variety of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions:

Breakfast Options

• Eggs: Sweet potato hash browns go well with eggs, especially poached eggs or eggs benedict. You can also add a dollop of Greek yogurt on top of the hash browns for a protein boost.
• Breakfast Meat: Serve with breakfast meats such as bacon, sausage patties, or air fryer sausage.
• Breakfast Burritos: Add the hash browns to a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, cheese, and your choice of meat for a hearty breakfast on the go.
• Omelettes: Make some omelettes in the air fryer to go with the hash browns.

Lunch/Dinner Options

• Salmon: Sweet potato hash browns can be a tasty side dish for salmon, providing a crispy contrast to the fish.
• Healthy Gingerbread Loaf: For a hearty lunch, pair the hash browns with a slice of healthy gingerbread loaf.
• Air Fryer Slices: If you're a sweet potato enthusiast, try air fryer sweet potato slices as a side dish.
• Salads: Sweet potato hash browns can add a crispy element to a salad, such as a breakfast strata or casserole.

Frequently asked questions